Irony
ఆడబోతే చూడబుద్ది, చూడబోతే ఆడబుద్ది
adabote chudabuddi, chudabote adabuddi
When going to play, one feels like watching; when going to watch, one feels like playing.
This expression describes a state of indecision or fickle-mindedness. It refers to a person who is never satisfied with their current choice and constantly wishes they were doing the opposite of what they are presently engaged in.
అత్తకు మొగుడల్లుడు
attaku mogudalludu
The son-in-law is the husband to the mother-in-law.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is supposed to be subordinate or younger ends up dominating or controlling the person who should be in charge. It highlights an ironic reversal of roles or a situation where someone finds a match for their stubbornness or authority.
కాకి ముక్కుకి దొండపండువలె.
kaki mukkuki dondapanduvale.
Like a scarlet gourd in a crow's beak.
This expression is used to describe an architectural or aesthetic mismatch, specifically when an unattractive or unworthy person is paired with something or someone beautiful and exquisite. It highlights the stark contrast between the 'crow' (representing someone plain or undeserving) and the 'donda pandu' (a bright red, attractive fruit representing beauty).
కప్పలు కూస్తే వర్షము పడినట్లు
kappalu kuste varshamu padinatlu
Like it rained because the frogs croaked
This expression is used to describe a logical fallacy where someone attributes a natural or inevitable event to a coincidental action. It highlights how people mistakenly claim credit for things that were going to happen anyway, similar to thinking that a frog's croaking actually caused the rain to fall.
పానకంలో పుడక
panakamlo pudaka
A stick in the Panakam (sweet drink)
This expression is used to describe an unwanted or unnecessary interruption, or a person who acts as a spoilsport in an otherwise pleasant situation. Panakam is a delicious festive drink, and a small twig or stick found in it is considered an annoyance that ruins the experience.
చచ్చినవాడి కళ్ళు చారెడేసి అన్నారట
chachchinavadi kallu charedesi annarata
They say the eyes of the dead man were as wide as palms.
This proverb is used to describe the human tendency to exaggerate or romanticize the qualities of a person or thing only after they are gone. It highlights how people attribute greatness or beauty to something once it is no longer available to be verified or challenged.
కాసుకు గతిలేదు, కోటికి కొడి వేసినాడు.
kasuku gatiledu, kotiki kodi vesinadu.
He was without a cash, but raised his banner for a crore.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks even the most basic resources or money but makes grand, boastful claims or undertakes projects far beyond their means. It highlights the irony of having big aspirations or showing off when one cannot even afford the bare minimum.
A cash ( Kāsu ) equals about one fortieth of a penny. Penniless, but bragging of having a plum.
కుక్క ముట్టె చల్లన, కోతి ముట్టె వెచ్చన
kukka mutte challana, koti mutte vechchana
A dog's snout is cold, a monkey's snout is warm.
This is a traditional folk observation used to describe physical characteristics or behaviors that are naturally opposite. It is often used to imply that different creatures or people have inherently different natures or temperaments, much like the contrasting temperatures of these animals' snouts.
మందూ మాకు గండమాల మాన్పలేకపోయాయి, చక్కచేయగలడా నక్కమోర?
mandu maku gandamala manpalekapoyayi, chakkacheyagalada nakkamora?
When medicines and herbs could not cure the scrofula (neck swelling), can a fox-faced man fix it?
This expression is used to describe a situation where experts or proven methods have failed to solve a significant problem, and an incompetent or unqualified person claims they can fix it. It highlights the absurdity of expecting a miracle from someone who lacks the necessary skills or resources when even the best solutions have failed.
చెట్టు పెరగడం మొదలు నరుకుడికే
chettu peragadam modalu narukudike
The tree starts growing only for the axe.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is raised or something is developed only to be exploited or destroyed in the end. It refers to the inevitable fate of something being nurtured just to meet an ultimate, often harsh, purpose.
మాధుకరి వాని ఇంటికి ఉపాదానం వాడు పోయినట్టు
madhukari vani intiki upadanam vadu poyinattu
Like the raw rice beggar going to the house of the boiled rice beggar. Some beggars will only receive raw rice which they cook for themselves, others receive boiled rice.
This proverb describes a redundant or futile action where a person seeks help or resources from someone who is in the same poor condition as themselves. It is used to mock the irony of asking for a favor from someone who is equally needy or incapable of providing it.
కారుచిచ్చుకు గాడ్పు తోడైనట్లు
karuchichchuku gadpu todainatlu
Like a wildfire being joined by a strong wind.
This expression is used to describe a situation where an already disastrous or problematic event is made significantly worse by an additional factor. It is similar to the English idiom 'Adding fuel to the fire'.
కక్కిన కూటికి ఆశపడ్డట్టు
kakkina kutiki ashapaddattu
Like craving for the food that has been vomited
This proverb is used to describe a person who shamelessly goes back to something they previously rejected, insulted, or abandoned. It highlights a lack of self-respect or dignity in seeking out discarded things or toxic situations for personal gain.
మాట చుట్టమేగాని, పూట చుట్టం కాదు.
mata chuttamegani, puta chuttam kadu.
A relative in words, but not a relative at mealtime.
This expression describes people who offer verbal sympathy or make grand promises but disappear when actual help or hospitality (like providing a meal) is required. It refers to someone who is friendly only on the surface and avoids the responsibility of true friendship or kinship.
కుందేటి కొమ్ము సాధించినట్లు
kundeti kommu sadhinchinatlu
Like acquiring a rabbit's horn
This expression is used to describe a person who claims to have achieved or found something that is actually impossible or non-existent. It is used to mock someone's false claims of an impossible feat, as rabbits do not have horns.
మా పిల్లవానికి ముప్ఫయిరెండు గుణములు వున్నవిగాని, రెండు మాత్రము తక్కువ.
ma pillavaniki mupphayirendu gunamulu vunnavigani, rendu matramu takkuva.
My boy has the thirty-two qualities, only he is two short.
This is a sarcastic expression used to mock someone's complete lack of good character. While it starts as a compliment (32 qualities signify perfection), the 'two missing' qualities are 'Sathyam' (Truth) and 'Shaucham' (Purity/Cleanliness), implying the person is a liar and a scoundrel.
* Continuanza diventa usanza.
కుడవబోతూ కూరాకు రుచి అడిగినట్టు
kudavabotu kuraku ruchi adiginattu
Like enquiring the flavour of the vegetables when on the point of eating them. Want of patience.
This expression is used to describe someone's unnecessary impatience or redundant inquiries about a result that they are just moments away from experiencing firsthand anyway. It highlights the pointlessness of seeking an opinion or a preview when the reality is already at hand.
ఉస్తికాయంత ఈరెంటి, నంజుకు పెట్టనంత
ustikayanta irenti, nanjuku pettananta
How much is a turkey berry's juice, and how much is the curry made from it?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the resources or the source material is so small or insignificant that the final output or benefit derived from it is negligible. It highlights the irony of trying to make something substantial out of something very tiny.
సత్రం కూటికి అయ్యగారి ఆజ్ఞ
satram kutiki ayyagari ajnya
The master's permission for the free food at a shelter
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone acts as if they have authority over things that are free or do not belong to them. It mocks people who unnecessarily try to control or dictate terms in matters where they have no personal stake or ownership.
కాటి దగ్గరి మాటలు కూటి దగ్గర ఉండవు
kati daggari matalu kuti daggara undavu
The words spoken at the graveyard do not remain at the dinner table.
This proverb highlights the fleeting nature of philosophical realizations or remorse. People often express deep wisdom or regret during somber moments (like a funeral), but quickly return to their usual habits and desires once they are back in the comfort of their daily lives.