వేపకాయంత తీపి, వేసంగంత చలువ
vepakayanta tipi, vesanganta chaluva
As sweet as a neem fruit, as cool as the summer.
A sarcastic expression used to describe something that is actually the opposite of what is being said. Since neem is incredibly bitter and summer is scorching hot, this phrase highlights a situation that is extremely unpleasant, harsh, or difficult, while using ironic comparisons.
Related Phrases
అంతా కంత
anta kanta
All of it is just a hole/gap
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.
ఊరు ఉస్తికాయంత, సిద్ధాంతం తాటికాయంత.
uru ustikayanta, siddhantam tatikayanta.
The village is the size of a berry, but the rulebook is the size of a palm fruit.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the overhead, bureaucracy, or theory is much larger and more complex than the actual subject or problem itself. It highlights the irony of having excessive rules or grand plans for a very small or insignificant matter.
నీటికి కలువ, మాటకు చలువ
nitiki kaluva, mataku chaluva
Water needs a lily, speech needs pleasantness.
Just as a water lily enhances the beauty and serenity of a pond, pleasant and polite words bring grace and coolness to a conversation. It emphasizes the importance of speaking kindly and gently to maintain harmony.
ఊరు ఉసిరికాయంత, సిద్ధాంతము తాటికాయంత
uru usirikayanta, siddhantamu tatikayanta
The village is like the Ustekâya and the religious duties are like the Tâṭikâya. The Ustekâya ( No. 339 ) is a small fruit, and the Tâṭikâya ( No. 390 ) a large fruit. Applied to exactions imposed upon people for religious purposes greater than they can bear.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a minor issue or a small entity is governed by overly complex, heavy, or disproportionate rules and theories. It highlights the absurdity of having excessive bureaucracy or complicated procedures for a very small and simple matter.
నాలుక తీపి, లోన విషము
naluka tipi, lona vishamu
Sweet on the tongue, poison inside
This expression describes a hypocritical person who speaks very kindly and sweetly to your face but harbors malicious intentions or hatred in their heart. It is used to warn others about deceitful people who hide their true nature behind pleasant words.
ఎట్లా చిగురుబోణికైనా, వేపకాయంత వెట్టుంటుంది.
etla chigurubonikaina, vepakayanta vettuntundi.
No matter how tender the sprout is, it will have a bitterness as large as a neem fruit.
This expression is used to convey that even the most beautiful or seemingly perfect person or situation has some inherent flaw, hidden sorrow, or minor bitterness. Just as a tender plant (chiguruboni) might still carry the bitterness associated with nature, every individual faces their own share of troubles or possess some defects.
వేసంగి పంట ఒకనాటి పంట.
vesangi panta okanati panta.
A summer crop is a one-day crop.
This proverb highlights the volatility and risk associated with summer farming. Due to extreme heat or water scarcity, a standing crop that looks healthy can perish or be harvested in a single day, implying that its success is highly uncertain compared to other seasons.
వేడినీళ్లకు వేసవికి ఎంత చలవో, నీకూ నాకూ అంత చలవ.
vedinillaku vesaviki enta chalavo, niku naku anta chalava.
There is as much coolness between you and me as there is in hot water and hot weather. Coolness is here a term for friendship. Said ironically.
This is a sarcastic expression used to describe a relationship filled with animosity, heat, or friction. Since hot water and summer are both inherently hot, there is zero 'coolness' (peace/harmony) between them. It is used to say that two people are constantly at odds and have a very strained or hostile relationship.
ఎంత మంచి గొల్ల కయినా వేపకాయంత వెట్టి లేకపోలేదు
enta manchi golla kayina vepakayanta vetti lekapoledu
No matter how good a shepherd is, he will still have a madness the size of a neem fruit.
This expression suggests that even the most sensible or virtuous person has a small streak of eccentricity, madness, or a particular flaw. It is used to point out that perfection is impossible and everyone has their own unique quirk or irrational trait.
ఎంత మంచి గొల్లవాడైనా వేపకాయంత వెర్రి ఉంటుంది.
enta manchi gollavadaina vepakayanta verri untundi.
No matter how good a cowherd is, there will be a madness the size of a neem fruit.
This expression suggests that even the most intelligent or virtuous person will have at least one small eccentricity, flaw, or moment of foolishness. It is used to point out that perfection is impossible and everyone has their own small quirks or weaknesses.