చదవక ముందు కాకరకాయ, చదివిన తర్వాత కీకరకాయ
chadavaka mundu kakarakaya, chadivina tarvata kikarakaya
Before reading it is a bitter gourd, after reading it is a 'keekarakaya'.
This expression is used to mock someone who pretends to have gained immense knowledge after studying but only ends up being more confused or making nonsensical claims. It highlights the irony of education failing to bring clarity or when someone makes up words to sound sophisticated.
Related Phrases
చదువుల మర్మమంతా చదివినాను అన్నాడట
chaduvula marmamanta chadivinanu annadata
I have become acquainted with all the secret mysteries of learning. The allusion is to the story of Prahlâda son of Hiranyakaśipa. The words of the Proverb are found in the Telugu translation of the Bhâgavata Purâṇa, (but not in the Sanscrit original,) as having been used by Prahlâda to his father.—(See Vishnu Purâṇa Book I, Chapters 17—20.) Said of a man who pretends to be learned.
This expression is used to mock someone who boasts about having complete knowledge or mastery over a subject, often used in a sarcastic context when the person's actions or actual knowledge suggest otherwise. It highlights overconfidence and pretentious behavior regarding one's learning.
వంకర టింకర కాయలు ఏమిటివి అంటే, చిన్ననాడు అమ్మిన చింతకాయలు అన్నాడట
vankara tinkara kayalu emitivi ante, chinnanadu ammina chintakayalu annadata
When she asked "What are those crooked pods?" they re- plied "The unripe tamarinds you sold in your youth." The story goes that the daughter of very poor parents who in her youth had to go about selling the unripe tamarinds she was able to gather from under the trees, afterwards became the wife of a rich man. Passing through the streets one day in her grand palankin, she superciliously enquired what a tamarind girl was selling, when her bearers replied as above, "These are the tamarinds Madam, which you sold in your youth." To take one a peg lower. You used to be a baker though now you wear gloves. (Spanish.)
This proverb is used to describe someone who tries to justify their current mistakes or poor behavior by linking them to past habits or experiences. It also mocks people who give obvious or silly explanations for things that are common knowledge, pretending as if they have discovered something unique.
చదివినోడికన్నా చాకలి మేలు
chadivinodikanna chakali melu
A washerman is better than an uneducated scholar.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who has formal education but lacks common sense, practical skills, or character. It suggests that a simple worker (like a washerman) who performs their duties effectively is more useful to society than a learned person who cannot apply their knowledge or behaves foolishly.
అంతా తడిసిన తర్వాత చలేమిటి?
anta tadisina tarvata chalemiti?
Why worry about the cold after being completely drenched?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has already faced the worst possible outcome or has committed fully to a difficult task, making further hesitation or minor complaints irrelevant. It is similar to the English expression 'In for a penny, in for a pound' or 'Once the rubicon is crossed.'
మునగకాయకు తగిన ముండ్లు, కాకరకాయకు తగిన కరకులు.
munagakayaku tagina mundlu, kakarakayaku tagina karakulu.
Thorns suited for the drumstick, and roughness suited for the bitter gourd.
This proverb implies that every individual or situation has its own unique set of flaws or characteristics that are inherent to their nature. It is often used to suggest that a person has found a match or a consequence that perfectly fits their specific temperament or behavior, similar to the English expression 'to each their own' or 'fitting for one's nature.'
చదవక ముందు కాకరకాయ, చదివిన తర్వాత కీకరకాయ
chadavaka mundu kakarakaya, chadivina tarvata kikarakaya
Before studying, it is a bitter gourd; after studying, it is a 'keekarakaya'.
This proverb is used to mock people who pretend to be more educated or sophisticated after learning a little, but in reality, their knowledge is superficial or they have only learned to complicate simple things. It satirizes someone whose behavior or speech becomes unnecessarily complex or nonsensical after gaining education, rather than becoming wiser.
చదివినవాడికన్న చాకలివాడు మేలు
chadivinavadikanna chakalivadu melu
A washerman is better than an educated person.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who lacks common sense or practical wisdom despite being highly educated. It suggests that a simple, uneducated person (like a washerman) who performs their duties effectively and understands the practicalities of life is more valuable than a scholar who cannot apply their knowledge or lacks humility.
చదివినవాని కన్నా చాకలవాడు నయం
chadivinavani kanna chakalavadu nayam
A washerman is better than an educated person. The washerman, though illiterate, invariably distinguishes the clothes belonging to different people by putting certain marks on them, but many of the educated cannot discern between good and evil.
This proverb is used to criticize an educated person who lacks common sense or practical wisdom. It implies that practical knowledge and a sensible approach to life (often attributed to simple workers like a washerman) are more valuable than formal education without the ability to apply it properly or behave appropriately.
చదువకముందు వరవర అంటే, చదివిన వెనుక వడవడ అన్నాడట.
chaduvakamundu varavara ante, chadivina venuka vadavada annadata.
Before studying he said 'Vara Vara', and after studying he said 'Vada Vada'.
This proverb is used to mock someone whose education or learning has not improved their wisdom or has actually made them more confused or foolish. It describes a situation where despite putting in the effort to learn, the person remains ignorant or produces nonsensical results, often misapplying their knowledge.
కలవారి ఆడపడుచుకు కాకరకాయైనా కానరాదు
kalavari adapaduchuku kakarakayaina kanaradu
Even a bitter gourd is not visible to the daughter-in-law of a wealthy family.
This proverb is used to describe someone who has become so blinded by their wealth or status that they fail to see or acknowledge even the smallest or most obvious things. It suggests that extreme prosperity can sometimes lead to arrogance or a lack of perception regarding simple realities.