ఇత్యర్థాలు ఇగురు, ఇతిభావాలు పులుసు
ityarthalu iguru, itibhavalu pulusu
For sweet vegetable [ take your ] "plain significations," and for acid [take your] "deep meanings." The reply of the wife of a logician ( who would pay no attention to household matters and had given her no means of providing food ) when he grumbled at the bad fare.
This expression is used to mock someone who uses overly complex, grand, or high-sounding vocabulary to describe very simple or trivial matters. It highlights the gap between pretentious language and mediocre substance, often used when someone tries to sound scholarly or intellectual about something mundane.
Related Phrases
ఊరివాడికి కాటిభయం, పొరుగూరివాడికి నీటిభయం
urivadiki katibhayam, porugurivadiki nitibhayam
The inhabitant of the village is afraid of the cemetery; the stranger is afraid of the water. The inhabitant of the village has a superstitious dread of the burial or burning ground, and avoids it; but the stranger does not know its situation and walks through it. On the other hand, the villager knows the depth of the tank, and does not fear going into it, but the stranger is afraid to venture. No safe wading in an unknown water.
This proverb highlights how fear is often rooted in personal experience or specific knowledge. A local resident is afraid of the village cemetery because they know the legends or have seen deaths there, while a traveler or outsider is afraid of the local water sources (lakes or rivers) because they are unfamiliar with their depth or hidden dangers.
వినయోక్తులు లేని యీవి వ్యర్థము.
vinayoktulu leni yivi vyarthamu.
Charity without humble words is wasteful.
This expression emphasizes that the manner in which a gift or charity is given is as important as the act itself. Giving money or help while being arrogant or disrespectful devalues the noble act. It is used to teach that true generosity must be accompanied by humility and kind speech.
అర్థము లేనివాడు నిరర్థకుడు.
arthamu lenivadu nirarthakudu.
A man without money is useless.
This proverb plays on the word 'Artha', which means both 'meaning' and 'wealth'. It suggests that in the eyes of society, a person who lacks financial resources is often treated as if their life has no value or purpose. It is used to describe the harsh reality of how poverty can lead to social insignificance.
A man without money is like a ship without sails. (Dutch.)*
పది వేస్తే పచ్చిపులుసు, లేకపోతే పాడుపులుసు
padi veste pachchipulusu, lekapote padupulusu
If ten are added, it is raw tamarind soup; otherwise, it is spoiled soup.
This expression is used to highlight that a task or project can only be successful if the necessary resources, efforts, or people are involved. Without the essential ingredients or support, the result is worthless or a failure. It emphasizes the importance of adequacy and contribution.
పురాణంలోని వంకాయలు పులుసులోకి రావు
puranamloni vankayalu pulusuloki ravu
The brinjals mentioned in the Puranas do not make it into the stew.
This proverb is used to point out that theoretical knowledge or high-sounding sermons are useless if they are not applied in practice. It highlights the difference between preaching and practicing, or between abstract ideas and practical reality.
వ్యర్థమైన సొమ్ము వ్యర్థుల చేరురా
vyarthamaina sommu vyarthula cherura
Wasted wealth reaches wasteful people
This expression means that money earned or spent foolishly ends up in the hands of those who do not value it. It is often used to describe how ill-gotten gains or poorly managed resources are eventually squandered by incompetent or undeserving individuals.
సూడిద బూడిద పాలు, ఇల్లాలు ఇతరుల పాలు.
sudida budida palu, illalu itarula palu.
The pregnancy gift goes to the ashes, and the housewife goes to others.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme misfortune or poor management where one's efforts and assets are completely wasted or lost. It specifically refers to a scenario where the customary gifts given during pregnancy (sudida) are squandered or ruined, and the mistress of the house is neglected or ends up serving others. It is used to highlight total domestic ruin or the irony of losing everything due to negligence.
చింతపులుసుకన్న చిక్కగ, పచ్చిపులుసుకన్న పలుచగ
chintapulusukanna chikkaga, pachchipulusukanna paluchaga
Thicker than tamarind stew, thinner than raw tamarind soup.
This expression is used to describe something that is inconsistent, vague, or lacks a definite shape or standard. It refers to a situation or a person's behavior that is confusing because it fits neither one extreme nor the other, often used sarcastically to point out poor quality or lack of clarity.
తిక్కల కష్టం, బొక్కల పులుసు
tikkala kashtam, bokkala pulusu
Madman's hard work, a soup of bones.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone puts in an immense amount of effort (often in a foolish or disorganized way) only to receive a meager or worthless result. It highlights the futility of hard work when it lacks proper direction or intelligence.
పాకలో రోకలి చిగురు పెట్టినట్లు
pakalo rokali chiguru pettinatlu
As if a wooden pestle in a shed sprouted leaves
This proverb is used to describe a situation that is absolutely impossible or highly improbable. A dry, dead piece of wood like a pestle (rokali) can never sprout leaves; therefore, it refers to expecting a miracle where there is no possibility of growth or change.