Are you struggling to learn the Telugu alphabet? Don’t worry, this post will teach you the basics in no time!
Telugu is a Dravidian language spoken in India, specifically in the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states. It has around 83 million native speakers, and is one of the most spoken languages in the country. If you’re learning the language and want to start with the basics, keep reading to discover all about its alphabet.
Table Of Contents
The Telugu Alphabet
The Telugu alphabet, or Telugu script, has 52 letters, which are separated into 16 vowels, or achchullu (అచ్చులు), and 36 consonants, or halullu (హల్లులు). Historically, the script used to have 56 characters, but some aren’t used anymore due to changes over time.
The history of the Telugu script goes way back, with the earliest recorded word being from 200 BC. It developed from the Brahmi script, which is where many Indian scripts came from. Telugu formed its alphabet over the ages, which is identified by its complex curves and rounded forms, and is now one of the official scripts of the Indian Republic.
Telugu Letters
Now that we know a bit of history, let’s dive in and learn all the letters of the Telugu alphabet.
Telugu Vowels
Let’s start with the vowels, or achchullu (అచ్చులు). As we mentioned, there are 16 of them. The Telugu language differentiates between long and short vowels, which you can see in the table below:
| Telugu Letter | Sound |
|---|---|
| అ | a |
| ఆ | aa |
| ఇ | i |
| ఈ | ii |
| ఉ | u |
| ఊ | uu |
| ఋ | ru |
| ౠ | rru |
| ఎ | e |
| ఏ | ee |
| ఐ | ai |
| ఒ | o |
| ఓ | oo |
| ఔ | au |
| అం | am |
| అః | aha |
Now that we know the vowels, let’s see them in use. Here is one Telugu word for each letter, so you can practice.
| English | Telugu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Mother | అమ్మ | Amma |
| Cow | ఆవు | Avu |
| House | ఇల్లు | Illu |
| Fly | ఈగ | Ega |
| Squirrel | ఉడుత | Udutha |
| Swing Bed | ఊయల | Uyla |
| Season | ఋతువు | Ruthuvu |
| Saint | ౠషి | Rushi |
| Rat | ఎలుక | Yeluka |
| Elephant | ఏనుగు | Yenugu |
| Five | ఐదు | Idhu |
| Camel | ఒంటె | Vonte |
| Ship | ఓడ | Voda |
| Medicine | ఔషధం | Oushadham |
| Foot trinket | అందె | Ande |
| Palace | అంతఃపురం | Anthapuram |
Telugu Consonants
Onto the consonant letters, or halullu (హల్లులు). These are 36, and they combine with the vowels to create complex syllables. These in turn form words, such as Telugu verbs, for example.
| Telugu Letter | Sound | Telugu Letter | Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| క | Ka | ప | Pa |
| ఖ | Kha | ఫ | Pha |
| గ | Ga | బ | Ba |
| ఘ | Gha | భ | Bha |
| ఙ | ṅa | మ | Ma |
| చ | Cha | య | Ya |
| ఛ | Chha | ర | Ra |
| జ | Ja | ల | La |
| ఝ | Jha | వ | Va |
| ఞ | ña | శ | Sha |
| ట | ṭa | ష | ṣha |
| ఠ | Tha | స | Sa |
| డ | ḍa | హ | Ha |
| ఢ | ḍha | ళ | ḷa |
| ణ | ṇa | క్ష | Ksha |
| త | Ta | ఱ | ṟa |
| థ | Tha | ||
| ద | Da |
And here are some Telugu words to show the consonants in use.
| English | Telugu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hand | కరము | Ka – Karamu |
| Sword | ఖడ్గము | Kha – Kadgamu |
| Basket | గంప | Ga – Gampa |
| Bell | ఘంట | Gha – Ghanta |
| Moon | చందమామ | Cha – Chandamama |
| Umbrella | ఛత్రము | Chha – Chhatramu |
| Water | జలము | Ja – Jalamu |
| Jhansi | ఝాన్సీ | Jha – Jhansi |
| Knowledge | జ్ఞానం | ña – Gñanam |
| Tomato | టమాట | ṭa – ṭamata |
| Throat | కంఠము | Tha – Kanthamu |
| Tin | డబ్బా | ḍa – ḍabba |
| Drum | ఢంకా | ḍha – ḍhanka |
| Arrow | బాణము | ṇa – Baṇamu |
| Generation | తరము | Ta – Taramu |
| Chariot | రథము | Tha – Rathamu |
| Wreath | దండ | Da – Danda |
| Bow | ధనస్సు | Dha – Dhanasu |
| Fox | నక్క | Nakka |
| Slate | పలక | Pa – Palaka |
| Fruit | ఫలము | Pha – Phalamu |
| School | బడి | Ba – Badi |
| Earth | భూమి | Bha – Bhumi |
| Jasmin | మల్లె | Ma – Malle |
| Sacrifice | యజ్ఞము | Ya – Yajnamu |
| Gem | రత్నము | Ra – Ratnamu |
| Goddess Lakshmi | లక్ష్మి | La – Lakshmi |
| Brinjal | వంకాయ | Va – Vankaya |
| Peace | శాంతి | Sha – Shanti |
| Milk | క్షీరము | Ksh – Kshiram |
| Time | సమయం | Sa – Samayam |
| Swan | హంస | Ha – Hamsa |
| Lock | తాళము | Tha – Thalamu |
| Warrior | క్షత్రియడు | Ksh – Kshatriyudu |
| Saw | ఱంపం | Ra – Rampam |
How Do You Say ‘Alphabet’ In Telugu?
‘Alphabet’ in Telugu is వర్ణమాల (Varnamala). The Telugu Varnamala refers to the complete set of letters in the Telugu alphabet. వర్ణం (varna) means letters and మాల (mala) means garland, so the ‘garland of Telugu letters’ is వర్ణమాల (Varnamala).
Frequently Asked Questions Related To The Telugu Alphabet
1. What Is The Order Of The Telugu Alphabet?
The Telugu alphabet follows a traditional order, starting with vowels and followed by consonants. This order is similar to that of other Indian scripts, following a phonetic organization based on pronunciation.
2. Are Kannada And Telugu Scripts The Same?
The Telugu and Kannada scripts are similar, but not the same. This is because they both originated from the Brahmi script. As such, if we learn Telugu, the Kannada language will be a bit easier.
3. What Is The Name Of The Telugu Script?
The name of the Telugu script is తెలుగు లిపి, or Telugu Lipi, which literally translates to ‘Telugu script.’
Wrapping Up
Learning the Telugu alphabet can be the first step in getting to know this fascinating language. You can then move on to more complex topics, such as Telugu nouns, verbs, prepositions, etc. Eventually, you’ll even be able to master Telugu homonyms!
Languages are also a great way to discover new cultures and ways of thought, and learning Telugu will open the door to connecting with its 83 million speakers (or some of them, at least!).
So, keep up the good work, and continue learning! If you need a hand, you can always count on the Ling app to help you improve your skills in a fun and engaging way.
