సుత్తె ముందా? కారు ముందా?
sutte munda? karu munda?
Was the hammer first, or were the tongs ?
This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme confusion, circular logic, or a 'chicken and egg' dilemma. It refers to the irony that a blacksmith needs a hammer to make pincers, but needs pincers to hold the metal to make a hammer. It is often used to mock someone who is confused about the order of operations or stuck in a paradox.
Related Phrases
చెట్టు ముందా, విత్తు ముందా అన్నట్టు
chettu munda, vittu munda annattu
Like asking whether the tree was first or the seed.
This expression is used to describe a classic 'chicken and egg' dilemma. It refers to a situation or debate where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened first or is the primary cause of the other.
A problem that cannot be solved. Ask which was born first, the hen or the egg. (Italian.)*
మొగుడే ముండా అంటే ముష్టికి వచ్చినవాడు కూడా ముండా అంటాడు.
mogude munda ante mushtiki vachchinavadu kuda munda antadu.
If the husband calls his wife a widow, the beggar who comes to the door will also call her a widow.
This proverb highlights that if a family member (especially a protector) treats their own kin with disrespect or demeans them in public, outsiders will feel emboldened to do the same. It is used to advise that one must maintain dignity and respect within the family to ensure the world respects them as well.
ఏటు ముందా ఏకాదశి ముందా?
etu munda ekadashi munda?
Which comes first, the blow or the Ekadashi fast?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is already suffering from one problem and is suddenly hit with another. It specifically refers to being caught between a physical hardship (the blow) and a religious or self-imposed hardship (the fast). It is used when someone is overwhelmed by consecutive or simultaneous troubles.
యేరు ముందా? యేరువాక పున్నమి ముందా?
yeru munda? yeruvaka punnami munda?
Is the river first? Or is the Eruvaka Purnima first?
This is a traditional agricultural proverb used to emphasize the importance of preparation and seasonal cycles. 'Eruvaka Purnima' is a festival celebrating the start of the sowing season. The expression is often used when questioning the logical order of things or when debating which event should take precedence in a cause-and-effect relationship.
ముందుకుపోతే మురికి ముండ, వెనుకకు పోతే వెట్టిముండ
mundukupote muriki munda, venukaku pote vettimunda
If you go forward, she is a dirty woman; if you go backward, she is a mad woman.
This proverb is used to describe a 'catch-22' or a 'no-win' situation where every available option leads to a negative or unpleasant outcome. It is similar to the English expressions 'between a rock and a hard place' or 'between the devil and the deep blue sea.'
ఏరు ముందా, ఏరువాక ముందా, ఏకాదశి ముందా, పున్నమి ముందా?
eru munda, eruvaka munda, ekadashi munda, punnami munda?
Is the river first, the start of plowing first, the Ekadashi festival first, or the full moon first?
This is a traditional Telugu riddle or rhetorical question used to highlight the confusion or overlapping priorities of agricultural and spiritual life. It refers to 'Eruvaka Punnam', a festival marking the start of the monsoon and the first plowing. It is often used to describe a state of confusion when multiple important events happen simultaneously, or to test one's knowledge of seasonal cycles and traditions.
చెట్టు ముందా విత్తు ముందా అన్నట్లు
chettu munda vittu munda annatlu
Like asking whether the tree came first or the seed first.
This expression is used to describe a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma or a circular argument where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened or existed first. It is often applied to situations involving infinite regress or complex causal loops.
ఏరు ముందా ఏరువాక ముందా
eru munda eruvaka munda
Is the river first or the plowing festival first?
This is a rhetorical expression or a riddle-like saying often used to discuss the cyclical nature of things or to question priorities. 'Eruvaka' refers to the traditional festival marking the beginning of the plowing season. It highlights the deep connection between the arrival of rains (rivers) and the start of agricultural activity.
పాతముండ కలవరిస్తే కొత్తముండకు దయ్యం పట్టినట్లు
patamunda kalavariste kottamundaku dayyam pattinatlu
When the old widow babbles in her sleep, it is as if the new widow is possessed by a ghost.
This proverb describes a situation where an experienced person says something casually or out of habit, but an inexperienced or fearful person takes it too seriously and reacts with unnecessary panic. It highlights how fear and lack of experience can lead one to misinterpret a trivial situation as a major crisis.
లగ్గం ముందా పల్లకి ముందా అన్నాట్ట
laggam munda pallaki munda annatta
Did the auspicious wedding time come first, or did the palanquin arrive first?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is caught up in trivial or logistical details (like the arrival of a transport palanquin) while overlooking the primary, essential event (the wedding timing itself). It refers to poor prioritization or unnecessary confusion regarding the order of events.