Tamil to Telugu Translation
Telugu shares hundreds of everyday words with Tamil, from ఉప్పు to ఊరు, but sits on a different branch of the family. The phrase notes show where the grammar parts ways.
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Phrasebook116 phrases, looked up on your device
Type a common phrase to see it in Telugu, with how to say it.
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History
Kept on this device onlyTryவணக்கம்నమస్కారం(Hello (respectful greeting))
How it translates
What Happens to Your Tamil Text
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In Chrome on a Computer
Chrome 138 or later translates Tamil to Telugu itself. The first time, you press Download and translate and it fetches the language model; after that, sentences never leave your computer.
On Our Server, Two Steps
Meta's M2M100 model reads the Tamil and writes English, then AI4Bharat's IndicTrans2, trained on Indian languages, writes the Telugu. The English step can flatten the gender and politeness Telugu needs, so check names and verb endings. Nothing is stored.
116 Phrases on Your Device
The phrasebook below is looked up first and never sends anything. It only shows an exact answer when your sentence matches a line.
Cousins on Different Branches
Tamil and Telugu are both Dravidian, but Glottolog places them in different branches of South Dravidian: Tamil with Malayalam and Kannada, Telugu in a branch of its own. That is why a Tamil speaker recognises many Telugu nouns but finds the verbs and the sound of the language less familiar than Malayalam.
The first thing you notice is that Telugu words end in vowels. Tamil பால் is Telugu పాలు, Tamil ஊர் is ఊరు, Tamil பெயர் is పేరు. Telugu also has many Sanskrit loans that Tamil handles with native words, and a few that Tamil shares, such as కష్టం and கஷ்டம்.
Gender works differently in the third person. Tamil has separate forms for he, she and it: வந்தான், வந்தாள், வந்தது. In the singular, Telugu groups women with things, so ఆమె వచ్చింది (she came) and అది వచ్చింది (it came) share the same verb. Only men get a separate form, అతను వచ్చాడు.
What Translation Tools Miss
Polite "you" is మీరు in Telugu, and polite commands end in -ండి: రండి, చెప్పండి, ఆపండి. A tool that turns Tamil நீங்கள் into the informal నువ్వు will sound rude to an elder, so check the pronoun and the verb ending together.
Shared words can change meaning. Tamil அவசரம் is a hurry, but Telugu అవసరం means need: అవసరం లేదు is "not needed", not "no hurry". Tools that rely on spelling similarity between the two scripts carry this mistake across easily.
Kinship terms need care. Telugu splits grandmothers by side, అమ్మమ్మ for the mother's mother and నానమ్మ for the father's, where Tamil பாட்டி covers both. When a translation has to choose, it usually picks one at random.
Typing Telugu Script
Telugu and Kannada scripts grew from the same medieval script, which is why their rounded letters look alike. Telugu marks many consonants with a small tick on top, the talakattu, and adds vowel signs around the letter, much as Tamil turns க into கா, கி and கு.
Consonant clusters are written with a subscript form of the second consonant, called a vattu, instead of the Tamil புள்ளி. Tamil writes க்க side by side; Telugu stacks the second క under the first, క్క. You still type it in sound order: the consonant, the virama (్), then the next consonant.
Windows includes a Telugu layout, listed in Microsoft's keyboard layout reference. It follows the INSCRIPT arrangement, so its key positions match the Tamil INSCRIPT layout.
Telugu Speakers in Numbers
The 2011 Census of India counted 8,11,27,740 people with Telugu as their mother tongue, 6.70 per cent of the population, which makes it the largest Dravidian language and the fourth largest language in India. Tamil, with 6,90,26,881, comes fifth.
Most Telugu speakers live in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, north of Tamil Nadu. Telugu is also the second most common mother tongue in Tamil Nadu itself: the same census counted 5.87 per cent of the state's people as Telugu speakers, more than any language other than Tamil.
Phrasebook
116 Everyday Phrases in Tamil and Telugu
The notes are about the Telugu. We curated these lines and checked the language facts in them against the published sources below; no native Telugu speaker has reviewed them yet. Report a wrong line.
116 phrases
No phrase matches that. Try one word, such as "water" or "bus".
Greetings
Hello (respectful greeting)
வணக்கம்
నమస్కారం
namaskaaram
నమస్తే (namaste) is also common.
Good morning
காலை வணக்கம்
శుభోదయం
shubhodayam
Mostly written. In person, నమస్కారం or the English "good morning" is usual.
Good night
இனிய இரவு
శుభ రాత్రి
shubha raathri
How are you? (polite)
எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?
మీరు ఎలా ఉన్నారు?
meeru elaa unnaaru?
I am fine
நான் நலமாக இருக்கிறேன்
నేను బాగున్నాను
nenu baagunnaanu
Thank you
நன்றி
ధన్యవాదాలు
dhanyavaadaalu
In speech, the English "thanks" is very common.
Sorry / Excuse me
மன்னிக்கவும்
క్షమించండి
kshaminchandi
Please
தயவுசெய்து
దయచేసి
dayachesi
Welcome (to a guest)
வாருங்கள்
రండి
randi
Literally "please come", like the Tamil. స్వాగతం (swaagatham) is the formal word.
See you again
மீண்டும் சந்திப்போம்
మళ్ళీ కలుద్దాం
malli kaluddaam
Nice to meet you
உங்களைச் சந்தித்ததில் மகிழ்ச்சி
మిమ్మల్ని కలవడం సంతోషంగా ఉంది
mimmalni kalavadam santhoshangaa undi
What is your name?
உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன?
మీ పేరు ఏమిటి?
mee peru emiti?
My name is Priya
என் பெயர் பிரியா
నా పేరు ప్రియ
naa peru Priya
Where are you from?
உங்களுக்கு எந்த ஊர்?
మీది ఏ ఊరు?
meedi e ooru?
Telugu ఊరు is the same word as Tamil ஊர், your home town.
Conversation
Yes
ஆம்
అవును
avunu
No
இல்லை
లేదు
ledu
లేదు is "there is not" or "no". కాదు (kaadu) means "it is not that".
Okay / All right
சரி
సరే
sare
I do not understand
எனக்குப் புரியவில்லை
నాకు అర్థం కాలేదు
naaku artham kaaledu
I do not know
எனக்குத் தெரியாது
నాకు తెలియదు
naaku theliyadu
Please speak slowly
தயவுசெய்து மெதுவாகப் பேசுங்கள்
దయచేసి నెమ్మదిగా మాట్లాడండి
dayachesi nemmadigaa maatlaadandi
Please say that again
தயவுசெய்து மீண்டும் சொல்லுங்கள்
దయచేసి మళ్ళీ చెప్పండి
dayachesi malli cheppandi
I know a little Tamil
எனக்குக் கொஞ்சம் தமிழ் தெரியும்
నాకు కొంచెం తమిళం వచ్చు
naaku konchem thamilam vachchu
Telugu says a language "comes to me" (వచ్చు).
Do you know English?
உங்களுக்கு ஆங்கிலம் தெரியுமா?
మీకు ఇంగ్లీష్ వచ్చా?
meeku ingleesh vachchaa?
What does this mean?
இதற்கு என்ன அர்த்தம்?
దీని అర్థం ఏమిటి?
deeni artham emiti?
How do you say this?
இதை எப்படிச் சொல்வது?
దీన్ని ఎలా చెప్పాలి?
deenni elaa cheppaali?
No problem / It is all right
பரவாயில்லை
పర్వాలేదు
parvaaledu
The same word as Tamil பரவாயில்லை.
Please wait a minute
ஒரு நிமிடம் காத்திருங்கள்
ఒక్క నిమిషం ఆగండి
okka nimisham aagandi
Can you help me?
எனக்கு உதவ முடியுமா?
నాకు సహాయం చేయగలరా?
naaku sahaayam cheyagalaraa?
What?
என்ன?
ఏమిటి?
emiti?
Where?
எங்கே?
ఎక్కడ?
ekkada?
When?
எப்போது?
ఎప్పుడు?
eppudu?
Why?
ஏன்?
ఎందుకు?
enduku?
Travel
Where is the toilet?
கழிப்பறை எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
మరుగుదొడ్డి ఎక్కడ ఉంది?
marugudoddi ekkada undi?
In speech, "bathroom" or "toilet" in English is usual.
Where is the bus stand?
பேருந்து நிலையம் எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
బస్ స్టాండ్ ఎక్కడ ఉంది?
bas staand ekkada undi?
Where is the railway station?
ரயில் நிலையம் எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
రైల్వే స్టేషన్ ఎక్కడ ఉంది?
railve steshan ekkada undi?
How do I get to the airport?
விமான நிலையத்துக்கு எப்படிப் போவது?
విమానాశ్రయానికి ఎలా వెళ్ళాలి?
vimaanaashrayaaniki elaa vellaali?
How far is it?
அது எவ்வளவு தூரம்?
అది ఎంత దూరం?
adi entha dooram?
Go straight
நேராகப் போங்கள்
నేరుగా వెళ్ళండి
nerugaa vellandi
Turn left
இடது பக்கம் திரும்புங்கள்
ఎడమ వైపు తిరగండి
edama vaipu thiragandi
Turn right
வலது பக்கம் திரும்புங்கள்
కుడి వైపు తిరగండి
kudi vaipu thiragandi
Please stop here
இங்கே நிறுத்துங்கள்
ఇక్కడ ఆపండి
ikkada aapandi
I am lost
நான் வழி தவறிவிட்டேன்
నేను దారి తప్పిపోయాను
nenu daari thappipoyaanu
I need a room
எனக்கு ஒரு அறை வேண்டும்
నాకు ఒక గది కావాలి
naaku oka gadi kaavaali
Shopping
How much is this?
இது என்ன விலை?
దీని ధర ఎంత?
deeni dhara entha?
It is too expensive
விலை மிகவும் அதிகம்
ధర చాలా ఎక్కువ
dhara chaalaa ekkuva
Please lower the price a little
விலையைக் கொஞ்சம் குறைத்துக் கொடுங்கள்
కొంచెం ధర తగ్గించండి
konchem dhara thagginchandi
I want this
எனக்கு இது வேண்டும்
నాకు ఇది కావాలి
naaku idi kaavaali
I do not want this
எனக்கு இது வேண்டாம்
నాకు ఇది వద్దు
naaku idi vaddu
Do you have change?
சில்லறை இருக்கிறதா?
చిల్లర ఉందా?
chillara undaa?
The same word as Tamil சில்லறை.
I am just looking
சும்மா பார்க்கிறேன்
ఊరికే చూస్తున్నాను
oorike choostunnaanu
When does the shop open?
கடை எப்போது திறக்கும்?
దుకాణం ఎప్పుడు తెరుస్తారు?
dukaanam eppudu therustaaru?
Literally "when will they open the shop?".
Food
Water
தண்ணீர்
నీళ్ళు
neellu
Related to Tamil நீர்.
I am hungry
எனக்குப் பசிக்கிறது
నాకు ఆకలిగా ఉంది
naaku aakaligaa undi
I am thirsty
எனக்குத் தாகமாக இருக்கிறது
నాకు దాహంగా ఉంది
naaku daahangaa undi
Rice (cooked)
சாதம்
అన్నం
annam
The same word as the formal Tamil அன்னம். Raw rice is బియ్యం (biyyam).
Milk
பால்
పాలు
paalu
Tea
தேநீர்
టీ
tee
Coffee
காபி
కాఫీ
kaafee
I am vegetarian
நான் சைவம்
నేను శాకాహారిని
nenu shaakaahaarini
Less spicy, please
காரம் குறைவாகப் போடுங்கள்
కారం తక్కువగా వేయండి
kaaram thakkuvagaa veyandi
కారం is the same word as Tamil காரம்.
It is very tasty
மிகவும் சுவையாக இருக்கிறது
చాలా రుచిగా ఉంది
chaalaa ruchigaa undi
The bill, please
பில் கொடுங்கள்
బిల్ ఇవ్వండి
bil ivvandi
Have you eaten?
சாப்பிட்டீர்களா?
భోజనం చేశారా?
bhojanam cheshaaraa?
Also asked as a friendly check-in, often as తిన్నారా? (thinnaaraa?).
That is enough, thank you
போதும், நன்றி
చాలు, ధన్యవాదాలు
chaalu, dhanyavaadaalu
Salt
உப்பு
ఉప్పు
uppu
Health
I need a doctor
எனக்கு ஒரு மருத்துவர் வேண்டும்
నాకు డాక్టర్ కావాలి
naaku daaktar kaavaali
Where is the hospital?
மருத்துவமனை எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
ఆసుపత్రి ఎక్కడ ఉంది?
aasupathri ekkada undi?
Where is the pharmacy?
மருந்துக் கடை எங்கே இருக்கிறது?
మందుల దుకాణం ఎక్కడ ఉంది?
mandula dukaanam ekkada undi?
I have a fever
எனக்குக் காய்ச்சல் இருக்கிறது
నాకు జ్వరంగా ఉంది
naaku jvarangaa undi
I have a headache
எனக்குத் தலை வலிக்கிறது
నాకు తలనొప్పిగా ఉంది
naaku thalanoppigaa undi
My stomach hurts
எனக்கு வயிறு வலிக்கிறது
నాకు కడుపు నొప్పిగా ఉంది
naaku kadupu noppigaa undi
I am not well
எனக்கு உடம்பு சரியில்லை
నాకు ఒంట్లో బాగాలేదు
naaku ontlo baagaaledu
Emergency
Help! (save me)
காப்பாற்றுங்கள்!
కాపాడండి!
kaapaadandi!
Related to Tamil காப்பாற்றுங்கள்.
Call the police
காவல்துறையை அழையுங்கள்
పోలీసులను పిలవండి
poleesulanu pilavandi
Call an ambulance
ஆம்புலன்ஸை அழையுங்கள்
అంబులెన్స్ పిలవండి
ambulens pilavandi
Fire!
தீ!
అగ్ని ప్రమాదం!
agni pramaadam!
Literally "fire accident", the standard term.
Thief!
திருடன்!
దొంగ!
donga!
I have lost my phone
என் கைப்பேசி தொலைந்துவிட்டது
నా ఫోన్ పోయింది
naa fon poyindi
Be careful
கவனமாக இருங்கள்
జాగ్రత్తగా ఉండండి
jaagraththagaa undandi
Danger
ஆபத்து
ప్రమాదం
pramaadam
Work
What work do you do?
நீங்கள் என்ன வேலை செய்கிறீர்கள்?
మీరు ఏం పని చేస్తారు?
meeru em pani chestaaru?
I work in an office
நான் அலுவலகத்தில் வேலை செய்கிறேன்
నేను ఆఫీసులో పని చేస్తాను
nenu aafeesulo pani chestaanu
I am a teacher
நான் ஆசிரியர்
నేను ఉపాధ్యాయుడిని
nenu upaadhyaayudini
A woman says ఉపాధ్యాయురాలిని (upaadhyaayuraalini).
The meeting is at ten
கூட்டம் பத்து மணிக்கு
మీటింగ్ పది గంటలకు
meeting padi gantalaku
I am busy now
நான் இப்போது வேலையாக இருக்கிறேன்
నేను ఇప్పుడు పనిలో ఉన్నాను
nenu ippudu panilo unnaanu
Literally "I am in work now". The English "busy" is common in speech.
I will call you later
நான் உங்களைப் பிறகு அழைக்கிறேன்
నేను మీకు తర్వాత ఫోన్ చేస్తాను
nenu meeku tharvaatha fon chestaanu
I need leave tomorrow
எனக்கு நாளை விடுப்பு வேண்டும்
నాకు రేపు సెలవు కావాలి
naaku repu selavu kaavaali
The work is finished
வேலை முடிந்துவிட்டது
పని అయిపోయింది
pani ayipoyindi
Family
Mother
அம்மா
అమ్మ
amma
Father
அப்பா
నాన్న
naanna
Elder brother
அண்ணன்
అన్నయ్య
annayya
Related to Tamil அண்ணன்; also a polite way to address an older man.
Younger brother
தம்பி
తమ్ముడు
thammudu
Related to Tamil தம்பி.
Elder sister
அக்கா
అక్క
akka
Younger sister
தங்கை
చెల్లెలు
chellelu
Addressed as చెల్లి (chelli).
Son
மகன்
కొడుకు
koduku
Daughter
மகள்
కూతురు
koothuru
Husband
கணவர்
భర్త
bhartha
Wife
மனைவி
భార్య
bhaarya
Grandmother
பாட்டி
అమ్మమ్మ
ammamma
అమ్మమ్మ is your mother's mother; your father's mother is నానమ్మ (naanamma). Tamil பாட்டி covers both.
Friend
நண்பர்
స్నేహితుడు
snehithudu
A female friend is స్నేహితురాలు (snehithuraalu).
Time and Numbers
One
ஒன்று
ఒకటి
okati
Two
இரண்டு
రెండు
rendu
Three
மூன்று
మూడు
moodu
Four
நான்கு
నాలుగు
naalugu
Five
ஐந்து
ఐదు
aidu
Six
ஆறு
ఆరు
aaru
Seven
ஏழு
ఏడు
edu
Eight
எட்டு
ఎనిమిది
enimidi
Nine
ஒன்பது
తొమ్మిది
thommidi
Ten
பத்து
పది
padi
One hundred
நூறு
వంద
vanda
Today
இன்று
ఈ రోజు
ee roju
Tomorrow
நாளை
రేపు
repu
Yesterday
நேற்று
నిన్న
ninna
Now
இப்போது
ఇప్పుడు
ippudu
What time is it?
மணி என்ன?
సమయం ఎంత అయింది?
samayam entha ayindi?
Shared words
Words Tamil and Telugu Share, and Where They Part
| Tamil | Telugu | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| பால் paal | పాలు | milk | Shared Dravidian word; Telugu adds a final vowel. |
| உப்பு uppu | ఉప్పు | salt | Shared Dravidian word, identical in both. |
| கண் kan | కన్ను | eye | Shared Dravidian word. |
| நீர் neer | నీరు | water | Shared Dravidian word; everyday Telugu uses నీళ్ళు. |
| புலி puli | పులి | tiger | Shared Dravidian word. |
| பத்து pathu | పది | ten | Shared Dravidian numeral. |
| பெயர் peyar | పేరు | name | Shared Dravidian word; spoken Tamil பேர் is closer still. |
| ஊர் oor | ఊరు | home town, village | Shared Dravidian word. |
| அக்கா akka | అక్క | elder sister | Shared Dravidian kinship word. |
| அண்ணன் annan | అన్న | elder brother | Shared Dravidian kinship word. |
| தம்பி thambi | తమ్ముడు | younger brother | Related kinship words. |
| கொஞ்சம் konjam | కొంచెం | a little | Shared Dravidian word. |
| கோழி kozhi | కోడి | chicken | Related Dravidian words. |
| கஷ்டம் kashtam | కష్టం | difficulty | Sanskrit loan in both. |
| சந்தோஷம் sandhosham | సంతోషం | happiness | Sanskrit loan in both; formal Tamil prefers மகிழ்ச்சி. |
| அவசரம் avasaram | అవసరం | hurry / need | False friend from Sanskrit avasara: Tamil அவசரம் is a hurry; Telugu అవసరం is a need, as in "is it needed?". |
Questions People Ask
How do you say vanakkam in Telugu?
నమస్కారం (namaskaaram) is the standard greeting. నమస్తే (namaste) is also common, especially in towns. Copy the Telugu greeting from the phrasebook, keeping the Roman guide beside it while practising. For a longer introduction, translate the complete Tamil sentence separately and check any name or place in the result.
What is "eppadi irukkeenga" in Telugu?
మీరు ఎలా ఉన్నారు? (meeru elaa unnaaru?). The usual reply is నేను బాగున్నాను (nenu baagunnaanu), "I am fine". Use the full Telugu question and read any note before changing who it addresses. The Roman guide supports this listed expression, but it does not supply the pronunciation of every custom sentence you translate.
Are Tamil and Telugu mutually intelligible?
Not really in conversation. Many nouns are shared, but verbs, word endings and sound patterns differ enough that most people need to learn the other language. Use the phrasebook to compare a complete request instead of assuming shared vocabulary makes a whole conversation understandable. For a new message, check the translated action, person and time rather than just the familiar nouns.
Does Telugu use the same word for "she" and "it"?
Not the same pronoun, but the same verb form. ఆమె (she) and అది (it) both take వచ్చింది, while Tamil says வந்தாள் for her and வந்தது for it. Keep the person clear in the original Tamil when checking this contrast. Compare a complete phrasebook example instead of choosing a Telugu verb by copying only a Tamil gender ending or an isolated pronoun.
What does avasaram mean in Telugu?
Need or necessity. In Tamil, அவசரம் means hurry or urgency. Telugu అవసరం లేదు means "not needed". Check the whole request before copying a Telugu sentence containing this word. A familiar sound can hide a different meaning, so compare the source phrase rather than relying on a word-by-word reading alone.
Why do Telugu words end in u?
Telugu prefers words that end in a vowel, so many nouns take a final -u: పాలు (milk), పేరు (name), ఊరు (town). Tamil keeps the final consonant: பால், பெயர், ஊர். Do not add a final vowel to every Tamil word to make Telugu. Copy a complete Telugu word or phrasebook expression, and check a person’s preferred Telugu spelling separately before using it in a name.
Can your server translate Tamil into Telugu?
Yes. The server reads Tamil through an English intermediate step and then produces Telugu with IndicTrans2. Choose Translate with our server only when you want to send that text. Check a short sentence first, keeping names and numbers visible, before translating the rest of a longer Tamil message in smaller sections.
Why can I translate Tamil to Telugu but not Telugu back on your server?
The models available to our server support different directions: the Telugu-writing model accepts English, while the model used to read non-English input does not support Telugu. Use the Telugu to Tamil page for its phrasebook and available browser translation, or choose its Google Translate link for a new Telugu sentence.
Will changing the Tamil font turn my message into Telugu?
No. A font changes the appearance of text; Tamil to Telugu translation changes its language. Paste actual Tamil text into the input and read the Telugu output rather than selecting a Telugu font over the original. For a person’s name, confirm the Telugu spelling separately because you may want its sound preserved instead of its meaning.
Where can I find Telugu travel phrases with Tamil meanings?
Use the Travel category in this page’s phrasebook to compare a listed Tamil request with its Telugu wording and Roman guide. Copy the complete expression that fits your trip rather than joining unrelated fragments. If your request adds a destination, time or person, translate that complete new sentence and check the changed details.
Sources
The language facts on this page come from these sources, last checked on . The phrases are curated by us. If a line is wrong, tell us.
- Michigan State University: Basic Tamil, verb endings openbooks.lib.msu.edu
- IGNOU: greetings across Indian languages egyankosh.ac.in
- Unicode Standard: writing systems and character order unicode.org
- Google Translate Help: translating written words support.google.com
- Census of India 2011, Language (Paper 1 of 2018), Statements 3 and 4 censusindia.gov.in
- Glottolog: Telugu glottolog.org
- Glottolog: Tamil glottolog.org
- Unicode Standard, Telugu code chart (U+0C00 to U+0C7F) unicode.org
- Unicode Standard, Tamil code chart (U+0B80 to U+0BFF) unicode.org
- Microsoft: Windows keyboard layouts learn.microsoft.com
- Constitution of Sri Lanka, Chapter IV (Language) parliament.lk
- Chrome: Translator API (supported languages and platforms) developer.chrome.com
- Cloudflare Workers AI: IndicTrans2 English to Indic model developers.cloudflare.com
- Cloudflare Workers AI: M2M100 many-to-many model developers.cloudflare.com