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.
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.
శిష్యా శిష్యా నా కాళ్ళకు చెప్పులున్నాయా అంటే, నక్షత్రమండలం ఈ మధ్య కనబడలేదు అన్నాడట.
shishya shishya na kallaku cheppulunnaya ante, nakshatramandalam i madhya kanabadaledu annadata.
When [the Guru] said "O disciple! disciple! are there shoes on my feet? [the pupil] replied "I don't see them between this and the stars." The Guru and his pupil were both gluttons, but the disciple excelled his master. On one occasion when the Guru—who had eaten so much that he could not see his toes which were numb—asked his pupil to inform him whether his shoes were on, the latter—who was filled up to his neck and was obliged to keep his face towards the sky—replied as above. To have a belly up to one's mouth. (*Spanish*)
This expression is used to describe an irrelevant or nonsensical response to a straightforward question. It highlights a lack of focus, poor communication, or someone being 'lost in the clouds' instead of addressing the immediate reality.
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.
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.
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.
ఆ అంటే అపశబ్దము, నారాయణా అంటే బూతుమాట.
a ante apashabdamu, narayana ante butumata.
If I say "Â" (yes), it's wrong; if I say "Nārāyaṇa," it's obscene.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely hypersensitive, hypercritical, or impossible to please. It depicts a situation where even the most innocent or sacred words (like 'Narayana') are deliberately misinterpreted as offensive or negative by someone looking for an excuse to find fault.
Faults are thick where love is thin. (Welsh.)
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.
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.
గుడ గుడ శబ్దం కుండకు నష్టం.
guda guda shabdam kundaku nashtam.
A gurgling sound is a loss to the pot.
This proverb implies that making unnecessary noise or talking too much about a plan or a secret can lead to its failure. Just as a gurgling sound in a pot might indicate a crack or an instability that could lead to the pot breaking, loose talk or 'noise' in business or personal matters can result in damage or loss.