50 Basic Telugu Words and Phrases for Kids (With English Meanings)
Whether your child is just starting to learn Telugu or you want to refresh your family’s vocabulary, these 50 basic Telugu words and phrases are a perfect place to begin. Each entry includes the Telugu script, a simple English pronunciation, and the meaning.
Tip: Don’t try to learn all 50 at once. Pick five words a week and use them during everyday routines.
Greetings and Polite Words
- నమస్కారం (Namaskaram): Hello / Greetings
- మీరు ఎలా ఉన్నారు? (Meeru ela unnaru?): How are you? (respectful)
- నేను బాగున్నాను (Nenu bagunnanu): I am fine
- ధన్యవాదాలు (Dhanyavadalu): Thank you
- క్షమించండి (Kshaminchandi): Sorry / Excuse me
- అవును (Avunu): Yes
- కాదు (Kaadu): No / It is not
- శుభోదయం (Subhodayam): Good morning
- శుభరాత్రి (Subharatri): Good night
Talking About Yourself
- నీ పేరు ఏంటి? (Nee peru enti?): What is your name?
- నా పేరు… (Naa peru…): My name is…
- నాకు ఆకలిగా ఉంది (Naaku aakaliga undi): I am hungry
- నాకు దాహంగా ఉంది (Naaku daahamga undi): I am thirsty
- నాకు తెలియదు (Naaku teliyadu): I don’t know
Family Words
- అమ్మ (Amma): Mother
- నాన్న (Nanna): Father
- అన్న (Anna): Elder brother
- అక్క (Akka): Elder sister
- తమ్ముడు (Thammudu): Younger brother
- చెల్లి (Chelli): Younger sister
- తాత (Thatha): Grandfather
- అమ్మమ్మ (Ammamma): Grandmother (mother’s mother)
- నాన్నమ్మ (Nannamma): Grandmother (father’s mother)
Numbers 1 to 10
- ఒకటి (Okati): One
- రెండు (Rendu): Two
- మూడు (Moodu): Three
- నాలుగు (Naalugu): Four
- ఐదు (Aidu): Five
- ఆరు (Aaru): Six
- ఏడు (Edu): Seven
- ఎనిమిది (Enimidi): Eight
- తొమ్మిది (Tommidi): Nine
- పది (Padi): Ten
Colours
- ఎరుపు (Erupu): Red
- పచ్చ (Pachcha): Green
- పసుపు (Pasupu): Yellow
- నీలం (Neelam): Blue
- నలుపు (Nalupu): Black
- తెలుపు (Telupu): White
Food and Drink
- అన్నం (Annam): Cooked rice
- నీళ్ళు (Neellu): Water
- పాలు (Paalu): Milk
- పప్పు (Pappu): Dal (lentils)
- పెరుగు (Perugu): Curd / Yogurt
- మామిడి పండు (Mamidi pandu): Mango
Everyday Questions and Phrases
- ఇది ఏంటి? (Idi enti?): What is this?
- ఎక్కడ? (Ekkada?): Where?
- రండి (Randi): Please come (respectful)
- కూర్చోండి (Kurchondi): Please sit down
- భోజనం చేశావా? (Bhojanam chesava?): Did you eat? (a very common, caring Telugu greeting)
A Note on Respect in Telugu
Telugu has respectful and informal forms. Words ending in -andi (like randi and kurchondi) are polite and are used with elders and people you don’t know well. With friends and younger siblings, children use informal forms like raa (come) and kurcho (sit). Teaching children to use -andi with grandparents and elders is an important part of Telugu culture.
Fun Ways to Practise These Words
- Word of the day: Stick one word on the fridge and use it all day.
- Counting games: Count stairs, fruits, or toys in Telugu.
- Colour hunt: “Find something erupu!”
- Family tree: Draw your family and label each person with the correct Telugu word.
- Mealtime practice: Ask for neellu, annam, and perugu at dinner.
Final Thoughts
Every language journey starts with a few simple words. Learning these 50 basic Telugu words will help your child greet grandparents, talk about family, and feel more connected to their roots. Once these feel easy, move on to the Telugu alphabet and simple sentences.
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