వెధవ
vedhava
The Telugu word for "idiot" is వెధవ (vedhava).
వెధవ is used to refer to a person of low general intelligence. While it translates to "idiot", it is often used as a mild insult or a derogatory term for someone perceived as useless or annoying.
Meaning: person of low general intelligence (noun)
Which one should you use?
You might use the formal term బుద్దిహీనుడు to describe someone as 'intellectually deficient' or 'lacking intelligence'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
వెధవ is a colloquial term. For more formal situations where you need to describe someone as lacking intelligence, use బుద్దిహీనుడు.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, native speakers might prefer పిచ్చకాడు to convey the meaning of an 'imbecile' or 'fool'.
How do you pronounce it?
vedhava
Did you know?
- In cinematic Telugu, వెధవ is frequently used as a 'term of endearment' in romantic comedies to show a playful power struggle between couples.
- The word పిచ్చకాడు carries a much heavier weight than 'idiot', as it is closely related to the word for 'madness' or 'insanity'.
- The word బుద్ది (intelligence) inside the formal term బుద్దిహీనుడు is the same root used in the word for 'brain' or 'intellect' in many Indian languages.
Examples in context
- వాడు ఒక వెధవ.vaadu oka vedhava.He is an idiot.
- ఆ వెధవ పని చేయడం లేదు.aa vedhava pani cheyadam ledu.That idiot is not working.
Example conversation
Kavya and Venkat are discussing a clumsy friend.
- కావ్య Kavyaవెంకట్, వాడు నిజంగా ఒక వెధవ.venkat, vaadu nijanga oka vedhava.Venkat, he is truly an idiot.
- వెంకట్ Venkatఅవును, వాడు చాలా వెధవ.avunu, vaadu chaala vedhava.Yes, he is a huge idiot.
- కావ్య Kavyaఅతనిని ఎలా నమ్మాలి?athanini ela nammali?How can we trust him?
- వెంకట్ Venkatఅతని మాటలు నమ్మకు.athani maatalu nammaku.Don't believe his words.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “idiot” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
