Planning a trip to Hyderabad? Moving to Andhra Pradesh for work? Or just curious about learning a new Indian language? Telugu might sound poetic and musical, but it’s also super fun to speak once you get the hang of a few words.
Telugu is one of the most widely spoken Dravidian languages, especially in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. While many people in urban areas speak English or Hindi, knowing some basic Telugu words can make your experience smoother and a whole lot friendlier.
So if you’ve ever said “Naaku Telugu Raadu” (I don’t know Telugu) and wanted to learn more, from the comfort of your home, this one’s for you. Here are 36 basic Telugu words and phrases to know in English that can help you navigate everyday situations.
Common Telugu Words & Phrases
Greetings & Basics
| Telugu Phrase | English Meaning | Pronunciation |
| Namaskaram / Namaste | Hello / Greetings | Na-ma-ska-ram |
| Ela unnaru? | How are you? (Formal) | Ay-la un-na-ru |
| Ela unnavu? | How are you? (Informal) | Ay-la un-na-vu |
| Bagunnanu | I’m fine | Baa-gun-na-nu |
| Dhanyavadamulu | Thank you | Dha-nya-va-da-mu-lu |
| Dayachesi | Please | Da-ya-che-si |
| Sare | Okay | Sa-ray |
| Suswagatham | Welcome | Su-swaa-ga-tham |
| Naku Telugu raadu | I don’t speak Telugu | Naa-koo tel-oo-goo raa-doo |
| English matladagalara? | Can you speak in English? | English maat-laa-da-ga-la-raa |
| Ledhu / Vaddu | No / I don’t want | Lay-dhoo / Vud-doo |
| Avunu | Yes | Ah-voo-noo |
| Cheppu / Cheppandi | Tell me (casual/formal) | Chep-poo / Chep-pan-dee |
Food & Eating Out
Whether you’re ordering biryani in Hyderabad or snacking on idlis at a roadside stall, these words will come in handy:
| Telugu | English Meaning |
| Thinnava? | Did you eat? |
| Bhojanam / Bhojanam ayyinda? | Meal / Had your meal? |
| Tindi / Palaharam | Breakfast / Snack |
| Idli thintava, dosa thintava? | Do you want idli or dosa? |
| Idli bagundhi | Idli is delicious |
| Vedi idli / Vedi tea kavali | Hot idli / I want hot tea |
| Manchi neelu | Drinking water |
| Upavasam | Fasting |
Shopping & Bargaining
From street markets to souvenir stalls, you’ll definitely want to learn how to ask “How much?”
| Telugu | English Meaning |
| Entha? | How much? |
| Idhi enta avutundi? | How much will this cost? |
| Chillara ledu | I don’t have change |
| Chillara undha? | Do you have change? |
| Beram undha? | Is there any discount? |
| Beram ledhu | No bargaining |
| Chaala ekkuva andi | That’s too expensive |
| Konchem thakkuva cheyandi | Please reduce the price |
| Nenu 100 rupees istha | I’ll give only 100 rupees |
Directions & Travel
Getting lost? Need help finding your way? Use these phrases with locals or auto drivers:
| Telugu | English Meaning |
| Ekkada? | Where? |
| Akkada / Ikkada | There / Here |
| Ekkada undhi? | Where is it? |
| Station ekkada undhi? | Where is the station? |
| Ekkadiki povali? | Where do you want to go? |
| Daari choopistara? | Can you show me the way? |
| Tirupati ki ela vellali? | How to get to Tirupati? |
| Mushirabadki vastava? | Will you come to Mushirabad? |
| Nee bandi ekkada? | Where is your vehicle? |
| Station entha dooram? | How far is the station? |
Casual Conversations
Want to sound more local or just make small talk? These Telugu phrases are easy to remember and helpful in daily life:
| Telugu | English Meaning |
| Emi chesthunnaru? | What are you doing? (formal) |
| Emi chesthunnav? | What are you doing? (casual) |
| Inka enti viseshaalu? | What else is new? |
| Emi ayyindi? | What happened? |
| Aarogyam jaagratha | Take care of your health |
| Nenu vellosthanu | I’m leaving / See you soon |
| Em kavali? | What do you want? |
For The Romantics
If you’re falling for someone who speaks Telugu, these lines might just help:
| Telugu | English Meaning |
| Nenu ninnu premisthunnanu | I love you |
| Nuvvu ante naku ishtam | I like you |
| Chaala ishtam | Like you very much |
| Pari podhama? | Shall we elope? |
Telugu Numbers 0–10 (with script!)
| Number | Telugu (Script) | Telugu (Roman) |
| 0 | test? | P?ji |
| 1 | ? | Okati |
| 2 | ? | Rendu |
| 3 | ? | Moodu |
| 4 | ? | Naalugu |
| 5 | ? | Aidhu |
| 6 | ? | Aaru |
| 7 | ? | Edu |
| 8 | ? | Enimidhi |
| 9 | ? | Tommidhi |
| 10 | ?? | Padhi |
Bonus:
- Aidupai – Fifty
- Nooru – One hundred
- Veyyiru – One thousand
Final Thoughts
Learning Telugu doesn’t require months of study or formal classes. With a handful of basic words and a willingness to try, you’ll instantly build rapport with locals—and maybe even score a better deal at the market 😉
Heading to Hyderabad or any Telugu-speaking city soon? Bookmark this blog, try using a few words in daily conversations, and don’t worry about getting it perfect—Telugu folks are warm and encouraging, and they love seeing others make an effort to speak their language.
Want to explore more languages? Check out our blogs on Tamil, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi and Hindi to expand your linguistic skills!
