When should I say 'Namaskaram' vs 'Hello'?

Use 'Namaskaram' for elders, formal functions, or first meetings. In urban areas like Hyderabad, 'Hello' is perfectly fine for peers and colleagues.

What is the magic word for respect in Telugu?

The suffix '-andi' (అండి). Add it to almost any word to immediately make it formal and respectful (e.g., Bagunnara -> Bagunnarandi).

When should I say 'Namaskaram' vs 'Hello'?

Use 'Namaskaram' for elders, formal functions, or first meetings. In urban areas like Hyderabad, 'Hello' is perfectly fine for peers and colleagues.

What is the magic word for respect in Telugu?

The suffix '-andi' (అండి). Add it to almost any word to immediately make it formal and respectful (e.g., Bagunnara -> Bagunnarandi).

Telugu Greetings & Farewells Phrases

Telugu Greetings — Complete Guide with Pronunciation

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

Telugu, often praised by poets as the "Italian of the East" due to its musical, vowel-ending syllables, is widely spoken across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and by a massive global diaspora. Whether you are navigating the IT corridors of Hyderabad, visiting a friend in Vizag, or meeting your Telugu in-laws for the first time, getting the greetings right is essential. While "Namaskaram" (నమస్కారం) represents the formal bedrock of respect, native speakers have an arsenal of warm, welcoming questions that serve as casual greetings. This guide breaks down formal bows, everyday hellos, and the absolute must-know cultural subtleties when addressing anyone in Telugu.

Greetings & Farewells Vocabulary & Phrases

Explore these essential greetings & farewells expressions. Note the formality levels to speak appropriately!

English	Native Script	Pronunciation	Formality / Context
Hello Greetings • formal	నమస్కారం Namaskaram	🔈na-mas-KAA-ram	formalGreetings Standard respectful greeting.
Welcome Greetings • formal	స్వాగతం Swagatham	🔈SWAA-ga-tham	formalGreetings Often seen on boards. Casually: "Randi" (Please come).
Please come inside Greetings • formal	లోపలికి రండి Lopaliki randi	🔈LO-pa-li-ki RAN-di	formalGreetings Inviting guests in.
How are you? (Formal) Greetings • formal	మీరు ఎలా ఉన్నారు? Meeru ela unnaru?	🔈MEE-ru e-laa un-NAA-ru?	formalGreetings Addressing elders/strangers.
How are you? (Friendly) Greetings • casual	నువ్వు ఎలా ఉన్నావు? Nuvvu ela unnavu?	🔈NUV-vu e-laa un-NAA-vu?	casualGreetings To friends/younger people.
I am fine Greetings • neutral	నేను బాగున్నాను Nenu bagunnanu	🔈NAY-nu baa-gun-NAA-nu	neutralGreetings Standard positive reply.
What’s up? (casual) Greetings • casual	ఏంటి విశేషాలు? Enti viseshalu?	🔈AYN-ti vi-SAY-shaa-lu?	casualGreetings Friendly check-in (lit. what are the specials/news).
Have you eaten? Greetings • formal	భోజనం చేశారా? Bhojanam chesara?	🔈BHO-ja-nam che-SAA-raa?	formalGreetings Shows care.
I have eaten Greetings • neutral	తిన్నాను / భోజనం చేశాను Thinnanu / Bhojanam chesanu	🔈THIN-naa-nu / BHO-ja-nam che-SAA-nu	neutralGreetings Reply to above.
Are everyone fine at home? Greetings • formal	ఇంట్లో అందరూ బాగున్నారా? Intlo andaru bagunnara?	🔈INT-lo an-da-ru baa-gun-NAA-raa?	formalGreetings Standard polite small talk.
Good Morning Greetings • very_formal	శుభోదయం Shubhodayam	🔈shu-BHO-da-yam	very_formalGreetings Mostly used in writing.
Good Night Greetings • very_formal	శుభరాత్రి Shubharathri	🔈shu-bha-RAA-thri	very_formalGreetings Mostly used in writing.
See you later Farewell • neutral	తర్వాత కలుద్దాం Tharvatha kaluddam	🔈thar-VAA-tha ka-lud-daam	neutralFarewell Casual farewell.
I am going and returning Farewell • formal	వెళ్లివస్తాను Velli vasthanu	🔈VEL-li vas-THAA-nu	formalFarewell Proper respectful goodbye.
Go safely Farewell • formal	జాగ్రత్తగా వెళ్ళండి Jagrathaga vellandi	🔈JAA-gra-tha-gaa vel-LAN-di	formalFarewell Host to departing guest.
Take care Farewell • neutral	జాగ్రత్త Jagratha	🔈JAA-gra-tha	neutralFarewell Well wishes.
Let’s meet tomorrow Farewell • neutral	రేపు కలుద్దాం Repu kaluddam	🔈RAY-pu ka-lud-daam	neutralFarewell Office departure.

Cultural Context & Etiquette

🏛️ Understanding the Culture

In Telugu courtesy, age and status dictate your choice of words. You must append "-andi" (అండి) to verbs and nouns to show respect. For example, a casual "Avunu" (Yes) becomes a respectful "Avunandi" (Yes, sir/madam). This single suffix is the golden key to polite Telugu! Like many other Indian cultures, directly asking "Have you eaten?" (Bhojanam chesara?) is a standard friendly greeting around lunch and dinner times. It shows care and hospitality. When leaving, it is culturally inappropriate to just say "I am going" (Nenu velthunnanu). Traditional folks will correct you to say "Velli vasthanu" (I am going and I will return), promising an unbroken bond.

Real-World Conversation Examples

💬 Situation: Meeting a neighbor

You:

"Namaskaram andi. Ela unnaru?"Hello respectfully. How are you?

Neighbor:

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

You:

"Nenu kuda bagunnanu."I am also fine.

Why this works: The "-andi" suffix is actively used here. The elder uses "babu" (boy/son) to affectionately reply.

Frequently Asked Questions

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