చెవుడు చెవుడూ అంటే, తవుడు తవుడూ అంటాడు
chevudu chevudu ante, tavudu tavudu antadu
When they call out "Deaf man! Deaf man!" he answers "[ I've got ] Bran, Bran!"
This proverb is used to describe a complete lack of communication or a situation where two people are talking about entirely different things. It refers to a person who misunderstands what is being said due to a lack of attention or hearing, responding with something totally irrelevant. It is used in situations where there is no sync between a question and an answer.
The jingle of the Telugu words is similar to that of the English equivalents.
Related Phrases
కనిగుడ్డి వినిచెవుడు
kaniguddi vinichevudu
Seeing blind, hearing deaf
This expression describes a person who intentionally ignores what they see or hear. It is used to characterize someone who stays indifferent or pretends to be unaware of the truth or events happening right in front of them for personal reasons or convenience.
చెప్పిన కొద్దీ చెవుడు పడిపోతారు
cheppina koddi chevudu padipotaru
The more you tell, the more deaf they become.
This expression is used to describe someone who becomes increasingly stubborn, unresponsive, or indifferent as they are repeatedly advised or corrected. It implies that constant nagging or instruction is being ignored as if the listener has lost their hearing.
చెవుడు చెవుడూ అంటే, తవుడు తవుడూ అన్నట్లు
chevudu chevudu ante, tavudu tavudu annatlu
When one person says 'deafness, deafness', the other person says 'bran, bran'
This expression describes a situation where two people are talking at cross-purposes or failing to communicate effectively due to a misunderstanding or a lack of attention. It is used when one person's words are completely misinterpreted by another, leading to a nonsensical or irrelevant response, much like a deaf person mishearing a word and replying with something that sounds similar but has a different meaning.
తవుడు తింటూ ఒయ్యారమా?
tavudu tintu oyyarama?
Eating bran while acting elegant?
This proverb is used to mock someone who lives in poverty or lacks basic necessities but puts on an act of being wealthy, sophisticated, or overly stylish. It highlights the contrast between their actual humble reality (eating rice bran) and their pretentious behavior (elegance/pride).
మీ గొడ్డుకు యింత తవుడు అంటే, మీ బిడ్డకు యిన్ని పాలు అన్నాడట.
mi godduku yinta tavudu ante, mi biddaku yinni palu annadata.
One said "Here is bran for your cow," the other replied "Here is milk for your child."
This proverb emphasizes the principle of 'cause and effect' or 'investment and return.' Just as feeding livestock well leads to better yield, putting effort or resources into a task will yield proportional benefits. It is used to suggest that if you want a good outcome, you must first provide the necessary inputs or care.
Interchange of kindly acts. One good turn deserves another.
తవుడు తింటూ వయ్యారమా?
tavudu tintu vayyarama?
Should a man strut who lives on bran?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who tries to act wealthy or sophisticated (putting on airs) while living in extreme poverty or lacking basic necessities. It highlights the irony of pretentiousness when one's actual situation is humble.
తినడానికి తవుడు లేదు కానీ, వారానికి ఒక పందిపిల్ల కావాలన్నట్టు
tinadaniki tavudu ledu kani, varaniki oka pandipilla kavalannattu
There is no bran to eat, but a piglet is needed every week.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities or financial stability but insists on living a luxurious or extravagant lifestyle beyond their means. It highlights the irony of having zero resources while maintaining expensive habits or making grand demands.
తనకు అని తవ్వెడు తవుడు ఉంటే, ఆకటి వేళకు ఆరగించవచ్చును
tanaku ani tavvedu tavudu unte, akati velaku araginchavachchunu
If you have even a Tavva ( 1 lb. ) of bran of your own, you can eat it when you are hungry.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and personal savings. It means that even a small amount of resources, if owned by oneself, will be useful and provide relief during difficult times or emergencies. It suggests that having a little of your own is better than depending on others' wealth.
Store is no sore.
తవుడు తాతా అంటే నూకలా ముసలమ్మా అన్నట్లు
tavudu tata ante nukala musalamma annatlu
When called 'Bran Grandfather', responding with 'Broken-grain Grandmother'
This expression describes a situation where one person retorts with a similarly petty or derogatory remark in response to an insult. It signifies tit-for-tat behavior or a mutual exchange of worthless or sarcastic comments between two people who are equally matched in their cynicism or circumstances.
కని గుడ్డు విని చెవుడు
kani guddu vini chevudu
Seeing, blind ; hearing, deaf. " Eyes have they, but they see not : they have ears, but they hear not." Psalm exv. 5, 6.
This expression is used to describe a person who intentionally ignores things they have seen or heard. It refers to someone who pretends to be unaware of a situation or chooses to remain indifferent despite having full knowledge of it, often to avoid trouble or responsibility.