Greetings

1. నమస్కారం

   Namaskāram

   Hello / Greetings

   Usage

   Standard Telugu greeting

   Grammar Note

   "Namaskaram" from Sanskrit "namaskaara". Used universally across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, regardless of religion or caste.

2. ధన్యవాదాలు

   Dhanyavādālu

   Thank you

   Usage

   Formal expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   "Dhanyavadalu" literally means "words of gratitude" (plural). Colloquially "thank you" (English loanword) is very common.

3. దయచేసి

   Dayacēsi

   Please

   Usage

   Polite request word

   Grammar Note

   "Dayachesi" literally means "having shown kindness/please". The "-si" form (verbal participle) used adverbially is typical in Telugu.

4. నాకు తెలుగు రాదు

   Nāku Telugu rādu

   I don't know Telugu

   Usage

   Indicating you don't speak Telugu

   Grammar Note

   Telugu uses dative subject for abilities. "Raadu" (negative of "raavuta" - to come) means "I can't do" or "I don't know".

5. మీరు ఎలా ఉన్నారు?

   Mīru elā unnāru?

   How are you? (polite)

   Usage

   Politely asking how someone is

   Grammar Note

   "Meeru" (polite you) requires "unnaaru" (honorific plural verb). Telugu has an elaborate honorific system based on social status.

6. శుభోదయం

   Śubhōdayam

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting, used in formal contexts

   Grammar Note

   Sanskrit compound "shubha" (auspicious) + "udayam" (dawn). Formal greeting. Colloquially, English "Good morning" is also widely used.

7. శుభరాత్రి

   Śubharātri

   Good night

   Usage

   Farewell greeting before going to sleep

   Grammar Note

   "Shubha" (auspicious) + "raatri" (night). Telugu uses "shubha" for time-of-day greetings: morning, afternoon, evening, night.

8. నా పేరు ___

   Nā pēru ___

   My name is ___

   Usage

   Introducing yourself by name

   Grammar Note

   "Naa" is the genitive of "neenu" (I). Telugu allows "naa peeru ___" without a copula verb — the noun phrase itself is the predicate.

9. మీరు ఎక్కడ నుండి వచ్చారు?

   Mīru ekkaḍa nuṇḍi vaccāru?

   Where have you come from?

   Usage

   Politely asking where someone is from or has come from

   Grammar Note

   "Nundi" is the ablative postposition (from). "Ekkada nundi" (from where) is the standard phrase for asking origin or direction of travel.

10. తప్పకుండా వస్తాను

    Tappakunḍā vastānu

    I will definitely come

    Usage

    Accepting an invitation or promising to return

    Grammar Note

    "Tappakundaa" = "tappu" (fault/miss) + "kundaa" (without) = "without fail". A common emphatic adverb in Telugu.

11. టాయిలెట్ ఎక్కడ ఉంది?

    Ṭāyileṭ ekkaḍa undi?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    One of the most essential phrases while traveling. Useful in public places and shops

    Grammar Note

    "Ekkaḍa" is the Telugu question word for location. Combined with "undi" (exists/is there), it asks "where is something located".

12. దయచేసి ఇంగ్లీష్‌లో మాట్లాడగలరా?

    Dayacēsi iṅglīṣlō māṭlāḍagalarā?

    Could you please speak in English?

    Usage

    Requesting English assistance when facing a language barrier

    Grammar Note

    "Maatlaadagaraa" is the polite interrogative of the potential verb "maatlaadagalu" (to be able to speak). "-lo" is the locative postposition meaning "in".

13. నేను మళ్ళీ వస్తాను

    Nēnu maḷḷī vastānu

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

14. చాలా సరదాగా గడిచింది

    Cālā saradāgā gaḍicindi

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting ways

15. ధన్యవాదాలు, మళ్ళీ కలుద్దాం

    Dhanyavādālu, maḷḷī kaluddām

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

16. నేను బయలుదేరుతున్నాను

    Nēnu bayaludērutunnānu

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving the guesthouse

17. నేను తిరిగి వచ్చాను

    Nēnu tirigi vaccānu

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said when returning to the guesthouse

18. నేను ముందు వెళ్తాను

    Nēnu mundu veḷtānu

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    Said when leaving before others, e.g. at a meal

19. పర్వాలేదు

    Parvālēdu

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Response to being thanked (literally "it's fine")

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