తెలివి తక్కువ, ఆకలెక్కువ.
telivi takkuva, akalekkuva.
Low intelligence, high hunger.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or productivity but has excessive demands or needs. It highlights a mismatch between one's capabilities and their consumption or expectations, often used sarcastically to mock laziness or incompetence combined with greed.
Related Phrases
తెలివి తక్కువ, ఆకలి ఎక్కువ
telivi takkuva, akali ekkuva
Little sense, great appetite. Eating one's senses away.
This expression is used to describe a person who lacks the common sense or skill to earn a living or work efficiently, yet has high demands or appetites. It highlights the irony of someone who cannot contribute much but expects a lot in return.
తెలివితక్కువ, ఆకలి ఎక్కువ
telivitakkuva, akali ekkuva
Low intelligence, high hunger
This expression is used to mock someone who lacks common sense or intelligence but has a very large appetite or demands a lot of resources. It describes a person who doesn't contribute much intellectually but consumes a lot.
దరిద్రానికి ఆకలెక్కువ
daridraniki akalekkuva
Poverty is accompanied by extreme hunger
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone lacks resources but has excessive needs or demands. It highlights the irony of having the least capacity to fulfill requirements while having the greatest desires or appetites. It is often used to comment on how problems seem to multiply for those already in a miserable state.
ఎక్కువ తెలివి ఏడ్పుల కారణం, తక్కువ తెలివి తన్నుల కారణం.
ekkuva telivi edpula karanam, takkuva telivi tannula karanam.
Too much intelligence causes crying, too little intelligence causes beatings.
This proverb highlights the irony of intelligence levels: being overly clever or sensitive often leads to emotional distress or overthinking, whereas having very little intelligence or common sense results in physical consequences or being bullied by others. It suggests that both extremes have their own disadvantages.
కాదు అంటే కళ తక్కువ, అవును అంటే ఆయువు ఎక్కువ
kadu ante kala takkuva, avunu ante ayuvu ekkuva
Saying 'no' reduces grace, saying 'yes' increases life span.
This expression highlights the social and personal value of being agreeable and positive. It suggests that a negative or confrontational attitude (saying 'no') makes one appear dull or ungraceful, whereas a positive, cooperative, or 'yes' attitude leads to a stress-free, longer, and more harmonious life.
జరుగుబాటు తక్కువ, అదిరిపాటు ఎక్కువ.
jarugubatu takkuva, adiripatu ekkuva.
Low livelihood, high arrogance.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the financial means or capability to sustain themselves properly, yet behaves with excessive pride, arrogance, or puts on a grand show of attitude. It highlights the irony of someone having a poor lifestyle but a high level of pretension.
తద్దినానికి తక్కువ, మాసికానికి ఎక్కువ
taddinaniki takkuva, masikaniki ekkuva
Less than an annual ceremony, more than a monthly ceremony.
This expression is used to describe something that is mediocre, awkward, or in an indeterminate state. It refers to something that doesn't fit into a specific category or standard—being neither significant enough to be considered important (like a 'Taddinam') nor small enough to be ignored (like a 'Masikam'). It often describes a person's height, the scale of an event, or the quality of a piece of work that is neither here nor there.
జరుగుబాటు తక్కువ, అదరిపాటు ఎక్కువ.
jarugubatu takkuva, adaripatu ekkuva.
Low income, high showiness (or irritability).
This proverb is used to describe a person who has very limited financial means or resources but behaves with excessive pride, a quick temper, or an arrogant attitude. It highlights the irony of someone having little to sustain themselves while maintaining a high-handed or easily offended demeanor.
పని తక్కువ, ప్రాకులాట ఎక్కువ
pani takkuva, prakulata ekkuva
Less work, more struggle (fidgeting/hustle)
This proverb is used to describe a person who does very little actual work but makes a huge fuss, creates unnecessary commotion, or tries too hard to appear busy. It characterizes someone who lacks efficiency but excels in pretending to be overwhelmed or ambitious.
కూటికి తక్కువైనా కులానికి తక్కువా?
kutiki takkuvaina kulaniki takkuva?
Even if poor in food, is one poor in caste/status?
This proverb is used to express that even if someone lacks financial resources or basic necessities like food, they still maintain their self-respect, dignity, or social standing. It highlights the idea that poverty does not equate to a loss of character or heritage.