Basic Words

1. అవును

   avunu

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. కాదు

   kaadu

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. దయచేసి

   dayachesi

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

4. ధన్యవాదాలు

   dhanyavaadaalu

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. ఏమండీ

   emandi

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

   Grammar Note

   The polite way to hail a stranger; the -అండీ ending carries respect.

6. క్షమించండి

   kshaminchandi

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

7. పర్వాలేదు

   parvaaledu

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. నాకు అర్థం కాలేదు

   naaku artham kaaledu

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. అర్థమైంది

   arthamaindi

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

10. అయిపోయింది

    ayipoyindi

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. దయచేసి వేచి ఉండండి

    dayachesi vechi undandi

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. ఒక్క నిమిషం

    okka nimisham

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. ఒక పెద్దవారు

    oka peddavaaru

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. నేను బుకింగ్ చేయలేదు

    nenu booking cheyaledu

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. నేను బుకింగ్ చేశాను

    nenu booking chesaanu

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. నాకు సహాయం చేయండి

    naaku sahaayam cheyandi

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. ఇంకోసారి చెప్పండి

    inkosaari cheppandi

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. నెమ్మదిగా మాట్లాడండి

    nemmadigaa maatlaadandi

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. నాకు కొంచెం వచ్చు

    naaku konchem vachchu

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

20. మీకు ఇంగ్లీష్ వచ్చా?

    meeku inglish vachchaa?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    Use మీరు (meeru) with strangers; నువ్వు (nuvvu) only with people you know well.

21. ఇది

    idi

    This

    Usage

    Points at something within reach — use it while pointing at an item when ordering or shopping

22. అది

    adi

    That

    Usage

    Telugu demonstratives split only into near and far, so this one covers both Japanese sore and are — anything not within reach

23. ఇక్కడ

    ikkada

    Here

    Usage

    The spot where you are; use it to mark where to be dropped off or where to meet

24. అక్కడ

    akkada

    There

    Usage

    A place away from you; Telugu does not distinguish soko from asoko

25. నేను

    nenu

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself — use it to make clear whose it is or who is going

26. మీరు

    meeru

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The respectful "you" for strangers and elders; the familiar nuvvu is reserved for close acquaintances and sounds rude from a traveler

27. కలిసి

    kalisi

    Together

    Usage

    Shows that you are going along with someone, or that the bill should be combined

28. ఒక్కరు

    okkaru

    One person

    Usage

    States a head count; Telugu uses a separate set of numerals for people, not the object numeral okaṭi

29. ఇద్దరు

    iddaru

    Two people

    Usage

    For stating a head count at an eatery or a hotel

30. ముగ్గురు

    mugguru

    Three people

    Usage

    For stating a head count at an eatery or a hotel

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