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Telugu is spoken primarily by people who hail from the Andhra Pradesh region of India. With its wide array of pronunciations, vowels, and consonant sounds, Telugu can seem intimidating to learn. However, if you set clear learning goals, dedicate yourself to a daily learning program, and get your hands on helpful resources, you can learn to converse and/or write in Telugu .
Best Ways to Learn Telugu
Practice writing, speaking, and identifying common Telugu words like "House" (เฐเฐฒเฑเฐฒเฑ or illu) or "Eat" (เฐคเฐฟเฐจเฐกเฐพเฐจเฐฟเฐเฐฟ or tinadaniki). Practice common phrases like "My name isโฆ" (เฐจเฐพ เฐชเฑเฐฐเฑ... or naa paeru ...). Set aside time to write in Telugu script and memorize 30 common words every day.
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Work on some common Telugu nouns. By mastering essential everyday terms like "food" and "water," youโll begin to identify the subject matter of Telugu conversation or writing. Use Telugu workbooks or websites build a list of common nouns, such as the following: [1] X Research source
- He - เฐ เฐคเฐกเฑ (athadu)
- She - เฐเฐฎเฑ (aame)
- Boy - เฐ เฐฌเฑเฐฌเฐฏเฐฟ (abbayi)
- Girl - เฐ เฐฎเฑเฐฎเฐฏเฐฟ (ammayi)
- House - เฐเฐฒเฑเฐฒเฑ (illu)
- Water - เฐจเฑเฐฐเฑ/เฐจเฑเฐณเฑเฐณเฑ (neeru / neelu)
- Food - เฐคเฐฟเฐเฐกเฐฟ/เฐเฑเฐกเฑ/เฐ เฐจเฑเฐจเฐ (tindi / koodu / annam)
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Add some common Telugu verbs to your vocabulary. Learning commonly-used verbs will help you to identify the action being described in Telugu sentences. Combine this with your growing vocabulary of common nouns, and youโll be on your way to understanding basic Telugu. For instance: [2] X Research source
- Go - เฐตเฑเฐณเฑเฐณเฑ (vellu)
- Talk - เฐฎเฐพเฐเฑเฐฒเฐพเฐกเฑ (maatlaadu)
- Know - เฐคเฑเฐฒเฑเฐธเฑ (telusu)
- Give / Respond - เฐเฐตเฑเฐตเฑ (ivvu)
- Take - เฐคเฑเฐธเฑเฐเฑ (teesuko)
- Eat - เฐคเฐฟเฐจเฐกเฐพเฐจเฐฟเฐเฐฟ (tinadaniki)
- Drink - เฐชเฐพเฐจเฑเฐฏเฐ (paniyam)
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Keep adding basic words for communicating in Telugu. For instance, the following are useful in recognizing or asking questions:
- Where - เฐเฐเฑเฐเฐก (ekkada)
- Why - เฐเฐเฐฆเฑเฐเฑ (enduku)
- What - เฐเฐเฐเฐฟ (ฤnti)
- How - เฐเฐฒเฐพ (ela)
- When - เฐเฐชเฑเฐชเฑเฐกเฑ (eppudu)
- Which - เฐเฐฆเฐฟ (ฤdi)
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Practice common phrases in Telugu. Along with picking up individual words in Telugu, start working on common phrases as well. Begin with common phrases that will help you ask basic questions and engage in rudimentary conversation in Telugu. For instance: [3] X Research source
- Hello - เฐจเฐฎเฐธเฑเฐเฐพเฐฐเฐ (namaskฤrฤm)
- How are you? - เฐฎเฑเฐฐเฑ เฐเฐฒเฐพ เฐเฐจเฑเฐจเฐพเฐฐเฑ ? (meeru aelaa unnaaru?)
- My name isโฆ - เฐจเฐพ เฐชเฑเฐฐเฑ ... (naa paeru ...)
- Goodbye - เฐตเฑเฐณเฑเฐณเฑเฐธเฑเฐคเฐพเฐจเฑ (vellostaanu)
- I donโt understand - เฐจเฐพเฐเฑ เฐ เฐฐเฑเฐงเฐ เฐเฐพเฐฒเฑเฐฆเฑ (naaku ardhaแน kaalaedhu)
- Do you speak English? - เฐฎเฑเฐฐเฑ(เฐจเฑเฐตเฑเฐตเฑ) เฐเฐเฐเฑเฐฒเฐ(เฐเฐเฐเฑเฐฒ เฐญเฐพเฐท) เฐฎเฐพเฐเฑเฐฒเฐพเฐกเฐเฐฒเฐฐเฐพ(เฐตเฐพ)? (meeru (nuvvu) aanglam (aangla bhasha) matladagalara(va)?)
- Thank you - เฐงเฐจเฑเฐฏเฐตเฐพเฐฆเฐฎเฑเฐฒเฑ (dhanyavaadhamulu)
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Practice writing the individual Telugu vowels and consonants. The Telugu alphabet (เฐตเฐฐเฑเฐฃเฐฎเฐพเฐฒ (varnamaala)) is syllabic in nature, and all consonants have an inherent vowel. Vowels are written independently only when they begin a syllable. Start learning how to write in Telugu by focusing on the individual letters first. [4] X Research source
- The individual vowels (เฐ เฐเฑเฐเฑเฐฒเฑ - acchulu) are: เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฑ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ เฐ , pronounced respectively as a, aa, i (as in pit), ii (as in meet), u (as it put), uu (as in root), ru ( as in prude), ruu (as in crude), e (as in peck), ae (as in cake), ai (as in my), o (as in show), O (as in row), ou (as in cow), am (as in mum) and aha.
- The individual consonants (เฐนเฐฒเฑเฐฒเฑเฐฒเฑ - hallulu) are: เฐ, เฐ, เฐ, เฐ, เฐ -ka, kha, ga, gha; เฐ, เฐ, เฐ, เฐ, เฐ- cha, chha, ja, jha, nya; เฐ เฐ เฐก เฐข เฐฃ - Ta, Tha, Da, Dha, Na; เฐค เฐฅ เฐฆ เฐง เฐจ- tha, thha, da, dhha, na; เฐช เฐซ เฐฌ เฐญ เฐฎ- pa, pha, ba, bha, ma; เฐฏ, เฐฐ, เฐฒ , เฐต, เฐถ, เฐท- ya, ra, la, va, Sa, sha; เฐธ เฐน เฐณ เฐเฑเฐท, เฐฑ- sa, ha La, ksha, Ra
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Work on writing the conjunct consonants and vowel diacritics. Conjunct consonants are special symbols used when certain consonants are combined. There are 34 of these conjunct consonants in Telugu. Additionally, there are 14 vowel diacriticsโthese symbols appear above, below, or after a consonant in order to change the consonantโs inherent vowel. [5] X Research source
- You can find a listing of these symbols at https://www.omniglot.com/writing/telugu.htm .
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Set aside time to write in Telugu script daily. If youโre used to writing in Latin script, Telugu lettering may appear impossibly difficult. However, with daily practice, youโll get the hang of the letter formations more quickly than you might expect. The important thing is to dedicate yourself to learning by keeping your ultimate goal in mind. [6] X Research source
- Grab some Telugu-language books and copy the script you see in them. Eventually, test yourself by translating texts from Latin script to Telugu script.
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Identify the parts of speech in Telugu grammar. To master Telugu grammar (เฐตเฑเฐฏเฐพเฐเฐฐเฐฃ - vyaakarana), youโll probably need the help of a Telugu tutor or a Telugu writing class. However, you can begin by identifying the parts of speech (เฐญเฐพเฐทเฐพเฐญเฐพเฐเฐพเฐฒเฑ - bhaashaabhaagaalu) of Telugu words. The parts of speech are: [7] X Research source
- เฐจเฐพเฐฎเฐตเฐพเฐเฐเฐ - Noun (naamavaachakam)
- เฐธเฐฐเฑเฐตเฐจเฐพเฐฎเฐ - Pronoun (sarvanaamam)
- เฐเฑเฐฐเฐฟเฐฏ- Verb (kriya)
- เฐตเฐฟเฐถเฑเฐทเฐฃเฐ - Adjective (visaeshanam)
- เฐ เฐตเฑเฐฏเฐฏเฐ - Adverb (avyayam)
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Practice Telugu grammar rules for prepositions, negations, and questions. Once you become comfortable writing in Telugu script and identifying the parts of speech (nouns, verbs, etc.), move on to more challenging grammatical practice . For instance, work on identifying and placing prepositions, negations, and questions in Telugu writing. [8] X Research source
- Examples of prepositions: He came with his small dog - เฐคเฐจ เฐเฐฟเฐจเฑเฐจ เฐเฑเฐเฑเฐ เฐตเฐเฑเฐเฐฟเฐจ - (Tana cinna kukka vaccina); I eat without a knife - เฐจเฑเฐจเฑ เฐเฐคเฑเฐคเฐฟ เฐฒเฑเฐเฑเฐเฐกเฐพ เฐคเฐฟเฐจเฐกเฐพเฐจเฐฟเฐเฐฟ - (Nฤnu katti lฤkuแนแธฤ tinaแธฤniki)
- Examples of negation (compare the following): I understand you - เฐจเฑเฐจเฑ เฐฎเฑเฐฐเฑ เฐ เฐฐเฑเฐฅเฐ - (Nฤnu mฤซru arthaแน); I donโt understand you - เฐจเฑเฐจเฑ เฐฎเฑเฐฐเฑ เฐ เฐฐเฑเฐงเฐ เฐเฐพเฐฆเฑ - (Nฤnu mฤซru ardhaแน kฤdu)
- Examples of questions: What is your name? - เฐฎเฑ เฐชเฑเฐฐเฑ เฐเฐฎเฐฟเฐเฐฟ? - (Mฤซ pฤru ฤmiแนญi?); How much is this? - เฐ เฐเฐเฐค เฐเฐเฐฆเฐฟ? - (ฤช enta undi?)
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Set your specific goal for learning Telugu. Start by asking yourself why you want to learn Telugu โis it to get in touch with your heritage, prepare for a trip, impress someone, or just to broaden your horizons? Once youโve established your goal, build your plan around achieving it. [9] X Research source
- For instance, say youโre taking a trip to Andhra Pradesh in 3 months and want to manage basic communication in Telugu. In this case, focus on learning the most common conversational words and phrases.
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Memorize 30 common Telugu words per day. The idea here is that, after 90 days, youโll have learned 2,700 of the most common Telugu words . And, as with most languages, knowing the most common 2,700 words will make you familiar with about 80% of the words used in Telugu writing or conversation. [10] X Research source
- This 90-day plan may not be ideal in every situation, depending on your specific goals for learning Telugu. However, it is a broadly-useful way to learn the basics of a language in a fairly short amount of time.
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Schedule 30-60 minutes for your daily list of 30 Telugu words. Itโs important to make your plan and stick to it. To get your word list, draw from vocabulary lists found in Telugu language-learning books or websites. Or, draw from a list of the most common words in English (or your native language) and use an online tool such as Google Translate. [11] X Research source
- While they may seem old-fashioned, flash cards are a tried-and-true way to pick up words in a new language.
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Work with a tutor or use a Telugu language program. You may manage just fine by going it alone and learning your 30 words per day. However, many people find it helpful to work with a tutor or invest in a language-learning program. [12] X Research source
- There are numerous Telugu language-learning programs available online. Explore several options and choose one that suits your goals for learning the language.
- Hiring a Telugu tutor may be a pricier option, and it may be hard to find a Telugu tutor where you live. However, some people learn more quickly through one-on-one interaction.
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Integrate Telugu into your home life and daily activities. Sprinkle the language into your day-to-day activities once your vocabulary begins to grow. For example, label things in your house with their Telugu names, put on Telugu-language music as you make dinner, or practice reading kidsโ books in Telugu. [13] X Research source
- Eventually, you might want to give yourself a greater test by switching your phone over to Telugu.
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Immerse yourself more fully in Telugu after about 60 days. If youโre learning 30 words per day, youโll have a vocabulary of about 1,800 words after 2 months. At this point, youโll be able to โdive inโ to Telugu conversations and pick up on at least some of what the Telugu speakers are saying. [14] X Research source
- If you have friends who speak Telugu, ask them to carry on a conversation while you follow along--and even join in.
- Alternatively, watch online videos in Telugu and turn the subtitles off when youโre ready to test yourself.
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Listen and watch native speakers use Telugu. When observing others speaking Telugu, focus not only on the words they use but their inflections, facial and hand gestures, body language, and so forth. This type of close watching and listening is very helpful in becoming conversant in everyday Telugu. [15] X Research source
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Brush off your mistakes and keep practicing your Telugu. People often think kids are better at learning new languages because their brains are different. However, the real reason may be that they tend to be less self-conscious about trying things out, making mistakes, and trying again. So, free your inner child while you learn Telugu! [16] X Research source
- If you mangle your words or ask a nonsensical question, laugh it off and try again. Most Telugu speakers, like native speakers of languages around the world, are happy when non-natives try to speak their language. Instead of being insulted that you messed up, theyโll likely be eager to help you out.
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Tips
- Watch Telugu movies to get the slang words of many places. Many Telugu movies are available on YouTube.Thanks
- Read poems and books written by people belonging to an older generation to understand 'เฐเฑเฐฐเฐพเฐเฐงเฐฟเฐ' (graandhika) Telugu, a more formal Telugu.Thanks
- Read Telugu books to get the hang of writing Telugu. Many Telugu books are quite cost-effective.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip youโd like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Watch a movie in your mother tongue and then in Telugu so that you learn the meanings of words as well as their intonation.
- Talk with Telugu-speaking people on social media apps like Discord or Instagram.
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References
- โ https://mylanguages.org/telugu_nouns.php
- โ https://mylanguages.org/telugu_verbs.php
- โ https://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/telugu.php
- โ https://www.omniglot.com/writing/telugu.htm
- โ https://www.omniglot.com/writing/telugu.htm
- โ https://blog.ted.com/how-to-learn-a-new-language-7-secrets-from-ted-translators/
- โ https://www.intelugu.net/spoken-english-in-telugu/parts-of-speech.html
- โ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nttq-tetIuA
- โ https://blog.ted.com/how-to-learn-a-new-language-7-secrets-from-ted-translators/
- โ https://medium.com/litany-language-learning/how-many-words-should-you-learn-a-day-in-a-foreign-language-c74e5a10adc9
- โ https://medium.com/litany-language-learning/how-many-words-should-you-learn-a-day-in-a-foreign-language-c74e5a10adc9
- โ https://www.inc.com/sean-kim/how-to-learn-a-new-language-in-90-days.html
- โ https://blog.ted.com/how-to-learn-a-new-language-7-secrets-from-ted-translators/
- โ https://www.inc.com/sean-kim/how-to-learn-a-new-language-in-90-days.html
- โ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/learning-a-second-language/
- โ https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/learning-a-second-language/
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Article Summary
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To learn Telugu, learn a few basic phrases so you can practice speaking, like โnamaskaram,โ which means hello, and โNaa paeru,โ which means my name is. You should also set aside 30 to 60 minutes of time to memorize 30 new Telugu words each day. If this is difficult for you, try writing out words on flashcards and carrying them with you or posting them around your home so you can see them as you work. Once you begin to build your vocabulary, try expanding it by labelling things in your house in Telugu, or reading Telugu childrenโs books. Additionally, consider paying for an online Telugu learning course, which will give you access to study materials or a tutor. After a month or 2, ask friends who speak Telugu to have a conversation in front of you and try to follow along, or watch an online Telugu video. For tips on how to practice writing in Telugu, read on!
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