వనవాసం చేయలేరు, వంగి వంగి తిరుగలేరు
vanavasam cheyaleru, vangi vangi tirugaleru
They cannot live in the forest, and they cannot stoop down and move around.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely picky or demanding. It refers to someone who is unwilling to endure hardships (the forest life) but also refuses to humble themselves or work hard in a civilized society (bowing down). It characterizes someone who finds fault in every situation and lacks the flexibility to adapt.
Related Phrases
రాముని వంటి రాజు, రావణుని వంటి వైరి లేరు.
ramuni vanti raju, ravanuni vanti vairi leru.
There is no king like Rama, and no enemy like Ravana.
This expression highlights the extremes of quality and character. It is used to describe a situation where one encounters either the absolute best example of something (symbolized by Lord Rama's ideal kingship) or the most formidable and powerful opposition (symbolized by Ravana's strength as an adversary).
నంగి వంగలు మేస్తే నారికేళాలు దూడ మేసినది అన్నాడట.
nangi vangalu meste narikelalu duda mesinadi annadata.
" When the Nangi ate up the brinjals, the calf ate up the cocoanuts" said he. A certain Śūdra named Vēṇu before going on a pilgrimage delivered over charge of his brinjal garden to a Komati called Kustumbha. When he returned and applied for his garden his friend told him that the Nangi had eaten up all the brinjals. Vēṇu knew that no such animal existed, but remained quiet and waited his opportunity to pay off the Kōmati. Shortly afterwards Kustumbha required a man to watch his cocoanut garden and engaged Vēṇu for this work. The Śūdra sold all the cocoa- nuts and appropriated the proceeds. On being questioned by the Komati, Vēṇu told him that the calf had eaten all the cocoanuts. "How is that?" asked Kustumbha, "How could it reach them?" "Oh" replied Vēṇu "When the Nangi ate the brinjals could not the calf eat the cocoanuts?" The Komati, knowing his own dishonesty, could give no answer.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone exaggerates a simple fact into something impossible or absurd. It highlights how rumors or stories grow wildly out of proportion as they are passed along, or how someone tries to cover up a small truth with a massive lie.
అదేమి రెడ్డి వంగి వంగి నడుస్తావంటే, ఎప్పటికాల్లు అట్టెట్టే అన్నాడట
ademi reddi vangi vangi nadustavante, eppatikallu attette annadata
"What is it that makes you limp, Reddi?" asked one. "My old leg is the same as ever," he replied. Habit.
This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to hide their current weakness, failure, or physical decline by pretending it is their normal state or a long-standing habit. It mocks those who are too proud to admit they have changed for the worse or are struggling, choosing instead to offer silly excuses to maintain their ego.
దేవుడు చెరిపిన ఇల్లు దేవాంగి చెరుపుతాడు
devudu cheripina illu devangi cheruputadu
A house ruined by God will be further ruined by a spider.
This proverb describes a situation where someone who is already suffering from great misfortune or divine ill-fate is further troubled by a small, insignificant person or minor problem. It is used when a person in a weak position is bullied or exploited by someone even less powerful.
మనసున నాటిన మాటలు చెరపలేరు
manasuna natina matalu cherapaleru
Words planted in the heart cannot be erased
This expression highlights the lasting impact of words. Whether they are hurtful or kind, once words deeply affect someone's emotions or psyche, they leave an indelible mark that cannot be easily forgotten or undone.
వంగిన వాని కింద మరీ వంగితే, పట్టెడలు తగులుతాయి.
vangina vani kinda mari vangite, pattedalu tagulutayi.
If you bend even lower under someone who is already bent, your joints will be hit.
This proverb warns against excessive submissiveness or trying to be overly humble with someone who is already yielding. It implies that being too accommodating or sycophantic can lead to unnecessary trouble or physical/metaphorical injury. It is used to advise people to maintain their dignity and boundaries.
రూకలేని వాడు పోక చేయలేడు.
rukaleni vadu poka cheyaledu.
A person without a coin cannot even buy a betel nut.
This proverb highlights the importance of money for even the smallest tasks or necessities. It suggests that without financial resources, one's ability to act or progress in the world is severely limited, emphasizing that money is a fundamental requirement for basic transactions.
అదేమిటి రెడ్డీ, వంగివంగి నడుస్తావంటే, ఎప్పటికాల్లో అన్నాడట.
ademiti reddi, vangivangi nadustavante, eppatikallo annadata.
When asked, 'Why are you walking so bent, Reddy?', he replied, 'It is an old habit (of this leg).'
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to hide their current weakness, failure, or decline by pretending it is an old habit or a choice. It mocks people who give silly excuses to cover up their present helpless situation or mistakes rather than admitting the truth.
భక్తి వచ్చినా పట్టలేరు, పగ వచ్చినా పట్టలేరు
bhakti vachchina pattaleru, paga vachchina pattaleru
They cannot control their devotion, nor can they control their enmity.
This expression is used to describe people who are extreme and impulsive in their emotions. Whether they love someone (devotion) or hate someone (enmity), they go to such extremes that it becomes overwhelming or unmanageable for others around them. It highlights a lack of moderation in temperament.
బంగీ తిన్న కోతివలె తిరుగుతాడు
bangi tinna kotivale tirugutadu
He runs about like a Bhanged monkey.
This expression is used to describe someone who is acting erratically, behaving in a confused or dizzy manner, or wandering around aimlessly without any sense of direction or purpose. It is often applied to people who are hyperactive or behaving strangely as if they are under an intoxication or high.