Telugu phrasebook

Telugu (తెలుగు) is a language spoken by some 90 million speakers, primarily in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Yanam and also other neighbouring states. It is the most spoken language of the Dravidian family and also the 15th most spoken language in the world.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

a 

like 'a' in "apple", 'a' in "cake", "a" in "amen"

e 

like 'i' in "magazine", 'e' in "bed" (often silent at the end of a word)

i 

like 'i' in "pine", 'i' in "fin"

o 

like 'ow' in "low", like 'o' in "top"

u 

like 'oo' in "hoop", like 'u' in "cup"

Consonants

b 

like 'b' in "bed"

c 

like 's' in "supper", 'k' in "kid"

d 

like 'd' in "dog"

f 

like 'ph' in "phone"

g 

like 'g' in "go", 'j' in "jello"

h 

like 'h' in "help" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries)

j 

like 'dg' in "edge"

k 

like 'c' in "cat"

l 

like 'l' in "love"

m 

like 'm' in "mother"

n 

like 'n' in "nice"

p 

like 'p' in "pig"

q 

like 'q' in "quest" (with "u", almost always)

r 

like 'r' in "row", like 'r' in "feather" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries at end of word)

s 

like 'ss' in "hiss", like 'z' in "haze"

t 

like 't' in "top"

v 

like 'v' in "victory"

w 

like 'w' in "weight"

x 

like 'cks' in "kicks", like 'z' in "haze" (at beginning of a word)

y 

like 'y' in "yes", like 'ie' in "pie", like 'ee' in "flee"

z 

like 'z' in "haze"

Common diphthongs

ay 

like 'ay' in "say"

ai 

like 'ay' in "say"

au 

like 'awe'

ee 

like 'ee' in "see"

ei 

like 'ay' in "say"

ey 

like 'ay' in "say", like 'ee' in "see"

ie 

like 'ee' in "see"

oi 

like 'oy' in "boy"

oo 

like 'oo' in "food", like 'oo' in "good"

ou 

like 'ow' in "cow", like 'oo' in "food", like 'o' in "cot"

ow 

like 'ow' in "cow"

oy 

like 'oy' in "boy"

ch 

like 'ch' in "touch"

sh 

like 'sh' in "sheep"

th 

like 'th' in "this", like 'th' in "those"

gh 

like 'f' in "fish"

ph 

like 'f' in "fish"

Phrase list

Basics

Hello. 

Namaskaram. (Nam-as-kaar-am)(formal)

Thank you 

Dhanyavadhamulu (Dhan-ya-vada-mulu), Nenarlu (Telugu, "Dhanyavadhaalu" is sanskritized version)

Fine, thank you. 

Bagane vunnanu, Dhanyavadhamulu (Baa-gaa-ne-un-naa-nu, FIGHN, Dhan-ya-vada-mulu)

What is your name? 

Nee Peru Yenty? (Mee PAEru YENTI)

My name is ______ . 

Na Peru ______ . (Nah PAEru _____ .)

Nice to meet you. 

mimmalni kalisi nanduku santhosam ga unnadi. (NIGHSS t' meet YOO)

Please. 

Dayachesi. (pleez)

Thanks 

Krithagnathalu. (THANKS) Dhanyavadhamulu (formal) Chala thanks (lit. "Lots of thanks", informal)

You're welcome. 

meeku shubham kalugu gaaka.(formal) just smile.(informal)

Come

Randi. (Run-di)

Come here

Itu randi. (Itu-run-di)

Yes. 

Avunu. (AuNu)

No. 

Ledu (or) Kadu. (Lehdhu, KahDhu)

Excuse me. (getting attention) 

konchem itu choodandi (respectful). (Yehvandi)

Excuse me. (begging pardon) 

idi naa porapaatu. (ehkz-KYOOZ mee)

I'm sorry/Forgive me

Nannu kshaminchandi/manninchandi. (Nan-nu-ksha-min-chan-di)

Goodbye 

Selavu (GUHD-bigh.)

Goodbye (informal) 

untanu(singular) untamu(pl);Bye; taataa (BIGH; taa-taa)

I can't speak name of language [well]. 

Nenu name of language sarigga matladalenu. (IGH cant speek ING-lush [wehl])

Do you speak English? 

meeru english matladuthara ? (ING-lish? Ma tla da tha ra)

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

Ikkada anglamu maatlade vaaru evaraina unnara? (Ik-kada angla bhasha maat-laadae vaaru eva-raaina un-naa-raa?)

Help! 

Rakshinchandi! (Rak-shin-chan-di!)

Look out! 

Atu choodu! (Atu-choo-du!)

Good morning. (formal)

Shubhodayam. ( )(informal): Namasthey.

Good evening. 

(informal): Namasthey.

Good night. 

Shubharathri.(informal): Namasthey.

Good night (to sleep) 

. ( )

I don't understand. 

Naku ardham kaledu. (నాకు అర్దమ్ కాలేదు)

Where is the toilet? 

Marugu dhoddi ekkada vundhi? ( )

Question Words

What

enti

How

ela

Where

ekkada (ఎక్కడ)

When

eppudu (ఎప్పుడు)

Who

evaru (ఎవరు)

How much?

Enta /enta/ ( ఎంత )

Which

edi

Now

ippudu

yes

Avunu /avunu/ ( అవును )

true

nijame

Negative Words

Don't want

Vaddu/Vuddu

don't have

Ledu

no,not that

Kaadu, adi kadu /kaːdu/ ( కాదు )

Don't know to do something

Raadu /raːdu/

I don't feel so great... 

Naaku aarogyam baaledu

No idea

Teliyadu

I don’t understand

Naaku artham kaledu ( నాకు అర్ధం కాలేదు )

Problems

Leave me alone. 

Nannu vantariga vodileyyandi

Don't touch me! 

Nannu muttukoku (muttaku)/ Nannu tAka voddu

I'll call the police. 

Nenu police ni pilustanu

Police! 

Police!

Stop! Thief! 

Apandi! Donga ni

I need your help. 

Naaku mee sahayam kavali.

It's an emergency. 

Idi atyavasarmu (...)

I'm lost. 

Nenu daari tappenu

I lost my bag. 

Naa bag poyindhi

I lost my wallet. 

Naa wallet (purse) poyindi

I'm sick. 

Naaku vontlo baaga ledu

I've been injured. 

Naaku debba tagilindi

I need a doctor. 

Naaku Doctor Kavali. (...)

Can I use your phone? 

mee phone nenu vaada vacha?

Numbers

0 

zero (sunna) - సున్న

1 

one (OkaTi) - ఒకటి

2 

two (renDu) - రెండు

3 

three (mooDu)-మూడు

4 

four (naalugu)

5 

five (aidu)

6 

six (aaru)

7 

seven (ehDu)

8 

eight (enimidi)

9 

nine (tommidi)

10 

ten (padhi)

11 

eleven (padakondu)

12 

twelve (pannendu)

13 

thirteen (padamudu)

14 

fourteen (padnalugu)

15 

fifteen (padihenu)

16 

sixteen (padaharu)

17 

seventeen (padihedu)

18 

eighteen (paddenimidi)

19 

nineteen (panthommidi)

20 

twenty (eravai [informal], eruvadi)

21 

twenty-one (eruvadi okati) - May also be spoken as "eravai okati"

22 

twenty-two (eruvadi rendu) - May also be spoken as "eravai rendu"

23 

twenty-three (eruvadi moodu)

24 

twenty-four (eruvadi naalugu)

25 

twenty-five (eruvadi aidu)

30 

thirty (muppai)

40 

forty (nalabai)

50 

fifty (Yabhai)

60 

sixty (aaravi)

70 

seventy (dabbai)

80 

eighty (enabai)

90 

ninety (thombai)

100 

one hundred (vanda)

200 

two hundred (rendu vandalu)

300 

three hundred (moodu vandalu)

1000 

one thousand (veyyi)

2000 

two thousand (rendu velu)

100,000 

one hundred thousand (laksha)

1,000,000 

one million (padi lakshalu)

10,000,000 

ten million (koti)

1,000,000,000 

one thousand million in UK, one billion in USA (vanda kotlu)

1,000,000,000,000 

formerly one billion in UK, one trillion in USA (Laksha kotlu)

number _____ (train, bus, etc.) 

number _____ (...)

half 

half (Sagam)

less 

less (Takkuva)

more 

more (Ekkuva)

Time

now 

now (Ippudu)

later 

later (Taruvata)

before 

before (Mundu)

morning 

morning (Udayam)

afternoon 

afternoon (Madhyahnam)

evening 

evening (Sayantram)

night 

night (Ratri)

Clock time

one o'clock AM 

one o'clock AM (tellavaru jhaamu ontiganta)

two o'clock AM 

two o'clock AM (tellavaru jhaamu rendu)

noon 

noon (madhyahnam pannendu)

one o'clock PM 

one o'clock PM (madhyahnam ontiganta)

two o'clock PM 

two o'clock PM (madhyahnam rendu)

midnight 

midnight (ardharathri pannendu)

Duration

1 second 

1 second (Oka Kshanam)

10 minute(s) 

10 minute(s) (Padi Nimishalu)

10 hour(s) 

10 hour(s) (Padi gantalu)

_1____ day(s) 

__1___ day(s) (Oka Roju)

__1___ week(s) 

__1___ week(s) (Oka Vaaram)

___1__ month(s) 

__1___ month(s) (Oka Nela)

___1__ year(s) 

___1__ year(s) (Oka Samvatsaram)

1 Decade 

1 Decade (Oka Dasabdham)

1 Centuary 

1 Centuary (Oka Satabdham)

Days

today 

today (Ee nadu/Nedu/Ee Roju)

yesterday 

yesterday (Ninna)

tomorrow 

tomorrow (Repu)

this week 

this week (ee vaaram)

last week 

last week (poyina vaaram/ Gatha Vaaram)

next week 

next week (Vache vaaram)

Sunday 

Sunday (aadi vaaram)

Monday 

Monday (Soma Vaaram)

Tuesday 

Tuesday (Mangala Vaaram)

Wednesday 

Wednesday (Budha Vaaram)

Thursday 

Thursday (Guru Vaaram)

Friday 

Friday (sukhra Vaaram)

Saturday 

Saturday (Sani vaaram)

Months

January 

January (...)

February 

February (...)

March 

March (...)

April 

April (...)

May 

May (...)

June 

June (...)

July 

July (...)

August 

August (...)

September 

September (...)

October 

October (...)

November 

November (...)

December 

December (...)

Writing time and date

The time is written the same in Telugu. As in all places in India, the format is Day/Month/Year.

Example: September 12, 2007

        USA: 09/12/2007
        Telugu: 12/09/2007

Colors

black 

black (nalupu)

white 

white (thelupu)

gray 

gray (boodida)

red 

red (erupu)

blue 

blue (neelam)

yellow 

yellow (pasupu...)

green 

green (Aaku Pachha)

orange 

orange (kamala rangu)

purple 

purple (bachala pandu rangu)

brown 

brown (godhuma rangu)

magenta 

mag (mag rangu)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____? 

How much is a ticket to _____? (-- ku ticket entha?)

One ticket to _____, please. 

One ticket to _____, please. (-- ku oka ticket ivvandi)

Where does this train/bus go? 

Where does this train/bus go? (ee bus/train ekkadiki veltundi?)

Where is the train/bus to _____? 

Where is the train/bus to _____? (-- ku vellalsina bus/trian ekkada?)

Does this train/bus stop in _____? 

Does this train/bus stop in _____? (ee bus/train -- lo aagutunda?)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? (-- ku bus/train eppudu bayaluderutundi?)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

When will this bus arrive in _____? (-- ku bus/trian eppudu cherutundi?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ? 

How do I get to _____ ? (Nenu _____ ki yela vellali?)

...the train station? 

...the train station? (railway station)

...the bus station? 

...the bus station? (bus stand/RTC complex)

...the airport? 

...the airport? (air port)

...downtown? 

...downtown? (main bazaaru)

...the youth hostel? 

...the youth hostel? (Vidhyardhulaa Vasathigtruhamu)

...the _____ hotel? 

...the _____ hotel? (hotel/lodge)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? 

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (...)

Where are there a lot of... 

Where are there a lot of... (Yekkuva _____ yekkada vunnayi?)

...hotels? 

...hotels? (hotels/lodges)

...restaurants? 

...restaurants? (hotels/tiffin centers)

...bars? 

...bars? (bars)

...sites to see? 

...sites to see? (chooda dagga pradesalu)

Can you show me on the map? 

Can you show me on the map? (Patam lo chupinchandi)

street 

street (veedhi)

Turn left. 

Turn left. (yedama vypu ki tirugu)

Turn right. 

Turn right. (kudi vypu ki tirugu)

left 

left (yedama)

right 

right (kudi)

straight ahead 

straight ahead (seeda ga munduku / neruga munduku)

towards the _____ 

towards the _____ (vypu)

past the _____ 

past the _____ (taruvata)

before the _____ 

before the _____ (mundu)

Watch for the _____. 

Watch for the _____. (-- kosam chudandi)

intersection 

intersection (koodali/crossing)

north 

north (uttaram)

south 

south (dakshinam)

east 

east (toorpu)

west 

west (padamara)

uphill 

uphill (yettugadda/konda pyki)

downhill 

downhill (konda kindaki)

Taxi

Taxi! 

Taxi! (Auto)

Take me to _____, please. 

Take me to _____, please. (nannu -- ki teesukuvellandi)

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

How much does it cost to

get to _____? (-- ku velladaniki entha avutundi?)

Take me there, please. 

Take me there, please. (nannu akkadiki teesukuvellandi)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available? 

(Gadhulu khaaliga unnaaya?)

How much is a room for one person/two people? 

(okkariki/iddariki gadi entha avutundi?)

Does the room come with... 

(gadi -- tho vastunda?)

...bedsheets? 

(duppati)

...a bathroom? 

(snanala gadi)

...a telephone? 

(phone/doorashravani / dooravani)

...a TV? 

(TV/dooradharshani)

May I see the room first? 

(Nenu mundhuga gadhi choodavachcha?)

Do you have anything quieter? 

(Koncham nishabdam ga unnavi yehmaina unnaaya?)

...bigger? 

(Peddavi?)

...cleaner? 

(shubramga unnavi)

...cheaper? 

(takkuva dhara vi)

OK, I'll take it. 

(Sare, Nenu idi Teesukuntanu)

I will stay for _____ night(s). 

. (Ikkada nenu -- raatrulu unta)

Can you suggest another hotel? 

(Inka edayina hotel suchinchagalara?)

Do you have a safe? 

(Beeruwa unda?)

...lockers? 

(Saamanula Peattea)

Is breakfast/supper included? 

(Alpaaharam / Ratri Bhojhanam isthara?)

What time is breakfast/supper? 

(Alpaaharam / Ratri bojanam ennintiki pedtaru?)

Please clean my room. 

(Naa room subra parachandi)

Can you wake me at _____? | (Nannu -- intiki leputara?)

I want to check out. 

(Nenu gadi khaali cheyyali anukontunnanu)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

(American/Australian/Canadian dollars teesukuntara?)

Do you accept British pounds? 

(British pounds teesukuntara)

Do you accept credit cards? 

(credit cards teesukuntara?)

Can you change money for me? 

(Dabbulu marchagalara?)

Where can I get money changed? 

(Dabbulu ekkada maarchuko galanu?)

Can you change a traveler's check for me? 

(traveler's check maarchagalara?)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 

(traveler's check ekkada maarchukogalanu?)

What is the exchange rate? 

(exchange rate entha?)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

(ATM ekkada undi?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please. 

A table for one person/two people, please. (okallaki/iddariki oka balla)

Can I look at the menu, please? 

Can I look at the menu, please? (Daicheesi, nenu menu choodachaa?)

Can I look in the kitchen? 

Can I look in the kitchen? (wontagadi choodavacha?)

Is there a house specialty? 

Is there a house specialty? (akkada ellu pratyekata enti..?)

Is there a local specialty? 

Is there a local specialty? (akka local pratyekata unda..?)

I'm a vegetarian. 

I'm a vegetarian. (nenu Saakaaharini)

I don't eat pork. 

I don't eat pork. (Nenu Pandi Mamsam Tinanu)

I don't eat beef. 

I don't eat beef. (Nenu Goddu Mamsam Tinanu)

I only eat kosher food. 

I only eat kosher food. (...)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) 

Can you make it "lite", please? (dayachesi Ghee/Noona thakkuva chayyagalara?)

fixed-price meal 

fixed-price meal ("bojanam okate dhara")

à la carte 

à la carte (...)

breakfast 

breakfast (alpaharam)

brunch 

brunch ("Tiffin")

lunch 

lunch (bhojanam)

tea (teneeru) 

tea (teneeru)

super 

super (chala bagundi)

I want _____. 

I want _____. (Naku kavali...)

I want a dish containing _____. 

I want a dish containing _____. (...)

chicken 

chicken (kodi mamsam)

beef 

beef (goddu mamsam)

fish 

fish (cheapa )

ham 

ham (...)

sausage 

sausage (...)

eggs 

eggs (guddu(singular),gudlu(plural))

salad 

salad ( tinataniki anni rakalu veg/fruits mukkalu gaa kosinavi )

(fresh) vegetables 

(fresh) vegetables (Taaja Kooragayalu)

(fresh) fruit 

(fresh) fruit (Taaja Pandlu)

bread 

bread (Rottea)

toast 

toast (doraga vepinadi )

noodles 

noodles ()

rice 

rice (Annam)

beans 

beans (Chikkudu)

May I have a glass of _water____? 

May I have a glass of _____? (naaku oka lota neellu___ ivvagalara?)

May I have a cup of _tea____? 

May I have a cup of _____? (oka cup tea ivvandi)

May I have a bottle of _____? 

May I have a bottle of _____? (naku oka _____bottel kavali)

coffee 

coffee (...)

tea (drink) 

tea (teaneeru)

juice 

juice (rasam)

(bubbly) water 

water (neellu / neeru)

water 

water (neellu)

beer 

beer (...)

red/white wine 

red/white wine (...)

May I have some _____? 

May I have some _____? (naaku koncham ____ ivvagalara?)

salt 

salt (uppu)

black pepper 

black pepper (Miriyalu)

butter 

butter (venna)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Excuse me, waiter? (...)

I'm finished. 

I'm finished. ( nenu purti chesanu )

It was delicious. 

It was delicious. (adi chaalaa kamma gaa vundi)

Please clear the plates. 

Please clear the plates. (dayachesi plates theeseyandi)

The check, please. 

The check, please. (dayachesi cheque ivvandi)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol? 

Do you serve alcohol? (Mandhu unda?)

Is there table service? 

Is there table service? (Table service unda)

A beer/two beers, please. 

A beer/two beers, please. (...)

A glass of red/white wine, please. 

A glass of red/white wine, please. (...)

A pint, please. 

A pint, please. (...)

A bottle, please. 

A bottle, please. (...)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. 

_____ and _____, please. (...)

whiskey 

whiskey (...)

vodka 

vodka (...)

rum 

rum (...)

water 

water (neeru / neellu)

club soda 

club soda (...)

tonic water 

tonic water (...)

orange juice 

orange juice (...)

Coke (soda) 

Coke (...)

Do you have any bar snacks? 

Do you have any bar snacks? (Thinadaaniki emaina unnaya)

One more, please. 

One more, please. (Inkokati)

Another round, please. 

Another round, please. (Inka okati)

When is closing time? 

When is closing time? (Closing time enti?)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 

Do you have this in my size? (Idi naa size lo wunda?)

How much is this? 

How much is this? (Idi enta outhundee)

That's too expensive. 

That's too expensive. (adi chaala ekkuva khareedainadi)

Would you take _____? 

Would you take _____? (___ni theesukuntara?)

expensive 

expensive (khareedainadi)

cheap 

cheap (chavaka)

I can't afford it. 

I can't afford it. (...)

I don't want it. 

I don't want it. (Naku Idi vaddu)

You're cheating me. 

You're cheating me. (nuvvu nannu mosam chesthunnaavu)

I'm not interested. 

I'm not interested. (naku istam ledu)

OK, I'll take it. 

OK, I'll take it. (sare Theesukunta)

Can I have a bag? 

Can I have a bag? (naku oka sanchi Ivvagalara...)

Do you ship (overseas)? 

Do you ship (overseas)? (...)

I need... 

I need... (naku avasaram...)

...toothpaste. 

...toothpaste. (Dhanthadhavana churnam...)

...a toothbrush. 

...a toothbrush. (...)

...tampons. 

...tampons. (...)

...soap. 

...soap. (sabbu)

...shampoo. 

...shampoo. (...)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) 

...pain reliever. (...Noppi nivarini)

...cold medicine. 

...cold medicine. (jalubu mandu)

...stomach medicine. 

...stomach medicine. (kadupu noppi mandu/ potta noppi mandu)

...a razor. 

...a razor. (...)

...an umbrella. 

...an umbrella. (godugu)

...sunblock lotion. 

...sunblock lotion. (...)

...a postcard. 

...a postcard. (utharam)

...postage stamps. 

...postage stamps. (...)

...batteries. 

...batteries. (...)

...writing paper. 

...writing paper. (...vrasukone kaagithamu)

...a pen. 

...a pen. (kalamu)

...English-language books. 

...English-language books. (aangla basha pustakamulu)

...English-language magazines. 

...English-language magazines. (...aangla basha patrikalu)

...an English-language newspaper. 

...an English-language newspaper. (oka aangla basha varthaapatrika)

...an English-English dictionary. 

...an English-English dictionary. (oka aanglamu-aanglamu nighantuvu...)

Driving

I want to rent a car. 

I want to rent a car. (naaku caru addeku kavali)

Can I get insurance? 

Can I get insurance? (Naaku bhima vastunda?)

stop (on a street sign) 

stop (aagumu)

one way 

one way (oka vaipu margam)

yield 

yield (...)

no parking 

no parking (Ichchata vaahanamulu niluparaadu)

speed limit 

speed limit (parimita vegam)

gas (petrol) station 

petrol bunk (banku)

petrol 

petrol ()

diesel 

diesel (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong. 

I haven't done anything wrong. (nenu ye tappu cheyyaledu)

It was a misunderstanding. 

It was a misunderstanding. (nannu apardam chesukunnaru)

Where are you taking me? 

Where are you taking me? (nannu ekkadiki teesuku veltunnaru)

Am I under arrest? 

Am I under arrest? (nenu khaidu cheya baddana ?( nannu khaidu chesaara?)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. 

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (nenu oka American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen )

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. 

I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. ( nenu maa embassy tho maatlaadaali)

I want to talk to a lawyer. 

I want to talk to a lawyer. (nenu oka lawyer tho maatlaadaali)

Can I just pay a fine now? 

Can I just pay a fine now? (nenu jarimaana kattavaccha?)

babuschool lo ela untadu babu school lo bavuntadu chakaga bayldera mundu powder raskuntadu