Language/Telugu/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-Colors
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will learn the Telugu words for numbers and colors. Numbers and colors are essential vocabulary for describing objects, counting, and engaging in basic conversations. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to count in Telugu and describe objects using colors.
Numbers[edit | edit source]
Telugu uses its own set of numerals, which are derived from ancient Indian scripts. The Telugu numbering system is based on a decimal system, just like English. However, the numerals have their unique forms, and it is important to familiarize yourself with them to communicate effectively in Telugu.
Let's start by learning the Telugu numbers from 0 to 10:
Telugu | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
సున్నాడు | sunnāḍu | Zero |
ఒకటి | okati | One |
రెండు | reṇḍu | Two |
మూడు | mūḍu | Three |
నాలుగు | nālugu | Four |
అయిదు | ayidu | Five |
ఆరు | āru | Six |
ఏడు | ēḍu | Seven |
ఎనిమిది | enimidi | Eight |
తొమ్మిది | tommidi | Nine |
పది | padi | Ten |
As you can see, the Telugu numbers have their unique pronunciations. Practice saying these numbers aloud to improve your pronunciation and fluency in Telugu.
Now, let's move on to the numbers beyond ten. Telugu follows a pattern similar to English, where the numbers are formed by combining the words for the tens and the ones digits. Here are some examples:
Telugu | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
పదకొండు | padakondu | Eleven |
పన్నెండు | pannendu | Twelve |
పదమూడు | padamūḍu | Thirteen |
పదనాలుగు | padanālugu | Fourteen |
పదయిదు | padayidu | Fifteen |
పదారు | padāru | Sixteen |
పదవేడు | padevēḍu | Seventeen |
పదిహేడు | padihēḍu | Eighteen |
పదితొమ్మిది | paditommidi | Nineteen |
ఇరవై | iravai | Twenty |
ముప్పై | muppai | Thirty |
నలభై | nalabhai | Forty |
యాభై | yābhai | Fifty |
అరవై | aravai | Sixty |
ఎనభై | enabhai | Seventy |
తొమ్మిదిభై | tommidibhai | Eighty |
తొంభై | toṃbhai | Ninety |
నూరు | nūru | One hundred |
To form numbers beyond one hundred, you can combine the words for hundreds, tens, and ones. For example, "ఇరవై అరవై పది" (iravai aravai padi) means "sixty-five" in English. Practice forming different numbers to improve your Telugu number vocabulary.
Colors[edit | edit source]
Telugu has a rich vocabulary of colors, which can be used to describe objects and enhance your communication skills. Let's explore some common colors in Telugu:
Telugu | Pronunciation | English Translation |
---|---|---|
నీలం | nīlaṃ | Blue |
పసుపు | pasupu | Yellow |
పచ్చ | pachcha | Green |
ఎర్ర | erṛa | Red |
నల్ల | nalla | Black |
బంగారం | baṅgāraṃ | Gold |
వెంకట్లకొండ | veṅkaṭlakonḍa | Silver |
నరింజ | nariṃja | Orange |
వాడుక | vāḍuka | White |
గోధుమ | gōdhuma | Brown |
పసుపురంగము | pasupurangamu | Pink |
These are just a few examples of colors in Telugu. Practice saying these colors aloud and try using them to describe objects around you. By expanding your color vocabulary, you will be able to express yourself more accurately in Telugu.
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
In Telugu culture, colors hold significant cultural and religious symbolism. Different colors are associated with various festivals, rituals, and traditions. For example, during the festival of Holi, people play with vibrant colors, throwing and smearing each other with colored powders and water. This festival represents the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil.
Similarly, the colors worn during traditional Telugu weddings hold great importance. The bride is often adorned in a red or yellow saree, symbolizing prosperity and fertility. The groom typically wears a white or off-white dhoti, representing purity and simplicity.
Understanding the cultural significance of colors in Telugu culture can deepen your appreciation for the language and its traditions. It is always interesting to explore how language and culture intertwine to create a unique identity for a community.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to put your knowledge of Telugu numbers and colors to practice. Here are some exercises to help you reinforce what you've learned:
Exercise 1: Counting Objects - Look around you and count the number of objects you see in Telugu. For example, if you see three books, say "మూడు పుస్తకాలు" (mūḍu pustakālu). - Try counting different objects and practice forming the numbers in Telugu.
Exercise 2: Describing Objects - Choose a color from the Telugu color vocabulary and describe an object of that color. For example, if you choose "నీలం" (nīlaṃ), describe a blue object like "నీలం పుస్తకం" (nīlaṃ pustakam), which means "blue book". - Practice describing objects of different colors and expand your vocabulary.
Exercise 3: Cultural Connection - Research a Telugu festival or traditional event and find out the colors associated with it. Share your findings with a partner or write a short paragraph describing the significance of those colors in the context of the festival.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have successfully learned the Telugu words for numbers and colors. Numbers are fundamental for counting and describing quantities, while colors add depth and nuance to your language skills. Keep practicing and incorporating these words into your everyday conversations to become more fluent in Telugu.
In the next lesson, we will explore the Telugu words for days of the week and months of the year, enabling you to talk about dates and schedules.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Colors in Telugu at UC Davis
- Two Telugu Pads™ – LingoDodo
- Telugu Numbers ( Symbols + Words 1-10 ) Flashcards | Quizlet
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Medical and Health
- Education
- Counting and Numbers
- Days of the week dinamulu దినములు
- Fruits
- Colors and Shapes
- Health
- How to say Good Bye?
- Greetings and Introductions
◀️ Greetings and Introductions — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Days of the Week and Months ▶️ |