Greetings and politeness in Telugu
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Telugu words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Telugu phrases in this lesson
- నమస్కారంna-mas-KAA-ram
- Hello
- శుభోదయంshu-BOH-da-yam
- Good morning
- శుభ సాయంత్రంSHU-bha SAA-yan-tram
- Good evening
- వెళ్ళొస్తానుvel-LOS-taa-nu
- Goodbye
- మళ్ళీ కలుద్దాంmal-LEE ka-lud-DAAM
- See you
- దయచేసిda-ya-CHAY-si
- Please
- ధన్యవాదాలుdhan-ya-VAA-daa-lu
- Thank you
- పర్వాలేదుpar-vaa-LAY-du
- You're welcome
- క్షమించండిksha-MIN-chan-di
- Sorry
- కొంచెం దారి ఇవ్వండిKON-chem DAA-ri IV-van-di
- Excuse me
- మిమ్మల్ని కలవడం సంతోషంMIM-mal-ni ka-la-VA-dam san-THO-sham
- Nice to meet you
A respectful greeting used at any time of day. More formal than a casual hi, it shows respect and is appreciated by elders and strangers alike.
Literally means "auspicious dawn." More formal and literary; you will hear it on TV and in offices. Elders use it warmly.
Formal. In daily life నమస్కారం (na-mas-KAA-ram) covers the evening.
Literally "I will go and come back," implying the relationship continues. This is the culturally natural farewell, not a permanent departure.
Literally "let's meet again", the friendly goodbye.
Literally "with kindness." Placed before the verb in a request. Hospitality is central to Telugu culture, and polite phrasing is always appreciated.
The standard thank-you. In everyday Hyderabadi life you will also hear "thank you" in English, but using the Telugu word shows respect.
Literally "no problem" or "it is fine." This is the natural response to thanks in Telugu culture. It also doubles as "never mind."
Literally "please forgive", the real apology.
Literally "give way a little", for squeezing past. To call a waiter, people say అన్నా (AN-naa), brother.
Literally "meeting you is a joy".