Telugu phrase guide
Telugu phrases for family, with meanings
Here are 14 everyday Telugu phrases for family, taken from real conversations in Shinar's Telugu course, set in Hyderabad. Each phrase is written in English letters with Telugu script alongside, and its English meaning. A good one to start with: “Ammamma! Ela unnav?” (అమ్మమ్మా! ఎలా ఉన్నావ్?), which means “Ammamma! How are you?”.
14 Telugu phrases for family
Real lines from 7 Shinar scenes: Visiting Ammamma, How was your day?, Homework time, Calling Amma, At a Telugu wedding and more.
| English | Telugu |
|---|---|
| Ammamma! How are you? | Ammamma! Ela unnav?అమ్మమ్మా! ఎలా ఉన్నావ్? |
| Lakshmi, how was your day? | Lakshmi, ivvala roju ela gadichindi?లక్ష్మి, ఇవ్వాళ రోజు ఎలా గడిచింది? |
| Chinni, is your homework done? | Chinni, homework ayipoyinda?చిన్నీ, హోంవర్క్ అయిపోయిందా? |
| Hello Amma, how are you? | Hello Amma, ela unnavu?హలో అమ్మా, ఎలా ఉన్నావు? |
| Pinni, when is the muhurtham? | Pinni, muhurtham eppudu?పిన్నీ, ముహూర్తం ఎప్పుడు? |
| Namaskaram, aunty. I'm Ananya. | Namaskaram aunty. Nenu Ananya.నమస్కారం ఆంటీ. నేను అనన్య. |
| Sindhu! It's been so long since I saw you! | Sindhu! Ninnu chusi entha kaalam ayyindi!సింధు! నిన్ను చూసి ఎంత కాలం అయ్యింది! |
| Come, dear! You've become so thin. | Raa ra! Chaala sannaga ayipoyav.రా రా! చాలా సన్నగా అయిపోయావ్. |
| Very busy. The house help didn't come today. | Chaala busy. Ivvala pani manishi raaledu.చాలా బిజీ. ఇవ్వాళ పని మనిషి రాలేదు. |
| Not yet, Nanna. Maths is hard. | Inka ledu Nanna. Maths kashtanga undi.ఇంకా లేదు నాన్నా. మ్యాథ్స్ కష్టంగా ఉంది. |
| I'm fine, dear. Did you eat? | Baagunnanu ra. Nuvvu tinnava?బాగున్నాను రా. నువ్వు తిన్నావా? |
| The bride looks so beautiful. | Pelli koothuru chaala andanga undi.పెళ్ళి కూతురు చాలా అందంగా ఉంది. |
| Come in, dear. Did you find the house easily? | Lopaliki raa amma. Illu easy ga dorikinda?లోపలికి రా అమ్మా. ఇల్లు ఈజీగా దొరికిందా? |
| Harsha bava! Yes, it's been three years. | Harsha bava! Avunu, moodu samvatsaralu ayyindi.హర్ష బావ! అవును, మూడు సంవత్సరాలు అయ్యింది. |
Key Telugu words in these phrases
| Telugu | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ammamma | grandmother (mother’s mother) |
| ela | how |
| unnav | are you |
| ivvala | today |
| roju | day |
| gadichindi | did it pass |
| ayipoyinda | is it finished? |
| amma | mother |
| unnavu | are you |
| pinni | aunt (mother’s younger sister) |
| muhurtham | auspicious moment |
| eppudu | when |
| namaskaram | hello (respectful) |
| nenu | I |
| ninnu | you |
| chusi | since seeing |
Questions about Telugu for family
How do you say “Ammamma! How are you?” in Telugu?
“Ammamma! Ela unnav?” (అమ్మమ్మా! ఎలా ఉన్నావ్?). This phrase comes from the Shinar scene “Visiting Ammamma”.
What are common Telugu words for family?
Some of the first Telugu words you will hear in these conversations: ammamma (grandmother (mother’s mother)), ela (how), unnav (are you), ivvala (today), roju (day), gadichindi (did it pass).
Are these Telugu phrases formal or everyday?
They are everyday spoken Telugu as heard in Hyderabad, including the English words people naturally mix in, not textbook-formal Telugu.
How can I practise these Telugu phrases?
Each phrase comes from a full conversation in Shinar (Visiting Ammamma, How was your day?, Homework time, Calling Amma). You hear the scene in English first, then in Telugu, then learn every word. Shinar is coming soon to Google Play.