If you grew up in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, or somewhere else in the diaspora, you probably know the exact feeling of the Sunday WhatsApp video call to India. Your parents hand you the phone, you see your Ammamma and Thatha (grandparents) smiling brightly on the screen, and you freeze. You manage a quick "Hi, I'm good," answer a few questions in English, and awkwardly hand the phone back to your mom.
You understand what they are saying, but speaking back feels impossible.
Your grandparents might not be entirely comfortable in English, and you are not comfortable in Telugu. Speaking even a little bit of Telugu bridges the generational gap, shows immense respect, and transforms those awkward video calls into genuine conversations.
Here is your survival guide to speaking with your grandparents, complete with the cultural nuances you need to know. A quick note on names: Ammamma is your mother's mother, Nayanamma is your father's mother, and Thatha is your grandfather.
On a Call: Greetings and Check-ins in Telugu
Start strong. Ditch the English "Hello" and use these standard, respectful Telugu greetings.
- Namaskāram Ammamma / Thatha (నమస్కారం అమ్మమ్మ / తాత) - Greetings Grandma / Grandpa!
- Ela unnāru? (ఎలా ఉన్నారు?) - How are you? (This uses the respectful plural form. For youngsters you would use the singular Ela unnāvu?)
- Nēnu bāgunnānu (నేను బాగున్నాను) - I am doing well / I am fine.
- Mīru ēm chēstunnāru? (మీరు ఏం చేస్తున్నారు?) - What are you doing right now? (You can even drop the Mīru if you choose, and just say ēm chēstunnāru?)
- Chālā rōjulayindi māṭlāḍi (చాలా రోజులయింది మాట్లాడి) - We haven't spoken in many days.
Enquiring about Health and Well-being in Telugu
Grandparents will deeply appreciate you checking in on their well-being. Asking about their health shows maturity and deep care.
- Ārōgyam bāgundā? (ఆరోగ్యం బాగుందా?) - Are you feeling well? / Is your health okay?
- Mātarulu vēsukunnārā? (మాత్రలు వేసుకున్నారా?) - Did you take your tablets / medicines?
- Oḷḷu noppulu unnāyā? (ఒళ్ళు నొప్పులు ఉన్నాయా?) - Do you have body aches? (A very common grandparent ailment to check on!)
- Koncham rest tīskōnḍi (కొంచెం రెస్ట్ తీసుకోండి) - Please take some rest.
- Mellagā naḍavanḍi (మెల్లగా నడవండి) - Please walk slowly/carefully.
Mealtime in Telugu: Ammamma's Love Language
In a Telugu household and generally in Indian households, food is how elders show love. Whether you are visiting India or they are visiting you abroad, meals are the center of family life.
To navigate a meal, you need to know a few core command words (always in their respectful forms):
Kāvāli (Want), Waddu (Don't want), Chālu (Enough), Ivvanḍi (Give), and Vēyanḍi (Serve/Put).
Pair these with common everyday foods like Annam (Rice), Chāru (Spiced soup-style dish, also known as Rasam), Dōsha (Savoury crepes, also known as Dosa), Perugu (Curd/Yogurt), Majjiga (Buttermilk), Kūra (Vegetable curry), Pachchaḍi (Chutney or pickle) and Āvakāya (Spicy mango pickle), and you are ready for any meal!
- Bhōjanam ayindā? (భోజనం అయిందా?) - Have you eaten? (Expect this to be one of their first questions to you on any call. It is often shortened to "bōn chēsārā?". It is not just about food - it is a warm way of saying I enquire about your meal because I care about your well being.)
- Nā bhōjanam ayindi, mīdi? (నా భోజనం అయింది, మీది?) - I have eaten, what about yours?
- Ēm vanṭa chēsāru? (ఏం వంట చేశారు?) - What did you cook today?
- Annam chāru vēyanḍi (అన్నం చారు వేయండి) - Please serve me rice and rasam.
- Āvakāya ivvanḍi (ఆవకాయ ఇవ్వండి) - Please give me the pickle.
- Inkoncham kāvāli (ఇంకొంచెం కావాలి) - I want a little more.
- Idi waddu, adi kāvāli (ఇది వద్దు, అది కావాలి) - I don't want this, I want that.
- Chālu chālu! (చాలు చాలు!) - Enough, enough! (Essential when Ammamma is trying to overfeed you!)
- Chālā ruchigā undi! (చాలా రుచిగా ఉంది!) - It is very delicious!
- Kaḍupu nindindi (కడుపు నిండింది) - My stomach is full.
Sharing Your Daily Life (School & Work)
Grandparents love hearing about your day, even if it is just mundane details about school or your job. Keep it simple and relatable.
- Nā class ayipōyindi (నా క్లాస్ అయిపోయింది) - My class is finished.
- Ivāḷa chālā pani undi (ఇవాళ చాలా పని ఉంది) - I have a lot of work today.
- Rēpu selavu (రేపు సెలవు) - Tomorrow is a holiday / day off.
- Bayaṭaku veḷḷārā? (బయటకు వెళ్ళారా?) - Did you go outside today?
- Mīru TV chūstunnārā? (మీరు టీవీ చూస్తున్నారా?) - Are you watching TV right now?
Showing Affection and Saying Goodbye
Distance is hard for diaspora families. These phrases help bridge the physical gap between you and your grandparents as you wrap up the call.
- Mimmalni miss chēstunnānu (మిమ్మల్ని మిస్ చేస్తున్నాను) - I am missing you.
- Tvaragā ikkaḍiki ranḍi (త్వరగా ఇక్కడికి రండి) - Come here (visit us) soon.
- Mēmu tvaralō akkaḍiki vastāmu (మేము త్వరలో అక్కడికి వస్తాము) - We will come there (to India) soon.
- Ammaku / Nānnaku phone istānu (అమ్మకు / నాన్నకు ఫోన్ ఇస్తాను) - I will give the phone to Mom / Dad now. (The perfect transition when you run out of things to say!)
- Veḷḷi vastānu / Veḷḷostānu (వెళ్ళి వస్తాను / వెళ్ళొస్తాను) - I will take leave now. (Remember: in Telugu, people usually avoid saying a flat "I am going", and instead promise a return. Always say Veḷḷi vastānu, or its shortened form Veḷḷostānu, which literally means "I will go and come back").
Ready to Surprise Your Grandparents with Your Telugu?
You do not need to be perfectly fluent to bring tears of joy to your grandparents' eyes. Just using a few of these phrases on your next WhatsApp call will make them incredibly proud of you for making the effort to keep your heritage alive.
If you want to progress from phrases and words to having real conversations in Telugu, a bit of structure makes a big difference. Start with Bhashafy's Complete Telugu Course for Beginners and see how far a little consistency can take you.
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Thank you, or as we say in Telugu - Dhanyavādālu!
