Question Words in Telugu: ఏమిటి, ఎవరు, ఎక్కడ and More
The main Telugu question words and how to form yes and no questions.
Asking questions is the quickest way to start a conversation.
The main question words
| Telugu | Romanised | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ఏమిటి | emiti | what |
| ఎవరు | evaru | who |
| ఎక్కడ | ekkada | where |
| ఎప్పుడు | eppudu | when |
| ఎందుకు | enduku | why |
| ఎలా | elaa | how |
| ఎంత | entha | how much |
| ఎన్ని | enni | how many |
| ఏది | aedi | which |
Examples
- ఇది ఏమిటి? What is this?
- అతను ఎవరు? Who is he?
- మీరు ఎక్కడ ఉంటారు? Where do you live?
- మీరు ఎప్పుడు వస్తారు? When will you come?
- మీరు తెలుగు ఎందుకు నేర్చుకుంటున్నారు? Why are you learning Telugu?
- ఇది ఎంత? How much is this?
Yes and no questions
Add -ా (a long ఆ sound) at the end of the key word, or raise your voice:
- మీరు వస్తారా? Will you come?
- ఇది మీ పుస్తకమా? Is this your book?
- మీకు తెలుగు వచ్చా? Do you know Telugu?
Answers
- అవును (avunu), yes
- కాదు (kaadu), no
- తెలియదు (theliyadu), I don't know
Word order
The question word usually appears just before the verb:
- మీరు ఎక్కడికి వెళ్తున్నారు? Where are you going?
Spoken forms
In speech, ఏమిటి often becomes ఏంటి: ఇదేంటి? (what is this?)
Tips
- Learn the nine question words.
- Add -ా for yes/no questions.
- Use the dictionary to check meanings.
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