OoruLearn Telugu: survival phrases for Hyderabad
Telugu is the language of Telangana, and Hyderabad also speaks its own Dakhni Hindi, so you will hear both on the same street. These are the phrases newcomers use most: greetings, talking to auto drivers, asking directions, ordering food, shopping and getting help, with Hyderabadi words at the end. Each one is written the way it sounds, so there is no script to learn.
One-line survival kit
If you learn only five lines, make it these:
- Naaku Telugu raadu: I don't know Telugu
- Meeru English maatlaadataaraa?: Do you speak English?
- Idi entha?: How much is this?
- Ikkada aapandi: Stop here
- Konchem sahaayam cheyyandi: Please help me
Basic Politeness
| English | Telugu (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Hello | Namaskaaram |
| Thank you | Dhanyavaadaalu |
| Yes | Avunu |
| No (there isn't any) | Ledu |
| No (it isn't) | Kaadu |
| Okay | Sare |
| Sorry | Kshaminchandi |
| Please say that again | Malli cheppandi |
| I don't understand | Naaku ardham kaaledu |
| I know a little Telugu | Naaku konchem Telugu vachchu |
Asking Directions
| English | Telugu (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Where is this? | Idi ekkada undi? |
| Where is [place]? | [place] ekkada undi? |
| How far? | Entha dooram? |
| Go straight | Nerugaa vellandi |
| Left side | Edama vaipu |
| Right side | Kudi vaipu |
| Here / There | Ikkada / Akkada |
| Where does this bus go? | Ee bus ekkadiki veltundi? |
Auto / Cab / Metro
| English | Telugu (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| How much to [place]? | [place]-ki entha? |
| Too much | Chaala ekkuva |
| Please reduce a little | Konchem thagginchandi |
| Please turn on the meter | Meter veyyandi |
| Stop here | Ikkada aapandi |
| I have to go to [place] | Nenu [place]-ki vellaali |
| Turn here | Ikkada turn cheyyandi |
| Go slowly | Nemmadigaa vellandi |
Ordering Food
| English | Telugu (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| I want this | Naaku idi kaavaali |
| What is this? | Idi enti? |
| Less spicy | Kaaram takkuva |
| Water | Neellu |
| One more | Inkokati |
| That's enough | Chaalu |
| Bill please | Bill ivvandi |
| Very tasty | Chaala baagundi |
| Have you eaten? (a common greeting) | Tinnaaraa? |
Shopping
| English | Telugu (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| How much is this? | Idi entha? |
| Give me one | Okati ivvandi |
| Give me two | Rendu ivvandi |
| Please pack it | Pack cheyyandi |
| Do you have change? | Chillara undaa? |
Emergency / Help
| English | Telugu (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Help! (Save me!) | Kaapaadandi! |
| Please help | Sahaayam cheyyandi |
| Call the police | Police ni pilavandi |
| Where is the hospital? | Hospital ekkada undi? |
| I am lost | Nenu daari tappipoyaanu |
| I need a doctor | Naaku doctor kaavaali |
Small Talk
| English | Telugu (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| How are you? | Ela unnaru? |
| I'm fine | Bagunnaanu |
| What's your name? | Mee peru enti? |
| My name is… | Naa peru… |
| Where are you from? | Meeru ekkadi nunchi vachchaaru? |
| Come in (polite) | Randi |
| Let's go | Veldaam |
| See you again | Malli kaluddaam |
Hyderabadi Hindi
| English | Telugu (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Yes | Hau |
| No, or don't | Nakko |
| Why? | Kaiku? |
| Slowly | Hallu |
| How much? | Kitta? |
| Totally, absolutely | Ek dum |
Cultural tip
Hyderabad is relaxed about language: start in Telugu, switch to Hindi or English, and nobody minds. Adding "-andi" to a request (cheppandi, randi, aapandi) makes it polite in Telugu, and a well-placed "hau" or "nakko" will earn a smile from any Hyderabadi.
Telugu questions people ask
How do you say thank you in Telugu?
"Dhanyavaadaalu" is thank you in Telugu. In everyday Hyderabad conversation most people simply say "thanks".
How do you say hello in Telugu?
"Namaskaaram" is the standard greeting. "Ela unnaru?" asks how someone is, and "Bagunnaanu" means I'm fine.
Do people in Hyderabad speak Hindi?
Yes. Alongside Telugu, Hyderabad speaks Dakhni, its own easy-going mix of Hindi and Urdu, so Hindi gets you a long way in shops and autos. A little Telugu still makes a difference, especially in residential neighbourhoods.
What do "nakko" and "kaiku" mean?
They are Hyderabadi Hindi: "nakko" means no or don't, and "kaiku?" means why? "Hau" means yes. You will hear all three everywhere in the city.
How do you ask "how much" in Telugu?
"Idi entha?" means "How much is this?". In an auto, "[place]-ki entha?" asks the fare to a place, and "Ikkada aapandi" means stop here.
How can I learn Telugu quickly?
Start with the five survival lines on this page and use them daily. Telugu adds "-andi" to make a request polite (cheppandi, randi, aapandi), so that one ending covers a lot of ground.
More in our guides: our Hyderabad city guide and Dawat, our Hyderabad food guide.