മത്തൻ കുത്തിയാൽ കുമ്പളം മുളക്കില്ല
മതതൻ കതതയൽ കമപള മളകകലല
Pumpkin won't grow from squash
Signification
You reap exactly what you sow.
Contexte culturel
Pumpkin and Ash Gourd are staples in Kerala cuisine (like in Olan or Erissery). They are grown in almost every backyard, making this metaphor universally understood by all Malayalis. The proverb reflects a traditional belief in 'Vithu-gunam' (quality of the seed/lineage). In Kerala, family background was historically used to judge a person's character. This proverb is a favorite for scriptwriters to show a character's wit or to provide a moral commentary on a villain's son. While still used, modern Malayalis also use it ironically or to discuss how children pick up habits (like using phones) from their parents.
Use it for compliments
It's a very safe and culturally appreciated way to compliment a child by praising their parents' traits.
Don't be too deterministic
In modern settings, avoid using it to suggest someone can't succeed because of their humble background.
Signification
You reap exactly what you sow.
Use it for compliments
It's a very safe and culturally appreciated way to compliment a child by praising their parents' traits.
Don't be too deterministic
In modern settings, avoid using it to suggest someone can't succeed because of their humble background.
The 'L' sound
Mastering the retroflex 'L' (ള) in Kumbalam and Mulakkilla will make you sound like a native speaker.
Vegetable swap
Never swap the vegetables in the proverb. It's always Pumpkin and Ash Gourd.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the proverb.
മത്തൻ കുത്തിയാൽ _______ മുളക്കില്ല.
The standard proverb uses 'Kumbalam' (Ash Gourd) as the second vegetable.
Which situation best fits the proverb?
A famous singer's daughter wins a singing competition. What would you say?
This proverb is used when a child inherits a parent's talent.
Choose the correct meaning of the proverb.
What does 'മത്തൻ കുത്തിയാൽ കുമ്പളം മുളക്കില്ല' mean?
The proverb is about the law of cause and effect.
Complete the dialogue.
രാമു: 'അവൻ്റെ അച്ഛൻ വലിയ കള്ളനായിരുന്നു, അവനും ഇപ്പോൾ ജയിലിലാണ്.' സോമു: 'അതെ, _______.'
The proverb fits perfectly when discussing how a son follows his father's (bad) footsteps.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Mathan vs Kumbalam
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesമത്തൻ കുത്തിയാൽ _______ മുളക്കില്ല.
The standard proverb uses 'Kumbalam' (Ash Gourd) as the second vegetable.
A famous singer's daughter wins a singing competition. What would you say?
This proverb is used when a child inherits a parent's talent.
What does 'മത്തൻ കുത്തിയാൽ കുമ്പളം മുളക്കില്ല' mean?
The proverb is about the law of cause and effect.
രാമു: 'അവൻ്റെ അച്ഛൻ വലിയ കള്ളനായിരുന്നു, അവനും ഇപ്പോൾ ജയിലിലാണ്.' സോമു: 'അതെ, _______.'
The proverb fits perfectly when discussing how a son follows his father's (bad) footsteps.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, the proverb is fixed. Using other vegetables will make it sound like a joke or a mistake.
Usually no, but it can be if used to imply that a child of a criminal will also be a criminal.
Mathan is Pumpkin (yellow/orange inside), and Kumbalam is Ash Gourd (white inside, used for Olan).
Yes, it is very common in editorials and speeches to emphasize a point about consequences.
Curl your tongue back to touch the roof of your mouth. It's different from the standard 'l'.
Absolutely! It's often used to praise inherited talents like singing or intelligence.
It literally means 'if poked'. In this context, it refers to the traditional way of planting seeds by poking a hole in the soil.
People sometimes just say 'Mathan കുത്തിയാൽ...' and leave the rest to the listener's imagination.
Yes, it's often used to say that a bad business model will never yield good profits.
Yes, it's a practical, agricultural way of explaining the concept of Karma.
Expressions liées
വിത്തുഗുണം പത്തുഗുണം
synonymThe quality of the seed is ten times the quality of the result.
വിതച്ചതേ കൊയ്യൂ
similarYou will only reap what you sowed.
ആന കൊടുത്താലും ആശ കൊടുക്കരുത്
contrastEven if you give an elephant, don't give false hope.
ചെളിയിൽ താമര വിരിയും
contrastA lotus can bloom in the mud.
