Anusvara, Visarga and Chandrabindu in Telugu

Three small marks modify vowels in Telugu writing.

Anusvara (సున్న)

The anusvara, written ం, is a small circle. It is called సున్న (sunna), which also means zero. It adds a nasal sound at the end of a syllable.

• పుస్తకం (pustakam), book
• ఇంట్లో (intlo), in the house
• అంతా (anthaa), all
• సంతోషం (santhosham), happiness

Its pronunciation adapts to the following letter, becoming m, n or ng.

Visarga (విసర్గ)

The visarga, written ః, adds a light breath after the vowel. It is rare, and appears mainly in Sanskrit-origin words:

• దుఃఖం (dukham), sorrow

Chandrabindu (అరసున్న)

The ఁ mark, called అరసున్న (arasunna), was once used for a light nasal sound. It is largely out of use in modern Telugu.

The word-final -ం

Many Telugu words end in -ం, giving them a nasal ending:

• నీలం (neelam), blue
• ధైర్యం (dhairyam), courage

How to read it

• At the end of a word, ం sounds like a soft m.
• Before a consonant, it matches the sound of that consonant's group.

Typing

Most keyboards place ం and ః on the vowel-sign row.

Spelling matters

A missing anusvara changes the word. Check spellings with a dictionary when unsure.

Tips

1. Notice the circle at the end of words.
2. Practise words with ం.
3. Use the dictionary to confirm spelling.

Look up any Telugu word with English Telugu Dictionary →