Telugu is spoken by around 96 million people in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and global diasporas (United States, Australia, Gulf). With this kit, you have the bare minimum to get by in Hyderabad, Vijayawada or Visakhapatnam.
Telugu is the most widely spoken Dravidian language in the world, with around 96 million speakers concentrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, the Yanam territory (Puducherry), and significant diasporas in the United States (the largest Indian community in the country), Australia and the Persian Gulf. Recognized as a classical language of India in 2008, Telugu has a written history of over 2000 years and a prestigious literary tradition. It is written in a Brahmic-derived abugida with 60 symbols (16 vowels, 3 modifiers, 41 consonants), famous for the rounded beauty of its characters which earned it the nickname "Italian of the East". For French-speaking travelers, Telugu opens the door to Hyderabad and its iconic Charminar, the temples of Tirupati and Yadagirigutta, the beaches of Visakhapatnam, the green valleys of Araku and the spiciest cuisine in India. Telugu culture also shines through its cinema (Tollywood, based in Hyderabad, the second largest film industry in the country after Bollywood) and festivals such as Sankranti or Ugadi. The greeting "Namaskaram", joined palms, works in all formal situations. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an arrival in Hyderabad, a taxi ride, an Andhra meal on a banana leaf, a temple visit, a medical emergency and a smooth departure. With these phrases in hand, you will earn the respect of any Telugu speaker you meet.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land at Rajiv Gandhi airport in Hyderabad in the early evening. You greet the immigration officer with Namaskaram and joined palms, then ask for directions to the taxi exit.
The driver loads your suitcase and asks for your destination. You tell him your hotel, you want to confirm the price before leaving, then you ask him to stop right in front of the entrance.
You walk into an Andhra restaurant serving a thali on a banana leaf. You greet, ask for the menu, specify that you are vegetarian and want it not too spicy, then settle the bill.
You feel sick after a meal. You ask where the nearest hospital is, you mention that you are allergic to certain foods and you ask for help.
On departure morning, you confirm check-out time at the reception, then take a taxi to the airport. Before leaving, you warmly say goodbye to the hotel team with Namaskaram.
What you need to know before travelling to a telugu-speaking country.
"Namaskaram", accompanied by palms joined at chest level (Anjali Mudra), is the standard greeting in Telugu. It works in all formal situations, from morning to evening, for hello as well as goodbye.
Respect for elders is central: use "meeru" (you formal) rather than "nuvvu" (you informal) with strangers, hotel staff and older people. Using "nuvvu" with an elder is seen as disrespectful.
Traditional eating is done with the right hand only, especially for meals served on a banana leaf (Andhra meals). The left hand is considered impure in the context of meals.
Andhra and Telangana cuisine is famous as one of the spiciest in India. Ask for "karam ekkuva vaddhu" (not too spicy) if you are sensitive. Yogurt (perugu) accompanies almost every meal to soften the heat.
Hyderabad, capital of Telangana, is tri-cultural: Telugu, Urdu and English coexist. Around Charminar and in the old city, Urdu dominates. Matching your greeting to the neighborhood (Namaskaram in Banjara Hills, As-salam alaikum in Charminar) eases interactions.
Telugu cinema (Tollywood) is huge, with Hyderabad as its epicenter. Actors like Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun or Prabhas are universal conversation topics that immediately open doors.
Before entering a Hindu temple (Tirupati, Yadagirigutta, Bhadrachalam), remove your shoes and cover your shoulders. At Tirupati, one of the most visited temples in the world, plan for several hours of queueing and respect the dress code.
Telugu hospitality is famous: refusing coffee or a meal can seem cold. Accept at least a cup of filter coffee, a South Indian specialty, or a glass of butter milk (majjiga) as a sign of respect.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Avunu
A-vu-nu
Yes
Kaadu
KAA-du
No
Dhanyavaadalu
dan-ya-VAA-da-lu
Thank you
Paravaledu
pa-ra-VA-LE-du
You're welcome
Kshamiñchandi
KSHA-min-chan-di
Sorry
Neeru
NEE-ru
Water
Bhojanam
BHO-ja-nam
Food
Hotel
ho-TAYL
Hotel
Vimanaashrayam
vi-MA-naa-SHRA-yam
Airport
Aaspatri
aas-PA-tri
Hospital
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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