뜻
Someone who cannot do simple tasks.
문화적 배경
In villages, chickens are often 'Naattu Kozhi' (country chickens) which are very fast and can fly onto roofs. Catching them requires skill, making the idiom very relatable. Comedians like Goundamani and Vadivelu often use this idiom to mock characters who act 'extra' or 'posh' but are actually useless. The full proverb mentions 'Vaikundam' (Lord Vishnu's abode). It mocks the idea of seeking spiritual liberation when one hasn't even mastered basic earthly duties. In Chennai's IT hubs, this idiom is making a comeback to describe 'paper tigers'—people with many certificates but no practical coding skills.
Use for Sarcasm
This is best used when you want to be funny and biting at the same time. It's a 'smart' insult.
Gender Matters
Always check if you are talking about a man (-avan) or a woman (-aval).
뜻
Someone who cannot do simple tasks.
Use for Sarcasm
This is best used when you want to be funny and biting at the same time. It's a 'smart' insult.
Gender Matters
Always check if you are talking about a man (-avan) or a woman (-aval).
The Full Version
Using the full 'Vaikundam' version makes you sound like a Tamil scholar or a very wise elder.
The 'Zhi' Sound
Pronouncing the 'zhi' in 'Kozhi' correctly is the mark of a good Tamil learner. Don't say 'Koli'!
셀프 테스트
Complete the idiom with the correct word.
கூரை ஏறி ______ பிடிக்காதவன் வானம் ஏறி வைகுண்டம் போவானாம்.
The idiom specifically uses 'கோழி' (chicken) as it was a common rural task.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
Situation: Kumar wants to build a spaceship but he doesn't know how to fix a bicycle puncture.
The idiom is used when someone fails at a simple task (fixing a bike) but dreams of a big one (spaceship).
Choose the best response for the dialogue.
Ravi: 'I will become the Prime Minister and change the world!' Sita: 'You can't even keep your room clean! _________'
Sita is mocking Ravi's grand claim by pointing out his basic failure.
Identify the correct feminine form of the idiom.
How do you say this about a woman?
The suffix '-aval' is used for the feminine singular.
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시각 학습 자료
Literal vs. Figurative
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제கூரை ஏறி ______ பிடிக்காதவன் வானம் ஏறி வைகுண்டம் போவானாம்.
The idiom specifically uses 'கோழி' (chicken) as it was a common rural task.
Situation: Kumar wants to build a spaceship but he doesn't know how to fix a bicycle puncture.
The idiom is used when someone fails at a simple task (fixing a bike) but dreams of a big one (spaceship).
Ravi: 'I will become the Prime Minister and change the world!' Sita: 'You can't even keep your room clean! _________'
Sita is mocking Ravi's grand claim by pointing out his basic failure.
How do you say this about a woman?
The suffix '-aval' is used for the feminine singular.
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자주 묻는 질문
14 질문It is a mild to moderate insult. It's more about mocking incompetence than being hateful.
Yes! If you fail at something simple, you can say 'நானே ஒரு கூரை ஏறி கோழி பிடிக்காதவன்' as a self-deprecating joke.
கூரை ஏறி கோழி பிடிக்காதவள் (Koorai eri kozhi pidikkadhaval).
Rarely. It's mostly spoken or used in creative/journalistic writing.
It is the heavenly abode of Lord Vishnu, representing the highest possible achievement.
Because chickens are common, small, and catching them is a basic but necessary task in rural life.
Yes: கூரை ஏறி கோழி பிடிக்காதவர்கள் (Koorai eri kozhi pidikkadhavargal).
It might be a bit harsh for a small child. Better to use it for adults who should know better.
Yes, the metaphor of 'basic task vs. big talk' is universal.
Curl your tongue to the roof of your mouth without touching it and make a sound between 'l' and 'r'.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but you could say 'சகலகலாவல்லவன்' (master of all arts).
Not necessarily laziness, but a lack of practical ability or 'common sense'.
Absolutely not! It is way too informal.
It is a fragment of a proverb that is used as an idiom.
관련 표현
வெறும் வாயால் வடை சுடுவது
similarFrying vadas with just the mouth (all talk, no action).
ஆடாத் தசைக்கு ஒன்பது குத்து
similarStabbing a muscle that doesn't move nine times (beating a dead horse/useless effort).
கைக்கு எட்டியது வாய்க்கு எட்டவில்லை
contrastWhat reached the hand didn't reach the mouth.
புலி எட்டடி பாய்ந்தால், குட்டி பதினாறு அடி பாயும்
contrastIf the tiger leaps 8 feet, the cub leaps 16.
