తానూ ఒక మనిషేనా తవుడూ ఒక రొట్టేనా
tanu oka manishena tavudu oka rottena
He calls himself a man, and the bran he eats, bread. A vulgar person taking airs.
This proverb is used to dismiss someone's significance or capability by comparing them to something of poor quality, like bread made from bran (chaff). It is typically used when a person of low status or limited skill attempts to do something beyond their reach, or when someone is being ignored as insignificant.
Related Phrases
రోగము ఒకటి, మందు ఒకటి
rogamu okati, mandu okati
The disease is one, the medicine is another. i. e. the one is not fitted to remove the other. Said of unsuitable remedies.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the solution provided does not match the problem at hand, or when actions taken are completely irrelevant to the actual issue. It highlights a lack of coordination or understanding in addressing a specific challenge.
మంచి వారికి ఒక మాట, మంచి గొడ్డుకు ఒక దెబ్బ
manchi variki oka mata, manchi godduku oka debba
One word to a good man, one stroke to a good bullock. A nod for a wise man, and a rod for a fool.
This proverb emphasizes that an intelligent or sensible person understands and acts upon a single word of advice or instruction, just as a disciplined ox responds to a single stroke. It is used to suggest that wise people do not need repeated warnings or explanations to do the right thing.
బుర్రకు ఒక గుణము, జిహ్వకు ఒక రుచి.
burraku oka gunamu, jihvaku oka ruchi.
Every head has its idiosyncrasy, and every tongue its taste. All tastes are tastes. (Italian.) There is no disputing of tastes, appetites, and fancies.
This proverb highlights the diversity of human nature and preferences. It suggests that just as different people enjoy different flavors, every individual possesses their own unique way of thinking, personality traits, and opinions. It is used to explain why people disagree or have varying interests.
* Tutti i gusti son gusti. 36
చెవుడు చెవుడూ అంటే, తవుడు తవుడూ అంటాడు
chevudu chevudu ante, tavudu tavudu antadu
When they call out "Deaf man! Deaf man!" he answers "[ I've got ] Bran, Bran!"
This proverb is used to describe a complete lack of communication or a situation where two people are talking about entirely different things. It refers to a person who misunderstands what is being said due to a lack of attention or hearing, responding with something totally irrelevant. It is used in situations where there is no sync between a question and an answer.
The jingle of the Telugu words is similar to that of the English equivalents.
చెవుడు చెవుడూ అంటే, తవుడు తవుడూ అన్నట్లు
chevudu chevudu ante, tavudu tavudu annatlu
When one person says 'deafness, deafness', the other person says 'bran, bran'
This expression describes a situation where two people are talking at cross-purposes or failing to communicate effectively due to a misunderstanding or a lack of attention. It is used when one person's words are completely misinterpreted by another, leading to a nonsensical or irrelevant response, much like a deaf person mishearing a word and replying with something that sounds similar but has a different meaning.
బాధకు ఒక కాలము, భాగ్యానికి ఒక కాలము.
badhaku oka kalamu, bhagyaniki oka kalamu.
A time for misfortune, a time for fortune.
This proverb conveys that life is a cycle of ups and downs. Just as seasons change, periods of suffering will eventually be followed by periods of prosperity and happiness. It is used to offer hope during difficult times or to remind people to stay humble during successful times.
ఏనుగుకు ఒక సీమ, గుర్రానికి ఒక ఊరు, బర్రెకు ఒక బానిసె.
enuguku oka sima, gurraniki oka uru, barreku oka banise.
To keep an elephant [ a man requires ] a country, to keep a horse a village, and to keep a she-buffalo a maid.
This proverb describes the specific resource requirements of different animals based on their status and size. It is used metaphorically to explain that every individual or entity needs an environment or support system proportionate to their scale or nature to thrive.
కుమ్మరికి ఒక ఏడు, గుదియకు ఒక పెట్టు
kummariki oka edu, gudiyaku oka pettu
One year to the potter, one blow to the cudgel. The cudgel destroys in one blow what has cost the potter a year's labour. The sudden loss of that gained by much labour.
This proverb highlights the contrast between the time and effort taken to create something versus how easily it can be destroyed. It is used to describe situations where long-term hard work is undone in a single moment of misfortune or a single careless act.
నీకు ఒక దండం, నీ బువ్వకు ఒక దండం
niku oka dandam, ni buvvaku oka dandam
A bow to you, a bow to your food. Said when offered bad food.
This expression is used when someone is fed up with another person's troublesome behavior or difficult nature. It signifies a desire to cut ties or stay away from them, implying 'I don't want your company, nor do I want to share a meal with you; just leave me alone.'
తినడానికి తవుడు లేదు కానీ, వారానికి ఒక పందిపిల్ల కావాలన్నట్టు
tinadaniki tavudu ledu kani, varaniki oka pandipilla kavalannattu
He has not even bran to eat, but he wants a pig every week.
This proverb describes a person who lacks even the basic necessities of life yet indulges in or demands expensive luxuries and extravagant habits. It is used to mock someone who lives far beyond their means or has unrealistic, high-end desires despite being in poverty.