మాట వెండి, మౌనం బంగారు
mata vendi, maunam bangaru
Speech is silver, silence is gold
This expression highlights the value of knowing when to remain silent. While speaking well is a valuable skill, staying quiet and listening is often more precious and wise, especially in situations where words might cause conflict or unnecessary trouble.
Related Phrases
ఎడ్డి, మడ్డి బంగారు కడ్డి
eddi, maddi bangaru kaddi
Ignorant, muddy, yet a gold bar
This expression is used to describe someone who appears foolish, uneducated, or unrefined on the outside but possesses great internal value, wealth, or talent. It suggests that one should not judge a person's worth solely based on their outward appearance or lack of sophistication.
మగపిల్లాడు బంగారు పుల్ల
magapilladu bangaru pulla
A male child is a golden twig.
This traditional expression reflects the deep-rooted cultural preference for male children in certain societies, suggesting that a son is as precious and valuable as a piece of gold. It is often used to emphasize the importance of a male heir in a family lineage.
మౌనం అర్ధాంగీకారం
maunam ardhangikaram
Silence is half-acceptance
This expression is used to suggest that if a person remains silent when a proposition is made or a question is asked, it can be interpreted as their partial consent or tacit agreement. It is similar to the Latin proverb 'Silence gives consent'.
వెండి బేరమాడుతూ బంగారు కొసరడిగినట్లు.
vendi beramadutu bangaru kosaradiginatlu.
Like bargaining for silver and asking for gold as a free bonus.
This proverb describes someone making an unreasonable or absurd request. It refers to a situation where a person, while negotiating for something of lesser value (silver), asks for something of significantly higher value (gold) for free or as a small extra. It is used to mock people who lack a sense of proportion or reality in their demands.
బంగారు గాలానికే బంగారు చేపలు పడవు
bangaru galanike bangaru chepalu padavu
Golden hooks do not necessarily catch golden fish.
This expression means that using expensive or high-quality tools does not always guarantee a superior or successful outcome. It highlights that merit, skill, or luck often matter more than the outward appearance or cost of the resources used. It is used to caution against the belief that money alone can buy success.
బంగారు పిచ్చుక
bangaru pichchuka
Golden sparrow
A term used to describe something or someone that is extremely precious, rare, or a person who brings great fortune and prosperity. In a metaphorical sense, it refers to a person with a heart of gold or a highly valuable asset/opportunity.
మాటలో నీటుంది, మాటలో పోటుంది, మాటలో సూటి ఉంది.
matalo nitundi, matalo potundi, matalo suti undi.
In speech there is elegance, in speech there is power (a blow), and in speech there is directness.
This expression highlights the multifaceted power of words. It suggests that human speech can be used to convey sophistication (neetu), to deliver a sharp or stinging impact (potu), or to be honest and straightforward (sooti). It is often used to remind people that how we talk can charm, hurt, or clarify depending on the intent.
మౌనం అర్ధాంగీకారం
maunam ardhangikaram
Silence is half-acceptance
This expression is used to suggest that if a person remains silent when asked a question or confronted with a proposal, it can be interpreted as their tacit approval or partial agreement. It implies that silence serves as a substitute for a 'yes' when no objection is voiced.
అధికారం బంగారు గొలుసుల బందిఖానా
adhikaram bangaru golusula bandikhana
Power is a prison of golden chains
This expression highlights that while holding a position of power or authority may seem prestigious and valuable (like gold), it comes with heavy responsibilities, lack of personal freedom, and constant restrictions that make it feel like a prison.
సింగారం చూడరా బంగారు మొగుడా?
singaram chudara bangaru moguda?
Look at my finery/makeup, O golden husband!
This is a sarcastic expression used to describe a person who tries to hide their incompetence, flaws, or failures by putting on a showy exterior or focusing on superficial appearances. It originates from a folk story where a woman uses elaborate dressing as a distraction from her lack of skill or a mistake she made.