How do I politely say 'Hello' in Telugu?

The safest and most polite phrase is 'Namaskaram' (నమస్కారం). In professional or casual settings, many just use English greetings.

What is the magic word for politeness in Telugu?

The suffix '-andi' (అండి). Add it to verbs or even English words to show immediate respect (e.g., 'Cheppandi' - Please tell, 'Kurchondi' - Please sit).

Why do they ask 'Have you eaten' as a greeting?

Asking 'Tinnara?' (Have you eaten?) or 'Bhojanam chesara?' is a culturally ingrained way to show hospitality and personal care, equivalent to asking 'How are you?'. It is polite to reply 'Tinnanu' (I ate).

Is Telugu difficult to pronounce?

Since almost every word ends in a vowel, it has a flowing, musical quality. Stressing the correct syllables and getting the rolling 'r' and retroflex 'l' sounds right takes practice, but locals appreciate any effort.

How do I address a stranger respectfully?

Call a slightly older male 'Anna' (brother) or a respectfully older man 'Uncle' or 'Sir'. For women, use 'Akka' (sister) or 'Aunty'/'Madam'. Suffixing a name with 'Garu' is the highest form of respect.

How do I politely say 'Hello' in Telugu?

The safest and most polite phrase is 'Namaskaram' (నమస్కారం). In professional or casual settings, many just use English greetings.

What is the magic word for politeness in Telugu?

The suffix '-andi' (అండి). Add it to verbs or even English words to show immediate respect (e.g., 'Cheppandi' - Please tell, 'Kurchondi' - Please sit).

Why do they ask 'Have you eaten' as a greeting?

Asking 'Tinnara?' (Have you eaten?) or 'Bhojanam chesara?' is a culturally ingrained way to show hospitality and personal care, equivalent to asking 'How are you?'. It is polite to reply 'Tinnanu' (I ate).

Is Telugu difficult to pronounce?

Since almost every word ends in a vowel, it has a flowing, musical quality. Stressing the correct syllables and getting the rolling 'r' and retroflex 'l' sounds right takes practice, but locals appreciate any effort.

How do I address a stranger respectfully?

Call a slightly older male 'Anna' (brother) or a respectfully older man 'Uncle' or 'Sir'. For women, use 'Akka' (sister) or 'Aunty'/'Madam'. Suffixing a name with 'Garu' is the highest form of respect.

Telugu Phrases Hub

Essential Telugu Phrases — Complete Guide with Pronunciation & Cultural Context

Learn essential Telugu phrases for daily use — from daily greetings to essential questions. Includes native script, transliteration, pronunciation, and cultural context.

About the Language

Telugu (తెలుగు) is known as the "Italian of the East" due to its melodious nature, where almost all words end in vowels. It is the official language of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, spoken by over 82 million people globally. Knowing a few basic Telugu phrases will earn you tremendous respect from locals, whether you are traversing the IT corridors of Hyderabad or exploring the beautiful coastal towns of Andhra. Like many South Indian languages, Telugu places a high value on respect in its grammatical structure. When speaking to elders, superiors, or strangers, verbs are often suffixed with ‘andi’ (అండి) to show politeness. For example, "Come" is "Raa" (casual), but "Randī" (polite). If you remember nothing else, appending "andi" to your sentences instantly makes you sound respectful. This list focuses on day-to-day conversational Telugu. Learning these will give you a major advantage in breaking the ice, negotiating with local vendors, and sharing warm moments with native speakers.

Top 20 Essential Phrases

Here are the most common phrases. Pay attention to the formality level to ensure you sound polite!

English	Native Script	Pronunciation	Formality / Context
Hello / Greetings Greetings • formal	నమస్కారం Namaskaram	🔈nuh-mus-KAA-rum	formalGreetings Traditional greeting for all occasions.
How are you? (Formal) Greetings • formal	మీరు ఎలా ఉన్నారు? Meeru ela unnaru?	🔈mee-ru e-la un-naa-ru?	formalGreetings Standard polite way to ask someone's well-being.
I am fine. Greetings • neutral	నేను బాగున్నాను Nenu bagunnanu	🔈nay-nu baa-gun-naa-nu	neutralGreetings Standard response.
What is your name? Basics • formal	మీ పేరు ఏమిటి? Mee peru emiti?	🔈mee pay-ru ay-mi-ti?	formalBasics Politely asking someone's name.
My name is... Basics • neutral	నా పేరు... Naa peru...	🔈naa pay-ru...	neutralBasics Introducing yourself.
Thank you Politeness • formal	ధన్యవాదాలు Dhanyavadalu	🔈dhun-ya-VAA-daa-lu	formalPoliteness Formal expression of gratitude.
Sorry / Excuse me Politeness • formal	క్షమించండి Kshaminchandi	🔈ksha-min-chan-di	formalPoliteness Polite apology or getting attention.
Yes Basics • neutral	అవును Avunu	🔈a-vu-nu	neutralBasics General agreement.
No Basics • neutral	క్యాదు / వద్దు Kaadu / Vaddu	🔈kaa-du / vud-du	neutralBasics 'Kaadu' means it is not / no (fact). 'Vaddu' means 'I don't want'.
I don't know Communication • neutral	నాకు తెలియదు Naaku teliyadu	🔈naa-ku te-li-ya-du	neutralCommunication When you have no information.
Do you know English? Communication • formal	మీకు ఇంగ్లీష్ వచ్చా? Meeku English vaccha?	🔈mee-ku English vach-chaa?	formalCommunication Asking if they speak English.
Where is the bathroom? Travel • neutral	బాత్రూమ్ ఎక్కడ ఉంది? Bathroom ekkada undi?	🔈baath-room ek-ka-da un-di?	neutralTravel Essential travel question.
How much is this? Shopping • neutral	ఇది ఎంత? Idi entha?	🔈i-di en-tha?	neutralShopping Shopping phrase.
Please reduce the price. Shopping • formal	కొంచెం తగ్గించండి Konchem tagginchandi	🔈kon-chem tag-gin-chan-di	formalShopping Polite negotiation.
I want this. Shopping • neutral	నాకు ఇది కావాలి Naaku idi kaavali	🔈naa-ku i-di kaa-vaa-li	neutralShopping Pointing to an item you want to buy.
I don't want this. Shopping • neutral	నాకు ఇది వద్దు Naaku idi vaddu	🔈naa-ku i-di vud-du	neutralShopping Politely declining.
Very good Feedback • neutral	చాలా బాగుంది Chaalaa baagundi	🔈chaa-laa baa-gun-di	neutralFeedback Complimenting food or items.
Did you eat? Greetings • formal	తిన్నారా? Tinnara?	🔈tin-naa-raa?	formalGreetings Cultural greeting showing care.
See you later Farewell • neutral	మళ్ళీ కలుద్దాం Malli kaluddam	🔈mal-lee ka-lud-daam	neutralFarewell Casual way to say goodbye.
Goodbye (I will go and come) Farewell • neutral	వెళ్ళి వస్తాను Velli vastanu	🔈vel-li vas-taa-nu	neutralFarewell Culturally appropriate goodbye (saying you will return).

Explore by Category

Dive deeper into specific topics with comprehensive vocabulary lists.

Greetings & Farewells

Learn how to greet respectfully in Telugu. Master "Namaskaram", casual phrases like "Ela unnaru?", pronunciation, and Andhra/Telangana etiquette.

Love & Romance

Express your feelings in Telugu. Learn how to say "Nenu ninnu premisthunnanu", give beautiful compliments, and use terms like Bangaram.

Family Terms & Relatives

Learn exactly what to call your Telugu relatives. Master words like Nanna, Peddananna, Pinni, and Mavayya. Show respect and cultural fluency.

Formal & Business Phrases

Impress clients in Hyderabad with formal Telugu. Learn phrases for meetings, agreements, polite rejections, and professional etiquette.

Daily Essentials & Basics

Essential Telugu phrases for beginners. Learn how to say yes, no, what, where, and basic day-to-day vocabulary to survive in Andhra and Telangana.

Cultural Context & Non-Verbal Cues

🏛️ Understanding the Culture

Respect is embedded deeply into Telugu culture, not just in language but in behavior. The traditional greeting is "Namaskaram" (నమస్కారం), often done with folded hands. However, in urban areas like Hyderabad, a simple "Hello" or asking "Tinnara?" (Did you eat?) is a very common icebreaker. When addressing someone who is older or in a respected position, terms like "Garu" (గారు - meaning Sir/Madam) are added after their name. For example, "Ramesh Garu". When addressing peers or strangers on the street, using "Anna" (brother) for men and "Akka" (sister) for women helps establish a friendly, trusting rapport instantly. Remember, the tone and the "Andi" suffix are your best tools. Even if you don't know the exact Telugu word, using an English word followed by "andi" (e.g., "Sorry andi", "Thank you andi") is culturally accepted and highly appreciated!

Real-World Conversation Examples

💬 Situation: Meeting someone respectfully

"Namaskaram! Meeru ela unnaru?"Hello! How are you (formal)?

"Nenu bagunnanu. Meeru ela unnaru?"I am fine. How are you?

"Bagunnanu, dhanyavadalu."I am fine, thank you.

Why this works: Notice the use of "Meeru" (formal You) instead of "Nuvvu" (casual You). Addressing someone formally is always the safest bet when meeting them for the first time.

💬 Situation: Asking a local vendor for the price

You:

"Anna, idi entha?"Brother, how much is this?

Vendor:

"Vanda rupayalu andi."One hundred rupees, sir/madam.

You:

"Chala ekkuva. Konchem taggiyandi."Too much. Please reduce a bit.

Why this works: Using "Anna" (brother) breaks the ice. "Konchem taggiyandi" is the formal/polite request to lower the price during bargaining.

Frequently Asked Questions

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