Are you moving to Hyderabad for work or higher education and want to learn Telugu? While I’m sure you will enjoy the food, culture, history and all the opportunities the city has to offer, there will also be this feeling that you cannot understand this new language being spoken all around you. From auto drivers to shopkeepers to PG landlords, everyone around you speaks Telugu, and you want to learn enough Telugu to get by.
The good news is that learning Telugu is not too difficult with the right guidance! And that’s exactly what I’m here to do for you today. This article will give you the 30 most essential survival Telugu phrases every newcomer to Hyderabad must know. These phrases will make your life easier and help you navigate the city right from Day 1!
Furthermore, Hyderabad runs on Telugu mixed with English and a bit of Hindi, not pure textbook Telugu, and that’s how we’ve designed these essential Telugu phrases too – not pure formal Telugu, but natural sentences that you can actually speak with locals.
So come, Randi, let’s get started!
30 Essential Survival Telugu Phrases
1. Namaskaaram – Hello
A polite and respectful way to greet anyone.
Simple, friendly, and safe to use anywhere.
Example: “Namaskaaram anna, Namaskaaram aunty!”
2. Tinnaara? – Have you eaten?
One of the most Hyderabad things you will hear. This is often used in place of “Hello”. “Tinnaara?” literally means “Have you eaten?”
Example: “Namaskaaram sir! Tinnaara?”
3. Cheyyandi – Do
The most powerful Telugu word for survival! Add Cheyyandi to any English word to turn it into Telugu.
Example: “Adjust cheyyandi”, “Wait cheyyandi”, “Bill cheyyandi”, “Call cheyyandi”, “Repair cheyyandi”.
4. Enta? – How much?
Perfect for shopping, autos, and buses.
Example: “Anna, water bottle enta?”
5. Baagunnaara? – How are you?
The standard way to say How are you in Telugu
Example: “Baagunnaara anna?”
6. Baagunnaanu – I am fine
Standard reply for “I am fine” in Telugu
Example: “Baagunnaanu, thank you.”
7. Mee peru enti? – What is your name?
Example: “Mee peru enti madam?”
8. Naa peru Mukesh – My name is Mukesh
Replace Mukesh with your own name.
Example: “Naa peru Ritu. Nenu kotta tenant.”
9. Teesukondi – Take
Universal word for giving something or directions.
To an auto driver: “Left teesukondi, next signal.”
Or at a shop: “Change teesukondi sir.”
10. Ivvandi – Give
Very useful while shopping or at a restaurant.
Example: “Ok plate dosa ivvandi”
11. Vasta – Bye, or I will come back
“Vasta” means “I’ll come back”, which is commonly used while leaving.
Example: “Okay anna, vasta!”
12. Enti – What
Useful for clarifications.
Example: “Enti problem sir?”
13. Ekkada – Where
Very useful for directions.
Example: “Metro station ekkada?”
14. Randi – Please come / Welcome
Means “Please come”, often used like “Welcome”.
Example: “Randi randi… Tindi cheyyandi!”
15. Aapandi – Stop
To stop an auto or bus.
Example: “Anna, ikkada aapandi.”
16. Avunu – Yes
Standard way to say “Yes” in Telugu
Example: “Avunu, PhonePe ayyindi.”
17. Kaadu – No
Standard way to say “No” in Telugu
Example: “Change ledu, Google Pay cheyyandi.”
18. Kavali – Want
Useful when ordering food
Example: “Extra chutney kavali”
19. Vaddhu – Don’t want
Example: “Coffee lo sugar vaddhu.”
20. Chaalu – Enough
Very useful when eating at hotels or messes.
Example: “Rice chaalu!”
21. Teliyadu – I don’t know
Example: “Hyderabad kotta. Telugu teliyadu.”
22. Nenu Telugu nerchukuntunnaanu – I am learning Telugu
Example: “Nenu Telugu nerchukuntunnaanu sir.”
People love hearing this!
23. Naa ooru Delhi – My hometown is Delhi
Replace Delhi with your hometown.
Example: “Naa ooru Kolkata.”
24. Pani – Work
Means “work” as a noun or verb.
Example: “Pani cheyyandi!”
25. Koncham – A little
You’ll hear this everywhere.
Example: “Koncham wait cheyyandi”, “Koncham adjust cheyyandi”.
26. Ekkuva – More
Opposite of Koncham. USe it when you want more of smoething.
Example: “Rice ekkuva kavali”, “Volume ekkuva cheyyandi.”
27. Neellu – Water
It’s always good to know the local word for water wherever you go.
Example: “Oka glass neellu”
28. Ikkada – Here ; Akkada – There
Important for directions.
Example: “Auto anna, ikkada right, akkada left.”
29. Padaa – Let’s go
Commonly heard during lunch breaks or after work.
Example: “Padaa, lunch time ayyindi!”
30. Dhanyavaadaalu – Thank you
A polite way to say “Thank you” in Telugu. People from North India will be familiar with Dhanyavaad. This is the same word, just with a “-lu” added which makes it plural. So Dhanyavaadaalu is like saying “Many thanks” in Telugu.
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