Language Guide
Telugu Language
Telugu (తెలుగు) is a Dravidian language spoken by approximately 96 million people, primarily in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is one of India's 22 scheduled languages and has classical language status.
96M+ speakers • Telugu script • Dravidian family • Classical language of India
Telugu Tools
Language Facts
- Native name
- తెలుగు (Telugu)
- Script
- Telugu script (తెలుగు లిపి)
- Speakers
- ~96 million native speakers
- Language family
- Dravidian, South-Central
- Direction
- Left to right
- Official in
- Andhra Pradesh, Telangana
- ISO code
- te
- Status
- Classical language of India
Key Facts
- Third most spoken language in India
- 15th most spoken language in the world
- Recognized classical language since 2008
- Over 2,000 years of recorded literary history
- Over 1 million Telugu speakers in the USA
- IT industry hub: Hyderabad (Telangana)
- Distinct from Kannada despite script similarity
Telugu Script Reference
Telugu has its own distinct script derived from the ancient Brahmi script. It uses vowels (అచ్చులు) and consonants (హల్లులు) that combine to form syllables.
Vowels (అచ్చులు)
| Telugu | Romanization |
|---|---|
| అ | A |
| ఆ | Aa |
| ఇ | I |
| ఈ | Ee |
| ఉ | U |
| ఊ | Oo |
| ఎ | E |
| ఏ | Ae |
| ఐ | Ai |
| ఒ | O |
| ఓ | Oo |
| ఔ | Au |
Telugu Translation Tools
Type Telugu Online
Type English phonetics and get Telugu script output instantly. For example, type "namaste" and get "నమస్తే". No special keyboard or software required.
Try Telugu Typing Tool →Frequently Asked Questions
What script is used for Telugu?
Telugu uses the Telugu script (తెలుగు లిపి), which runs left to right. It is a southern Indian abugida script with roots in the Brahmi script, distinct from the Devanagari script used for Hindi.
How many people speak Telugu?
Telugu is spoken by approximately 96 million native speakers, primarily in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is the third most spoken language in India and one of the 22 scheduled languages of the Indian Constitution.
Is Telugu a classical language?
Yes. Telugu was granted classical language status by the Government of India in 2008, recognizing its rich literary heritage spanning over 2,000 years. It joins Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia as classical languages of India.
How do I type Telugu using an English keyboard?
Use our English to Telugu Typing tool — type English phonetics and the tool converts it to Telugu script instantly. No special keyboard, software, or installation required.
Is Telugu related to Hindi?
No. Telugu is a Dravidian language while Hindi is Indo-Aryan — they come from completely different language families. However, both share Sanskrit-derived vocabulary, which creates some overlap in formal and literary usage.
What is the difference between Telugu and Kannada script?
Telugu and Kannada scripts look similar and both derive from the Kadamba script. However, they are distinct: Telugu script has rounded letters while Kannada has more angular forms. The languages themselves are entirely different despite the visual script resemblance.