Telugu phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

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)
How are you?: Ela vunnaru?
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. (.)
Please.: Dayachesi. ( )
Thanks: Krithagnathalu. ( ) Dhanyavadhamulu (formal) Chala thanks (lit. "a lot 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. ( )
I'm sorry/Forgive me: Nannu kshaminchandi/manninchandi. (Nan-nu-ksha-min-chan-di)
Goodbye: Selavu ( )
Goodbye (informal): untanu(singular) untamu(pl);Bye; taataa (BIGH; taa-taa)
I can't speak Telugu [well].: ( )
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

Note: While Telugu does have a numeral system similar to Kannada, it is rarely used.

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/train 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/train 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, formally vimanasryam)
...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?)

This Telugu phrasebook is a usable article. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.

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