చదువ నేర్తువా వ్రాయనేర్తువా అంటే- చదువ నేరను, చించ నేర్తును అన్నాడట
chaduva nertuva vrayanertuva ante- chaduva neranu, chincha nertunu annadata
When asked 'Can you read or write?', he replied, 'I cannot read, but I can tear the paper.'
This proverb is used to describe someone who lacks constructive skills but is proficient in destruction or making excuses. It highlights incompetence where a person, instead of performing a task, focuses on undoing or ruining it. It is often used to mock people who are useless or lazy when it comes to meaningful work.
Related Phrases
నేనెంతటివాడనని నెరననువాడు నేర్తుననువాడు నిందపాలగును
nenentativadanani nerananuvadu nertunanuvadu nindapalagunu
One who says 'who am I to know everything' is wise, while one who claims to know everything earns blame.
This expression highlights the importance of humility and the dangers of arrogance. It suggests that a person who acknowledges their limitations and the vastness of knowledge is respected, whereas a person who boastfully claims to know everything eventually makes mistakes or faces criticism when their ignorance is exposed. It is often used to advise someone to remain humble about their skills or knowledge.
చదవ నేర్తువా వ్రాయ నేర్తువా అంటే, చదవా వ్రాయా నేరనుగాని చించ నేర్తును అన్నాడట.
chadava nertuva vraya nertuva ante, chadava vraya neranugani chincha nertunu annadata.
When asked whether he could read and write, he said, "I can't read or write, but I can tear."
This proverb is used to describe a person who is incompetent or destructive rather than being helpful or skilled. It mockingly refers to someone who lacks basic constructive skills but claims expertise in useless or damaging actions.
అరిచే కుక్క కరవదు
ariche kukka karavadu
A barking dog never bites. Great barkers are nae biters. (Scotch.) A barking cur does not bite. (Italian.)
This proverb is used to describe people who make loud threats or talk aggressively but rarely take any real action. It suggests that those who boast or bluster the most are often the least dangerous.
కుడువమంటే పొడువ వచ్చినట్లు
kuduvamante poduva vachchinatlu
Like coming to stab when asked to eat
This expression is used to describe someone who reacts with unnecessary hostility or anger to a kind gesture or a helpful suggestion. It highlights an ungrateful or aggressive response to a well-intentioned invitation.
చదువనేర్చిన ఆడువారితోను, వండనేర్చిన మగవారితోను ఓపలేము
chaduvanerchina aduvaritonu, vandanerchina magavaritonu opalemu
It is difficult to bear with a woman who has learned to read and a man who has learned to cook.
This traditional proverb suggests that when individuals cross into roles traditionally held by the opposite gender (in a historical context), they tend to become overly pedantic, meticulous, or argumentative about it. It describes the irritation caused by people who over-analyze tasks that are supposed to be simple or routine.
నేరక నేరక నేరేడు పళ్ళు తినబోతే, నేరాలు ఒడిగట్టినట్లు
neraka neraka neredu pallu tinabote, neralu odigattinatlu
When someone who rarely does anything goes to eat jamun fruits, crimes were pinned on them.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an innocent or inexperienced person tries to do something simple or enjoy a rare treat, but ends up being blamed for something wrong or getting into unexpected trouble. It signifies bad timing or being caught in a streak of misfortune.
కూడబెట్టినవాడు కుడువ నేర్చునా?
kudabettinavadu kuduva nerchuna?
Will the one who only hoards know how to enjoy the meal?
This proverb highlights that people who are obsessed with accumulating wealth often lack the ability to spend it on themselves or enjoy the comforts of life. It is used to describe a miserly person who focuses entirely on saving and never experiences the fruits of their labor.
తిన నేర్చినమ్మ పెట్ట నేరుస్తుంది
tina nerchinamma petta nerustundi
A woman who knows how to eat also knows how to serve.
This proverb implies that someone who enjoys or appreciates the value of something will also know how to provide it to others. In a broader sense, it means that a person who understands their own needs and comforts is better equipped to care for the needs of others. It is often used to describe someone's hospitality or their proficiency in managing resources.
చదువు లేదు, మరుపు లేదు
chaduvu ledu, marupu ledu
Neither study nor forgetting.
This expression is used to describe someone who is completely ignorant or uneducated. It implies that since the person never learned anything (study) in the first place, there is nothing for them to forget. It highlights a state of total lack of knowledge or intellectual effort.
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.