వండుకోవడం చేతకానిమ్మకు దండుకోవడం చేతవ్వాలి
vandukovadam chetakanimmaku dandukovadam chetavvali
If a woman doesn't know how to cook, she should know how to collect/gather.
This proverb suggests that if someone lacks a primary skill (like cooking in a traditional household context), they should at least possess a secondary survival skill or resourcefulness (like gathering food or managing wealth) to compensate. It is used to mock someone who is incompetent in basic duties but also fails to be useful in any other way.
Related Phrases
చెడపడానికి ఒక్క చేటెడు బుద్ధి చాలు
chedapadaniki okka chetedu buddhi chalu
A winnowing basket full of bad intelligence is enough to ruin everything.
This expression is used to describe how a small amount of foolishness, negative influence, or bad advice is sufficient to cause significant destruction or failure. It highlights that while building something takes effort, ruining it requires very little.
అత్తసొమ్ము అల్లుడు దానం చేసినట్లు
attasommu alludu danam chesinatlu
Like a son-in-law donating his mother-in-law's property.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is being generous or charitable with someone else's resources or money rather than their own. It highlights the hypocrisy of taking credit for a sacrifice that doesn't actually cost the giver anything.
కుండలు, చేటలు లేవని వండుకు తినడం మానుకుంటామా?
kundalu, chetalu levani vanduku tinadam manukuntama?
Do we stop cooking and eating just because we lack pots and winnowing fans?
This expression is used to emphasize that one should not stop essential work or give up on their goals just because of a lack of resources or minor inconveniences. It suggests finding alternatives and proceeding with what is necessary for survival or progress despite obstacles.
పాత చేటకు పూత అందం
pata chetaku puta andam
An old winnowing tray looks beautiful with a fresh coating.
This proverb suggests that even old or worn-out things can be made to look attractive with a little bit of decoration or a new layer of paint. It is often used to describe how makeup or new clothes can enhance a person's appearance, or how superficial improvements can hide the age or flaws of an object.
మేతకేగాని చేతకు పనికిరాడు
metakegani chetaku panikiradu
Good for eating, but useless for work.
This expression is used to describe a lazy person who is always ready to consume resources or eat but avoids doing any physical work or taking responsibility. It is often used to criticize someone who is unproductive despite being well-fed.
చేతకానిమ్మకు శౌర్యమెక్కువ
chetakanimmaku shauryamekkuva
An incompetent woman shows excessive bravado.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the actual skill or ability to perform a task but compensates for it by making loud boasts, showing unnecessary anger, or acting aggressively. It is similar to the English saying 'Empty vessels make the most noise'.
ఈ చేత చేసి ఆ చేత అనుభవించినట్టు.
i cheta chesi a cheta anubhavinchinattu.
Doing with this hand, and receiving the reward with that. Said of the certain result of either a good or bad deed. As you sow you shall reap. As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.
This proverb refers to the concept of 'Instant Karma'. It describes a situation where the consequences of one's actions (good or bad) follow almost immediately, without much delay. It implies that justice or results are delivered within the same lifetime or very quickly.
చేనూ కొడవలీ నీ చేత ఇచ్చాను.
chenu kodavali ni cheta ichchanu.
I have given the field and the sickle into your hands. To hand anything over entirely to another. To give another full powers.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has been given complete authority, resources, and responsibility to complete a task. It implies that the person has everything they need (the field to work on and the tool to work with) and the outcome now depends entirely on their effort and initiative.
చేతకానిమ్మకు చేష్టలు మెండు, చెల్లని రూకకు గీతలు మెండు.
chetakanimmaku cheshtalu mendu, chellani rukaku gitalu mendu.
An incapable woman has many antics, an invalid coin has many scratches.
This proverb is used to describe people who lack actual skills or competence but try to overcompensate with excessive behavior, excuses, or drama. Just as a counterfeit or damaged coin often has more visible marks or decorations to hide its lack of value, a person who cannot perform a task often puts on a show of being busy or makes a lot of fuss to distract from their inadequacy.
వండే అమ్మ కన్నా, వడ్డించే అమ్మ మేలు
vande amma kanna, vaddinche amma melu
The woman who serves food is better than the woman who cooks it.
This proverb highlights that execution, presentation, or final delivery is often more recognized or appreciated than the hard work behind the scenes. In a practical sense, it means that even if someone does all the labor (cooking), the person who manages the final distribution or interaction (serving) often gets the credit or gratitude. It is used to describe situations where the person at the final stage of a process holds more influence.