Telugu phrasebook

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"

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. "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. (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 . : Nenu name of language sarigga matladalenu. (IGH cant speek ING-lush )
; 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 , 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, 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?)
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