You know how every language has those quirky, fun phrases that instantly make conversations more interesting, macha? That’s slang for you. Telugu, being one of the most expressive and lively languages in India, has many Telugu slang words that people love to use, macha being the most popular!
If you’re learning Telugu or just curious about how to sound like one of the cool kids, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a list of Telugu slang words that’ll make you feel like you’ve been speaking the language forever. Let’s get to it!
Table Of Contents
What Are Telugu Slang Words?
Think of slang as the secret sauce of casual conversations. Just like English has “lit,” “fam,” or “no cap,” Telugu has its own set of unique words that add humor, sass, or just plain personality to what people are saying. These aren’t the words you’ll find in textbooks—they’re the ones people use with friends, in WhatsApp chats, or while teasing each other.
Ready to impress your Telugu-speaking friends? Let’s check out some of these Telugu slang words in the section below!
Popular Telugu Slang Words And Their Meanings
Before we jump into the topic, let’s learn a bit of history. Telugu is spoken across two states—Andhra Pradesh and Telangana—and the slang varies depending on the region. There are three major dialects: namely Coastal Andhra Telugu, Telangana Telugu, and Rayalaseema Telugu.
Thanks to Telugu media, though, some slang words are so popular that everyone knows them. Here’s a mix of must-know phrases:
Slang Words To Use When Addressing People
1. Bro/Dude – Maccha (మచ్చా)
Think of this as the Telugu version of “Bro” or “Dude.” It’s originally from Tamil (the neighboring language), but it’s super popular in Rayalaseema.
- Example: “Maccha, want to grab a drink?” – Maccha, Oka Drink Tagudamaa? (మచ్చా, ఒక డ్రింక్ తాగుదామా?)
2. Brother-In-Law / Friend – Bava (బావా)
This one’s interesting—it traditionally means “brother-in-law,” but people use it casually to refer to close male friends.
- Example: “Bava, let’s watch a movie tonight.” – Bava, Ratriki Cinima Chuddam (బావా, రాత్రికి సినిమా చూద్దాం)
3. Younger Brother-In-Law – Bammardi (బామ్మర్ది)
Officially, it’s a word for your younger brother-in-law, but informally, it’s used in a fun, teasing way.
- Example: “Bammardi, what’s this style today? Looking sharp! – Bammardhi, Ivala Ee Style Entira? Bhale Unnavu! (బామ్మర్ది, ఇవాళ ఈ స్టైల్ ఏంటి రా? భలే ఉన్నావు!)
4. Uncle – Mava/Mova (మావా)
This is a go-to word for “uncle,” but depending on your tone, it can mean anything from “Hey, dude” to “What’s up, boss?”
- Example: “Mava, what’s the plan?” – Mava, Enti Plan? (మావా, ఏంటి ప్లాన్?)
5. Uncle – Babai (బాబాయ్)
Another word for uncle, but often used to address someone older in a respectful yet friendly way.
- Example: “Babai, how’s the tea today?” – Babai, Ivala Tea Ela Undi? (బాబాయ్, ఇవాళ టీ ఎలా ఉంది?)
Slang Words To Use When Expressing Emotions
6. Super – Keka (కేక)
This is what you say when something is awesome or great.
- Example: “Your speech was keka!” – Nee Speech Kekala Undi! (నీ స్పీచ్ కేకల ఉంది!)
7. Enticing/Dangerous – Katharnak (ఖతర్నాక్)
It literally means “dangerous,” but it’s used to describe something super cool or edgy.
- Example: “That new bike? Totally katharnak!” – Aa Kotta Bikaa? Katharnak Undi! (ఆ కొత్త బైకా? ఖతర్నాక్ ఉంది!)
8. Excellent – Adurs (అదుర్స్)
A classic word for anything fantastic.
- Example: “This biryani? Adurs!” – Ee Biryaniya? Adurs! (ఈ బిర్యానీయా? అదుర్స్!)
9. Epic – Oora Mass (ఊర మాస్)
Use this for something that’s just epic or over-the-top cool.
- Example: “The hero’s fight scene was oora mass!” – Hero Fight Scene Matram Oora Mass Asalu! (హీరో ఫైట్ సీన్ మాత్రం ఊర మాస్ అసలు!)
Slang Words To Use When Describing Situations
10. Ruckus – Lolli (లొల్లి)
A Telangana dialect word for unnecessary drama or chaos.
- Example: “Stop creating lolli over nothing!” – Eematram Daniki Lolli Cheyak (ఈమాత్రం దానికి లొల్లి చేయక)
11. Gutter – Gattar (గత్తర)
Borrowed from the English word “gutter,” this means something is completely messed up.
- Example: “The plan went gattar after it rained.” – Varsham Vacchi Plan Antha Gattar Aindi (వర్షం వచ్చి ప్లాన్ అంతా గత్తర అయింది)
12. Insignificant – Chillara (చిల్లర)
A word for anything petty or insignificant.
- Example: “Don’t waste time on chillara stuff.” – Chillara Golatho Time Waste Cheyyaku (చిల్లర గోలతో టైమ్ వెస్ట్ చేయకు)
Slang Words To Use When Describing Appearance
13. Top Tier – Thopu (తోపు)
This is used to describe someone or something that’s top-notch or super stylish. It works more like a Telugu adjective in a conversation.
- Example: “Your new jacket is thopu!” – Nee Kotta Jacket Thopu Undi (నీ కొత్త జాకెట్ తోపు ఉంది)
14. Classy – Class (క్లాస్)
Simple and elegant, this is for someone who looks sophisticated.
- Example: “You’re looking so class in that saree!” – Aa Cheeralo Nuvvu Bhale Class Ga Kanipistunnavu! (ఆ చీరలో నువ్వు భలే క్లాస్ గా కనిపిస్తున్నావు)
15. Outlandish/From The Hood – Local (లోకల్)
A playful word to tease someone with a simple or casual look.
- Example: “Dude, your hairstyle is so local!” – Arey, Nee Hairstyle Assal Local Laa Undi! (అరేయ్, నీ హాట్ స్టైల్ అసలు లోకల్ లా ఉంది!)
Other General Telugu Slang terms
16. Trouble – Scene (సీన్)
When someone’s showing off or making unnecessary trouble.
- Example: “Why are you creating a scene over this?” – Ee Matram Daniki Scene Chestunnavendi? (ఈ మాత్రం దానికి సీన్ చేస్తున్నవేంది?)
17. Double Meaning (డబుల్ మీనింగ్)
Used for jokes or comments with cheeky undertones.
- Example: “That comment? Total double meaning!” – Aa Commentaa? Mottam Double Meaning Asal. (ఆ కామెంటా? మొత్తం డబుల్ మీనింగ్ అసల్)
18. Nailed it/Damn – Tassadeeya (తస్సాదీయ)
An exclamation for nailing something or pulling it off in style.
- Example: “Tassadeeya! You aced the exam!” Tassadeeya! Exam Lo Top Vacchaavule! (తస్సాదీయ! ఎక్సమ్ లో టాప్ వచ్చావులే)
19. Lost/Waste/Failure – Bokka (బొక్క)
A dramatic slang for failure or something going horribly wrong.
- Example: “The cricket match? Total bokka from start to finish.” – Aa Cricket Matcha? Modati Nundi Aakari Varaku Bokkala Undi. (ఆ క్రికెట్ మ్యాచా? మొదటి నుండి ఆఖరి వరకు బొక్కలా ఉంది)
How Do You Say “Slang” In Telugu?
The word for “slang” in Telugu is Yaasa (యాస), and “slang words” are Yaasa Padalu (యాస పదాలు). Cool, right?
Tips For Perfecting Telugu Slang
A good way to learn Telugu slang words is to watch Telugu movies and shows. A lot of these slang words pop up in movies, so watching them is one of the easiest ways to learn. And the second best thing is to talk to your friends. The more you use these words in casual chats, the more natural they’ll feel. You can also learn some conversational Telugu phrases to up your speaking skills.
And finally, try language apps. Apps like the Ling app will help you measure what you’re learning and make the process more engaging.
Vocabulary List: Telugu Slang Words
Here’s a handy vocabulary table to help you revise what you’ve learned.
| English | Telugu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Bro | మచ్చ | Macha |
| Brother in law | భావ | Bava |
| Younger brother-in-law | బామ్మర్ది | Bammardi |
| Uncle | మావ/మాయ | Maava/Maaya |
| Uncle (Father’s younger brother) | బాబాయ్ | Babai |
| Super | కేక | Keka |
| Enticing/Dangerous | ఖతర్నాక్ | Katharnak |
| Excellent | అదుర్స్ | Adurs |
| Epic | ఊర మాస్ | Oora Mass |
| Ruckus | లొల్లి | Lolli |
| Gutter | గత్తర | Gattar |
| Insignificant | చిల్లర | Chillara |
| Top tier | తోపు | Thopu |
| Classy | క్లాస్ | Class |
| Outlandish/From the hood | లోకల్ | Local |
| Trouble | సీన్ | Scene |
| Cheeky undertone | డబుల్ మీనింగ్ | Double meaning |
| Nailed it/Damn | తస్సాదీయ | Tassadeeya |
| Lost/Waste/Failure | బొక్క | Bokka |
FAQs About Telugu Slang Words
1. Are Telugu Slang Words Appropriate For Formal Settings?
Telugu slang words are best reserved for casual conversations among friends, family, or peers. Using slang in formal or professional settings might come across as disrespectful as the work culture of Telugu people is quite formal and hierarchical.
2. What’s The Most Popular Telugu Slang Word?
One of the most widely recognized Telugu slang words is Jaffa, used to tease someone lightheartedly as silly or useless.
3. Can I Use Telugu Slang In Text Messages?
Absolutely! Telugu slang is commonly used in casual texting and social media conversations, but keep in mind that it should be done only with close friends. It’s a great way to keep the chat lively and engaging.
Wrapping It Up
We’ve learned about some Telugu slang words like maccha, jaffa, boka, and similar ones that are used in the Telugu-speaking regions of India. We learned their meanings, and the context or occasion of their usage – like addressing people and situations, expressing your emotions, etc. Remember to incorporate these in your daily practice with your friends slowly and you’ll impress them for sure.
Telugu slang words are your ticket to speaking the language like a local and connecting with Telugu speakers on a fun and personal level. Whether you’re calling someone Bava (బావా) or saying “Tassadeeya” (తస్సాదీయ), you’ll surely leave an impression.
If you want to learn more, here’s an interesting blog on the colloquial language evolution of Telugu. Read it to get some insights into the evolution of modern Telugu.
So what are you waiting for? Start adding some spice to your Telugu! Try using these phrases in your next conversation, and watch how the vibes instantly change!
