ఏకానికి బెల్లం ఎంత? ఏకానికి ఉప్పు ఎంత? అని అడిగినాడట ఒక శిష్యుడు
ekaniki bellam enta? ekaniki uppu enta? ani adiginadata oka shishyudu
A disciple asked, 'How much is jaggery for one? How much is salt for one?'
This expression is used to mock someone who lacks common sense or basic understanding of units and quantities. Jaggery and salt are measured by weight or volume, not by 'one' (a single unit). It highlights foolishness or the habit of asking nonsensical questions without thinking about the context or measurement.
Related Phrases
శిష్యుడు పెరిగితే గురువుకు మించిపోతాడు
shishyudu perigite guruvuku minchipotadu
If the disciple grows, he will surpass the teacher.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a student or protege excels to such an extent that they become more skilled, famous, or capable than their own mentor. It signifies the success of the teacher's guidance while acknowledging the exceptional talent of the pupil.
గురువుకు మించిన శిష్యుడు
guruvuku minchina shishyudu
A disciple greater than his Guru.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a protege, student, or apprentice becomes more skilled, knowledgeable, or successful than their mentor. It is often used as a compliment to both the student's talent and the teacher's effective guidance.
Said of an insolent fellow.
వేష్టధారి గురువు, సాతాని శిష్యుడు
veshtadhari guruvu, satani shishyudu
A guru who wears a sacred thread and a disciple who is a Satani (a specific Vaishnavite sub-sect).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people are completely incompatible or mismatched in their roles, backgrounds, or ideologies, yet are forced to work together. It highlights a comical or ironic pairing where the traditional hierarchy or customs are inconsistent.
పెళ్ళాన్ని కొట్టడం ఎప్పుడు మానినావు అని అడిగినట్లు
pellanni kottadam eppudu maninavu ani adiginatlu
Like asking someone, 'When did you stop beating your wife?'
This refers to a 'loaded question' or a 'complex question' fallacy. It describes a situation where any answer given (Yes or No) would imply guilt or confirm a negative presupposition that may not be true. It is used when someone frames a question in a way that traps the other person into admitting something they didn't do.
గురువుకు తగ్గ శిష్యుడు
guruvuku tagga shishyudu
A disciple worthy of his Guru. Both blockheads.
This expression is used to describe a student who is as capable, skilled, or talented as their mentor. It can be used positively to praise excellence or sarcastically to imply that the student has inherited the same flaws or bad habits as the teacher.
మృదుశబ్దానికి మధుశబ్దానికి భేదమేమిరా అంటే, వట్లల్లో సుడి అన్నాడట శిష్యుడు
mridushabdaniki madhushabdaniki bhedamemira ante, vatlallo sudi annadata shishyudu
When asked the difference between a soft sound and a sweet sound, the disciple replied 'A swirl in the testicles'.
This proverb is used to describe a person who gives an absurd, irrelevant, or completely nonsensical answer to a logical or philosophical question. It highlights utter ignorance or a lack of basic common sense despite being in a learning environment.
పరమానందయ్య గారి శిష్యులు
paramanandayya gari shishyulu
The disciples of Paramanandayya
This expression is used to describe a group of people who are exceptionally foolish, naive, or prone to making silly blunders while trying to be helpful. It originates from popular Telugu folklore about a teacher named Paramanandayya and his incredibly dim-witted yet loyal students.
గురువుకే కంకి దొరకకపోతే శిష్యుడికి ఊచబియ్యమా?
guruvuke kanki dorakakapote shishyudiki uchabiyyama?
If the teacher cannot even find an ear of corn, will the student find tender grain?
This proverb is used to highlight situations where a subordinate or student expects more than what their superior or mentor possesses. It implies that if the source or the master lacks basic resources or knowledge, it is unrealistic for the follower to expect a bounty or superior results.
మొండి గురువు, బండ శిష్యుడు
mondi guruvu, banda shishyudu
A stubborn teacher and a stone-like (insensitive) disciple.
This proverb describes a situation where both the mentor and the student are unyielding and lack synergy or wisdom. It is used to mock a duo or partnership where one person is obstinate and the other is thick-headed or unresponsive to learning, making any progress impossible.
గురువుకు తగిన శిష్యుడు
guruvuku tagina shishyudu
A disciple worthy of the teacher
This expression is used to describe a student or follower who is a perfect match for their teacher, often inheriting both their skills and their traits (positive or negative). It is similar to the English idiom 'Like father, like son' or 'A chip off the old block', specifically applied to a mentor-mentee relationship.