విత్తుముందా చెట్టుముందా?
vittumunda chettumunda?
Is the seed first or the tree first?
This is the Telugu equivalent of the 'Chicken or the egg' paradox. It is used to describe a circular argument or a situation where it is impossible to determine which of two interacting things is the cause of the other.
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.)*
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.
గింజలు ముత్తుము, పిట్టలు పన్నిద్దుము
ginjalu muttumu, pittalu panniddumu
Three bushels of grain for twelve bushels of birds.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the costs, losses, or overheads far exceed the actual value or profit of a task. It highlights inefficiency or a scenario where the effort put in is outweighed by the external interference or wastage.
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.
పసులముండా అంటే పట్టుతల్లీ అన్నట్టు
pasulamunda ante pattutalli annattu
When called a cattle-widow, she interpreted it as being called a golden mother.
This proverb describes a person who is so thick-skinned, delusional, or foolish that they interpret a harsh insult as a great compliment. It is used to mock someone who fails to understand criticism or remains blissfully unaware of being mocked.
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.
ఇద్దుం చల్లితే ముత్తుము పండినట్లు.
iddum challite muttumu pandinatlu.
Like sowing two measures and harvesting three measures.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a small investment or effort leads to a significant and abundant return. It highlights productivity, prosperity, and the reward of good fortune or hard work.
చెట్టు మీద వాడు జుట్టు మీదకి ఎక్కాడు
chettu mida vadu juttu midaki ekkadu
The person on the tree climbed onto the hair.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who was originally given a small amount of support or a subordinate position begins to dominate, harass, or take undue advantage of their benefactor. It is similar to the English saying 'give them an inch and they'll take a mile.'
కొండవీటి చాంతాడు
kondaviti chantadu
The rope of Kondaveedu
This expression is used to describe something that is excessively long, tedious, or never-ending. It often refers to a very long story, a lengthy speech, or an unnecessarily extended process. Historically, it refers to the deep wells in the Kondaveedu fort which required extremely long ropes to draw water.