Telugu grammar and language questions appear in several Andhra Pradesh recruitment papers: the Telugu language paper of the DSC for language teachers, the Telugu section of the TET, and the language portions that some APPSC papers and departmental tests carry. The questions are rarely about long theory. They ask you to split a word, name a compound, recognise a figure of speech, count syllables in a verse, or choose the right synonym. These are skills, and skills improve with worked examples rather than with memorised lists.
This guide is written for readers who study in English and want to understand the Telugu grammar categories without having grown up with the school textbook. Every Telugu term is given in Telugu script and in a simple Roman transliteration (long vowels are written double, so "aa" is the long a). The rules are not translated word for word from a Telugu textbook; they are explained so that the logic is clear, and then tested on examples. If you are also preparing for literature, read Telugu language and literature from Kavitrayam to the modern era alongside this post, which covers the poets, works and awards that this post deliberately does not repeat.
A note on the source used. The definitions below follow the traditional school grammar tradition that descends from the nineteenth-century Balavyakaranamu (బాలవ్యాకరణము), the grammar on which most Telugu school books are modelled. For this revision I opened the Telugu and English Wikipedia pages on Telugu grammar, sandhi, samasa, alankara and the individual metres, and I used them to cross-check the rules and the metre figures. I did not have the Telugu Akademi, AP SCERT or Andhra University texts open, so please confirm any point of detail against the textbook your notification prescribes. The full list of what was opened, and what was not, is at the end of the post.
1. How the Telugu grammar syllabus is organised
Telugu school grammar divides language into a few units, and exam questions follow the same units. It helps to keep this map in mind before studying any one topic.
| Unit | Telugu term | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Joining of sounds | sandhi (సంధి) | How two words or parts merge |
| Compounds | samasam (సమాసము) | How two words become one with a hidden relationship |
| Figures of speech | alankaram (అలంకారము) | Sound and meaning ornaments in poetry |
| Prosody | chandassu (ఛందస్సు) | Syllable weight, ganas, yati, prasa, metres |
| Case | vibhakti (విభక్తి) | Noun endings and their meanings |
| Verbs | kriya (క్రియ) | Finite and non-finite verbs, tense, person |
| Vocabulary | paryaya padalu, vyutpatti | Synonyms and word origins |
| Idiom | sametalu, jatiyalu | Proverbs and idiomatic phrases |
The first four units carry most of the marks in language papers, so this post spends most of its time there and then covers the rest in a compact, example-heavy form.
2. Sandhi: when two words join
Sandhi (సంధి) is the joining of the last sound of one word with the first sound of the next, with a change at the junction. In Telugu there are two families. The first is the sandhis of Sanskrit-origin words (tatsama words); the second is the sandhis of native Telugu words (achchatelugu). Exams ask for both, and the most common mistake is applying a Sanskrit rule to a Telugu word or the reverse. The first question to ask in any sandhi problem is therefore: is this word from Sanskrit or is it native Telugu?
A practical method works for every sandhi question. First, split the word at the point where the change happened. Second, write the last vowel of the first part and the first vowel of the second part. Third, see what the result shows at the junction, and match that to the rule. Fourth, check that the name you choose fits the language family of the word.
2.1 Sanskrit sandhis (samskrita sandhulu)
Savarnadirgha sandhi (సవర్ణదీర్ఘ సంధి, savarna-deergha). When a vowel is followed by a vowel of the same kind (savarna, meaning "of the same class"), the two merge into one long vowel of that class. The classes are a/aa, i/ii, u/uu and the vowel ru.
- raama + aalayamu = raamaalayamu (రామ + ఆలయము = రామాలయము): a + aa gives aa.
- kavi + indrudu = kaveendrudu (కవి + ఇంద్రుడు = కవీంద్రుడు): i + i gives ii.
- bhaanu + udayamu = bhaanoodayamu (భాను + ఉదయము = భానూదయము): u + u gives uu.
- pitru + runamu = pitroonamu (పితృ + ఋణము = పితౄణము): ru + ru gives long ru.
Gunasandhi (గుణసంధి). When a or aa is followed by i or ii, the result is ee. If it is followed by u or uu, the result is oo. If it is followed by ru, the result is "ar".
- raaja + indrudu = raajendrudu (రాజ + ఇంద్రుడు = రాజేంద్రుడు): a + i gives e.
- soorya + udayamu = sooryodayamu (సూర్య + ఉదయము = సూర్యోదయము): a + u gives o.
- maha + rushi = maharshi (మహా + ఋషి = మహర్షి): aa + ru gives ar.
- rama + eesudu = ramesudu (రమా + ఈశుడు = రమేశుడు): aa + ii gives e.
Vriddhisandhi (వృద్ధిసంధి). When a or aa is followed by e or ee, the result is ai. If it is followed by o or oo, the result is au.
- eka + eka = ekaika (ఏక + ఏక = ఏకైక): a + e gives ai.
- mata + aikyamu = mataikyamu (మత + ఐక్యము = మతైక్యము): a + ai gives ai.
- vana + oushadhi = vanoushadhi (వన + ఓషధి = వనౌషధి): a + o gives au.
- jala + oughamu = jalaughamu (జల + ఓఘము = జలౌఘము): a + au gives au.
Yanadesha sandhi (యణాదేశ సంధి). When i or ii is followed by a vowel that is not of the same class, the i becomes "y". When u or uu is followed by a different vowel, the u becomes "v". When ru is followed by a different vowel, it becomes "r". The following vowel is then carried along on the new consonant.
- ati + antamu = atyantamu (అతి + అంతము = అత్యంతము): i becomes y.
- prati + ekamu = pratyekamu (ప్రతి + ఏకము = ప్రత్యేకము).
- su + aagatamu = svaagatamu (సు + ఆగతము = స్వాగతము): u becomes v.
- manu + antaramu = manvantaramu (మను + అంతరము = మన్వంతరము).
- pitru + aajna = pitraajna (పితృ + ఆజ్ఞ = పిత్రాజ్ఞ): ru becomes r.
A fast way to separate the four. Look only at the first vowel and the second vowel. Same class, one long vowel: savarnadirgha. First is a or aa and second is i or u or ru: guna. First is a or aa and second is e or o (or ai or au): vriddhi. First is i, u or ru and second is a different vowel: yanadesha. If you rehearse this four-line decision tree until it is automatic, you will gain marks and time.
Other Sanskrit sandhis that appear less often. Jashtva sandhi turns a hard consonant at the end of the first word into a soft one before a vowel or a soft consonant: vaak + eesudu = vaageesudu (వాక్ + ఈశుడు = వాగీశుడు). Anunasika sandhi turns a final stop into a nasal before a nasal: vaak + mayamu = vaangmayamu (వాక్ + మయము = వాఙ్మయము). Visarga sandhi turns the visarga (the "h" sound written as two dots) into o in many words: manah + haramu = manoharamu (మనః + హరము = మనోహరము). Ayavaayaavaadesha sandhi changes ai, au and similar sounds into "aay", "aav" before a vowel: nai + akudu = naayakudu (నై + అకుడు = నాయకుడు); nau + ikudu = naavikudu (నౌ + ఇకుడు = నావికుడు).
2.2 Native Telugu sandhis (achchatelugu sandhulu)
These apply to Telugu-origin words and are the ones students most often confuse with Sanskrit sandhis. In every case the rule is about what happens to the vowel at the end of the first word when a vowel begins the second.
Ukaarasandhi (ఉకార సంధి). When a first word ending in "u" meets a following vowel, the "u" disappears and the vowel of the second word stays. The rule is regular and almost never optional.
- raamudu + atadu = raamudatadu (రాముడు + అతడు = రాముడతడు).
- manamu + untimi = manamuntimi (మనము + ఉంటిమి = మనముంటిమి).
- atadu + evadu = atadevadu (అతడు + ఎవడు = అతడెవడు).
Akaarasandhi (అకార సంధి). When a first word ending in a short "a" meets a following vowel, the "a" disappears. This applies to a limited set of words (such as certain pronouns and fixed forms), which is why the traditional rule says it applies "in many cases" rather than always.
- mena + alludu = menalludu (మేన + అల్లుడు = మేనల్లుడు): the nephew who is the son of one's sister.
- raama + ayya = raamayya (రామ + అయ్య = రామయ్య).
Ikaarasandhi (ఇకార సంధి). When a first word ending in "i" (such as the question word emi) meets a vowel, the "i" may disappear. The sandhi is optional in this case: both forms are acceptable.
- emi + antivi = emantivi (ఏమి + అంటివి = ఏమంటివి).
- emi + anenu = emanenu (ఏమి + అనెను = ఏమనెను).
Trikasandhi (త్రిక సంధి). The three words aa, ii and ee (ఆ, ఈ, ఏ) are the "trika" (a group of three: that, this, which). When one of them is followed by a plain consonant, that consonant is usually doubled; when followed by a vowel, the glide "y" is inserted.
- aa + chootu = aachchootu (ఆ + చోటు = ఆచ్చోటు).
- aa + abbaayi = aayabbaayi (ఆ + అబ్బాయి = ఆయబ్బాయి).
Aamredita sandhi (ఆమ్రేడిత సంధి). When a word is repeated (an "aamredita", a doubled word), usually in exclamations, the junction of the two may merge. The sandhi is optional.
- aahaa + aahaa = aahaahaa (ఆహా + ఆహా = ఆహాహా).
- ayyo + ayyo = ayyayyo (అయ్యో + అయ్యో = అయ్యయ్యో).
Gasadadavaadesha sandhi (గసడదవాదేశ సంధి). When a second word begins with a hard consonant (ka, cha, ta, pa) and the first word ends in a certain way, the hard consonant is replaced by ga, sa, da, da or va. This is why you see forms like these in classical verse:
- atadu + kaladu = atadugaladu (అతడు + కలడు = అతడుగలడు).
- krishnudu + poyenu = krishnuduvoyenu (కృష్ణుడు + పోయెను = కృష్ణుడువోయెను).
Other native sandhis in the syllabus include dviruktatakara sandhi, pumpvaadesha sandhi and rugaagama sandhi. They appear far less often, and the fastest preparation is to study them from the prescribed textbook with its own examples.
2.3 Common sandhi traps
The first trap is calling a Telugu word a Sanskrit sandhi. "Raamudatadu" is not guna or savarnadirgha sandhi even though a vowel is lost; it is ukaarasandhi. The second trap is the visually similar guna and vriddhi: remember that vriddhi is the "bigger" one and produces ai or au. The third trap is calling "atyantamu" a case of savarnadirgha because it contains two a vowels at the junction. The junction is really i + a, which makes it yanadesha. The fourth trap is forgetting that the form must be a real word: "maharshi" is accepted, "mahaarishi" is not.
3. Samasam: compounds in Telugu
A samasam (సమాసము) joins two or more words into one while dropping the connecting words. To analyse a compound you write its "vigraha vakyam" (విగ్రహవాక్యము), the sentence that restores the hidden words. The compound's name depends on what that sentence shows.
Tatpurusha samasam (తత్పురుష సమాసము). The first word stands in a case relation to the second, and the second word carries the main meaning. These are named after the case: second case (dvitiya), third (trutiya), fourth (chaturthi), fifth (panchami), sixth (shashthi), seventh (saptami).
- Dvitiya: krishnuni aashrayinchinavaadu = krishnaashritudu (కృష్ణుని ఆశ్రయించినవాడు).
- Chaturthi: vanta kosam aina illu = vantayillu (వంట కొఱకైన ఇల్లు): a house meant for cooking.
- Panchami: dongavalana bhayamu = dongabhayamu (దొంగవలన భయము).
- Shashthi: raaju yokka bhatudu = raajabhatudu (రాజు యొక్క భటుడు).
- Saptami: kavulalo shreshthudu = kavishreshthudu (కవులలో శ్రేష్ఠుడు).
Karmadharaya samasam (కర్మధారయ సమాసము). The two words are in the same case and the first describes the second (adjective plus noun). Examples: chirunavvu (చిరునవ్వు, a small smile) and nallakaluva (నల్లకలువ, a dark lily). There are sub-types you should be able to name. The upamana-purvapada kind has a comparison object first: kamalamu vanti netramu = kamalanetramu (కమలము వంటి నేత్రము). The upamanottarapada kind has it second: purushudu simhamu vale = purushasimhamu (పురుషసింహము). The rupaka kind identifies one thing as the other: vidya anu dhanamu = vidyadhanamu (విద్యాధనము). The distinction between simile and metaphor in grammar is the same as in poetry: "like" for comparison, "is" for identification.
Dvigu samasam (ద్విగు సమాసము). The first word is a number. Moodu lokamulu = mullokamulu (ముల్లోకములు). When the number-word compound refers to a collection, it is called samahara dvigu: nava ratnamulu (నవరత్నములు), the group of nine gems. Pancha paatra (పంచపాత్ర) is another example.
Dvandva samasam (ద్వంద్వ సమాసము). Both words are equally important and are joined with "and": talli dandrulu = tallidandrulu (తల్లిదండ్రులు), raama lakshmanulu (రామలక్ష్మణులు). The key test is that no member dominates.
Bahuvrihi samasam (బహువ్రీహి సమాసము). The compound refers to something outside both words, usually a person who has the quality. Neela kanthamu kalavaadu = neelakanthudu (నీలకంఠుడు, the one with the dark throat). Padmamu naabhilo kalavaadu = padmanaabhudu (పద్మనాభుడు). A common slip is to confuse this with karmadharaya. If the compound still means the thing named by its second word, it is karmadharaya; if it means someone or something outside, it is bahuvrihi.
Avyayibhava samasam (అవ్యయీభావ సమాసము). The first word is an indeclinable (avyayam), and the compound works as an adverb. Yathaakramamu (యథాక్రమము, in order), pratidinamu (ప్రతిదినము, every day), yathaashakti (యథాశక్తి, according to ability).
Nan-tatpurusha samasam (నఞ్ తత్పురుష సమాసము). The first element negates the second: anuchitamu (అనుచితము, not proper), asatyamu (అసత్యము, untruth).
How to answer a samasa question. Write the vigraha vakyam first. If it contains a case ending such as "yokka" or "kosam", it is tatpurusha. If it contains "vanti" or "vale" it is a comparison type. If it names a number, dvigu. If it joins with "mariyu" (and), dvandva. If it points to someone outside, bahuvrihi. This takes ten seconds and prevents most mistakes.
4. Alankaralu: figures of speech
Alankaras (అలంకారాలు) are the ornaments of poetry. They fall into two groups: sabdalankaras (శబ్దాలంకారాలు), which depend on the sound of the words, and arthalankaras (అర్థాలంకారాలు), which depend on the meaning. Telugu poetry theory names a very large number of figures, but exam questions concentrate on a core set.
4.1 Sound figures (sabdalankaralu)
Vrittyanuprasa (వృత్త్యనుప్రాస). A consonant or a group of consonants is repeated several times in a verse line. Illustration (written for this guide): "tarunee tarala taranga taalamuna tanivi teerche" repeats the consonant "t" several times. The repetition is for musical effect, with no change of meaning.
Chekanuprasa (ఛేకానుప్రాస). A group of consonants and vowels is repeated just once with a different meaning each time, usually in two adjacent words. The key words are "twice" and "different meaning", so a line repeating a single syllable several times is not chekanuprasa but vrittyanuprasa.
Latanuprasa (లాటానుప్రాస). The same word is repeated with the same meaning but with a different purpose or sense of qualification. The classic example is "kamalakshunarchinchu karamulu karamulu" (కమలాక్షునర్చించు కరములు కరములు), in which "karamulu karamulu" means that only those hands that worship the lotus-eyed one deserve to be called hands.
Yamakam (యమకము). A group of letters is repeated in the same order but with different meanings, as in the phrase "puramunandu nandipuramunandu" from the standard school examples. The repeated group has two separate meanings in its two appearances.
Muktapadagrastam (ముక్తపదగ్రస్తము). The last word of one line is taken up as the first word of the next. It works like a chain of verse.
4.2 Meaning figures (arthalankaralu)
Upama (ఉపమ). One thing is compared with another. A complete upama has four parts: the upameyam (ఉపమేయము, the thing being described), the upamanam (ఉపమానము, the thing it is compared to), the samanadharmam (సమానధర్మము, the shared quality) and the upamavaachakam (ఉపమావాచకము, the word of comparison such as "vale" or "vanti"). Example: "aame mukhamu chandrunivale prakaashinchuchunnadi." Here "mukhamu" is the upameyam, "chandrudu" the upamanam, "prakaashamu" the shared quality, and "vale" the word of comparison. When one of the four is missing, the figure is a lupta upama; when all four are present, it is a purna upama.
Utpreksha (ఉత్ప్రేక్ష). The poet imagines or suspects that one thing is another. The language uses words of doubt or fancy such as "emo", "kaabolu", "anna", "annattu". Example: "veedhi deepaalu chukkale nelaku digenemo." The street lamps are imagined to be stars that have come down to earth. The difference from upama is that the comparison is expressed as a possibility, not as a likeness.
Rupakam (రూపకము). The upameyam and upamanam are identified: there is no word of comparison, and the one is said to be the other. "Aame mukhachandramu" calls the face a moon. The test is always whether "vale" can be inserted without changing the sense. If it can, and the poet has not inserted it, you are looking at rupakam.
Slesha (శ్లేష). A word or phrase carries two or more meanings at once. A word such as "hari" can mean a lion, Vishnu or a monkey, so a sentence built on it can be read two ways, and the verse deliberately exploits that. Slesha is the usual source of "double-meaning" questions.
Atishayokti (అతిశయోక్తి). Exaggeration beyond belief for emphasis: "his wealth made Kubera's treasury look like a handful of grain".
Arthantaranyasa (అర్థాంతరన్యాసము). A particular statement is supported by a general truth. "Hanumantudu samudramu daatenu; mahaatmulaku asaadhyamedi?" The first sentence states a fact; the second states a general principle that explains it.
Drishtantam (దృష్టాంతము). Two statements, one about the subject and one about an example, which are separate but mirror each other, with no word of comparison.
Svabhavokti (స్వభావోక్తి). A natural and faithful description of a thing as it is, with no exaggeration, such as a verse that simply depicts a child's play.
Exam traps in alankaras. Upama versus utpreksha: look for the doubt-word. Upama versus rupakam: look for the comparison word. Vrittyanuprasa versus chekanuprasa: count the repetitions. Slesha versus yamakam: slesha uses one word with two meanings, yamakam uses a letter group repeated with different meanings.
5. Chandassu: prosody and the common metres
Chandassu (ఛందస్సు) is the study of verse form. Telugu verse is measured in syllables (aksharamulu), not in feet of fixed duration, and the basic distinction is between a light syllable and a heavy one.
5.1 Laghuvu and guruvu
A laghuvu (లఘువు) is a light syllable: a short vowel not followed by a conjunct consonant. A guruvu (గురువు) is a heavy syllable. A syllable is heavy if it has a long vowel (aa, ii, uu, ee, oo), if it is ai or au, if it is followed by a conjunct consonant (a double or joined consonant), or if it carries the anusvara or visarga (a nasal dot or an "h" sound).
Practise on words:
| Word | Syllables | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| amma (అమ్మ) | am + ma | guruvu, laghuvu |
| telugu (తెలుగు) | te + lu + gu | laghuvu, laghuvu, laghuvu |
| aandhra (ఆంధ్ర) | aan + dhra | guruvu, laghuvu |
| raamudu (రాముడు) | raa + mu + du | guruvu, laghuvu, laghuvu |
| krishna (కృష్ణ) | krish + na | guruvu, laghuvu |
The last two cases show the commonest slip. The first syllable of "krishna" is heavy because it is followed by the conjunct "shna", not because it is a long vowel.
5.2 Ganas
A gana (గణము) is a group of three syllables, and there are eight of them. The traditional memory string is "ya-maa-taa-raa-ja-bhaa-na-sa-la-gam", where each letter, together with the next two syllables of the string, defines a pattern. The patterns are:
| Gana | Telugu | Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| ya | య | light, heavy, heavy |
| ma | మ | heavy, heavy, heavy |
| ta | త | heavy, heavy, light |
| ra | ర | heavy, light, heavy |
| ja | జ | light, heavy, light |
| bha | భ | heavy, light, light |
| na | న | light, light, light |
| sa | స | light, light, heavy |
Telugu school prosody also uses two single-syllable symbols, "la" for one light syllable and "ga" for one heavy syllable, to complete a line when the number of syllables is not a multiple of three. The final "va" in the metres below stands for the closing pair of syllables.
5.3 Yati and prasa
Yati (యతి) is the metrical pause. In a verse line it requires that the first syllable of the line and a syllable at a fixed position are related by a defined "maitri" (friendship) of letters. In practice, the two letters should be the same or belong to a recognised group of matching letters. Prasa (ప్రాస) is the rule that the second syllable of each line begins with the same consonant in all the lines of the verse. The word "prasa-yati" refers to a variant in which the second letters match in place of the yati rule.
5.4 The four vrittas (Sanskrit-origin metres)
Vrittas are metres with a fixed number of syllables in every line, a fixed gana pattern and a fixed yati position. All four lines (padas) follow the same pattern and prasa is compulsory. These four are the most examined.
| Metre | Gana pattern per line | Syllables per line | Yati at syllable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utpalamala (ఉత్పలమాల) | bha, ra, na, bha, bha, ra, va | 20 | 10 |
| Champakamala (చంపకమాల) | na, ja, bha, ja, ja, ja, ra | 21 | 11 |
| Sardulavikridita (శార్దూలము) | ma, sa, ja, sa, ta, ta, ga | 19 | 13 |
| Mattebhavikridita (మత్తేభము) | sa, bha, ra, na, ma, ya, va | 20 | 14 |
You can sanity-check these figures by arithmetic. Utpalamala has six full ganas (18 syllables) and a final "va" of two syllables, which gives 20. Champakamala has six full ganas and a final "ra" of three syllables, which gives 21. Sardulam has six full ganas (18) and a final "ga" of one syllable, which gives 19. Mattebham has six full ganas and a final two-syllable "va", which gives 20. If you can reconstruct the totals in your head, you do not need to memorise them blindly.
A useful memory aid is to remember the order of the four by their syllable counts: Sardulam is the shortest at 19, Utpalamala and Mattebham are 20, and Champakamala is the longest at 21. For utpalamala, the Telugu Wikipedia page notes that Potana's Bhagavatam uses this metre extensively. For yati, remember that in champakamala the first syllable and the eleventh syllable should be related by yati-maitri.
5.5 The jati metres (native Telugu metres)
Jati metres are counted in ganas of fixed duration (matra), not in syllable patterns, and they are more flexible than the vrittas. The duration of a laghuvu is counted as one matra and a guruvu as two. Two main groups of gana are used here.
- Surya ganas (సూర్యగణములు): two types, "na" (three light syllables) and "ha" (a heavy syllable followed by a light one). Each is three matras.
- Indra ganas (ఇంద్రగణములు): six types: nala (four light), naga (three light and one heavy), sala (two light, a heavy, a light), bha (heavy, light, light), ra (heavy, light, heavy), ta (heavy, heavy, light).
Kandam (కందము). A verse of four lines. Lines 1 and 3 have three ganas; lines 2 and 4 have five. Only four-matra ganas are used: gaga (two heavies), bha, ja, sa and nala. The ja gana cannot fall in an odd-numbered place. The sixth gana of each pair of lines (the third gana of line 2 or 4) must be ja or nala, and lines 2 and 4 end with a heavy syllable. Yati falls between the first syllable of the line and the first syllable of the fourth gana in lines 2 and 4. Prasa is compulsory, and prasa-yati does not count.
Seesam (సీసము). A verse whose four long lines each contain eight ganas: six Indra ganas followed by two Surya ganas. The yati relations are between the first gana and the third, and between the fifth and the seventh. There is no prasa rule. A seesam verse is always completed by a short closing verse, either an aataveladi or a teta geeti.
Aataveladi (ఆటవెలది). Four lines. Lines 1 and 3 have three Surya ganas followed by two Indra ganas; lines 2 and 4 have five Surya ganas. Yati falls at the first syllable of the fourth gana. The poet Vemana's verses are in this metre.
Teta geeti (తేటగీతి). Four lines. Each line has one Surya gana, two Indra ganas and two more Surya ganas. Yati falls at the first syllable of the fourth gana. There is no compulsory prasa.
A simple memory device: aataveladi has an uneven pattern (3 Surya plus 2 Indra, then 5 Surya) while teta geeti repeats the same pattern in every line.
5.6 A worked chandassu question
Question: a verse line has 21 syllables and ends with a ra gana. Which metre could it be? Answer: champakamala, because its pattern is na, ja, bha, ja, ja, ja, ra and it has 21 syllables (the six full ganas give 18, the final ra gives 3). The only vritta with a final "ra" is champakamala, and that is also the only one with 21 syllables.
6. Vibhaktulu: noun case endings
Vibhakti (విభక్తి) is the case ending that shows the role of a noun in a sentence. The traditional Telugu list has eight divisions, and each has typical suffixes and meanings.
| Vibhakti | Common suffixes | Typical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Prathama (ప్రథమా) | du, mu, vu, lu | subject |
| Dvitiya (ద్వితీయా) | nu, ni | object |
| Trutiya (తృతీయా) | chetha, thoda, tho | by, with |
| Chaturthi (చతుర్థీ) | kosam, kai | for |
| Panchami (పంచమీ) | valana, kante | from, than |
| Shashthi (షష్ఠీ) | ki, ku, yokka | of, to |
| Saptami (సప్తమీ) | andu, na, lo | in, at |
| Sambodhana (సంబోధనా) | O, oyi, ori | calling |
The first case is also called the nominative and the last, the vocative. In sambodhana, "ori" is used for a man and "osi" for a woman in familiar speech. Textbooks differ slightly in how they group some endings, particularly "lo", which some list under the sixth case and others under the seventh. Follow the grouping in the book your exam uses.
A fast test. Identify the question the noun answers: who or what (prathama), whom or what (dvitiya), with what (trutiya), for whom or what (chaturthi), from what (panchami), whose (shashthi), where (saptami).
7. Kriyalu: verbs
A Telugu verb (kriya, క్రియ) is classified in several ways that exams use.
Samapaka and asamapaka (సమాపక, అసమాపక). A samapaka kriya ends a sentence and carries tense and person: "vaadu vachchenu" (he came). An asamapaka kriya is incomplete and joins a clause to another: "tini velladu" (having eaten, he went).
Sakarmaka and akarmaka (సకర్మక, అకర్మక). A sakarmaka verb needs an object ("pustakam chadivenu", he read a book). An akarmaka verb does not ("vaadu nidrinchenu", he slept).
Tense and person. Tense is bhuta (past), vartamana (present) and bhavishyat (future). Person is prathama purusha (third person, "atadu"), madhyama purusha (second, "neevu") and uttama purusha (first, "nenu").
Common non-finite forms. The kriya forms that exams name are:
- Ktvarthakam (క్త్వార్థకము): the "having done" form, ending in "i" or "chi": tini, chuchi.
- Shatrarthakam (శత్రర్థకము): the "while doing" form, ending in "uchu": tinuchu.
- Chedarthakam (చేదర్థకము): the "if" form: tinina (if he eats).
- Tumunnarthakam (తుమున్నర్థకము): the "in order to" form: tinutaku.
- Prerananarthakam (ప్రేరణార్థకము): the causative, "make someone do": tinipinchu (feed).
- Nishedharthakam (నిషేధార్థకము): the negative: tinadu.
Since the Telugu verb forms follow regular patterns, the best preparation is to take any five familiar verbs and write out each of these forms.
8. Paryayapadalu: synonyms
Synonym questions are the most direct marks in any language paper, and the base vocabulary is finite. Learn the following groups, each with the common word first.
| Word | Meaning | Synonyms |
|---|---|---|
| neeru (నీరు) | water | jalamu, udakamu, toyamu, salilamu |
| bhoomi (భూమి) | earth | dharani, avani, dhaatri, ila, vasudha |
| suryudu (సూర్యుడు) | sun | bhanudu, ravi, aadityudu, dinakarudu |
| chandrudu (చంద్రుడు) | moon | shashi, somudu, vidhuvu |
| aakaasham (ఆకాశము) | sky | ningi, gaganamu, ambaramu, nabhamu |
| adavi (అడవి) | forest | vanamu, kaananamu, vipinamu, aranyamu |
| kannu (కన్ను) | eye | netramu, nayanamu, akshi, lochanamu |
| cheṭṭu (చెట్టు) | tree | vrikshamu, taruvu, paadapamu |
| aeenugu (ఏనుగు) | elephant | kari, gajamu, hasti, dviradamu |
| gurramu (గుఱ్ఱము) | horse | ashvamu, hayamu, turagamu |
| agni (అగ్ని) | fire | nippu, vahni, analamu, paavakudu |
| gaali (గాలి) | wind | pavanamu, maarutamu, sameeramu |
Learn them in clusters of five in a session, and then cover the Telugu column and recite the group from memory.
9. Vyutpatti: word origins
Telugu vocabulary is divided by origin, and this is the "vyutpatti" (వ్యుత్పత్తి) classification.
- Tatsama (తత్సమము): Sanskrit words used unchanged: raajaa, bhaasha, pooja.
- Tadbhava (తద్భవము): Sanskrit words changed in Telugu: aggi (from agni), aakasamu (from aakaasha), baasa (from bhaasha), katha shortened to kata.
- Desya (దేశ్యము): native Telugu words that have no Sanskrit source: amma, nanna, chettu, kannu, illu.
- Gramya (గ్రామ్యము): colloquial, non-standard forms used in speech that are not accepted in formal writing.
- Anyadesya (అన్యదేశ్యము): loan words from other languages: kurchee (Persian), kalamu (Arabic), bassu (English).
To identify a tadbhava, look for the source word. If you can match it to a Sanskrit word by a regular sound change (a conjunct simplified, a long vowel shortened), it is tadbhava. If you cannot find a Sanskrit source and it is a basic word, it is probably desya.
10. Sametalu and jatiyalu
A sameta (సామెత) is a proverb, and a jatiya (జాతీయము) is an idiom. A proverb is a complete sentence with a general lesson, while an idiom is a phrase whose meaning differs from the literal one. Exams ask for the meaning or the situation in which each is used.
| Proverb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| andani draakshha pullana | claiming something unreachable is not worth having |
| inti dongani eeshwarudaina pattaledu | a thief inside the house is hard to catch |
| nidaname pradhanamu | steadiness matters more than speed |
| pitta konchem kuuta ghanam | small in size, big in voice or talent |
| renti ki cheddha revadi | one who loses on both sides |
| adagande ammayina pettadu | even a mother will not feed you unless you ask |
| boodidalo posina panneeru | effort wasted on a useless recipient |
| chevitivaani mundhu sankham oodinattu | speaking to someone who will not listen |
| taadini tannevaadunte vaadi tala tannevaadu | there is always someone stronger |
| eru daataka teppa tagalesinattu | forgetting a helper after the need is over |
Idioms to know include: kantiki reppala chusukovadam (to protect with great care), mukkuna veli vesukovadam (to be astonished), gaalilo medalu kattadam (to daydream), neellu namaladam (to hesitate in answering), arachetilo vaikuntam choopadam (to promise the impossible), kaaliki buddhi cheppadam (to run away), tala pandipovadam (to be very experienced), kondantha andha (a huge support) and chevilo puvvulu pettadam (to deceive).
11. Worked examples, step by step
Example 1 (sandhi). Split and name: "sooryodayamu". Split: sooryo + udayamu = soorya + udayamu. Last vowel of the first part: a. First vowel of the second: u. A followed by u gives o, so it is gunasandhi.
Example 2 (sandhi). Split and name: "atyantamu". Split: ati + antamu. Last vowel of the first part: i. First vowel of the second: a. I followed by a different vowel becomes y, so it is yanadesha sandhi.
Example 3 (sandhi). Split and name: "raamudatadu". Split: raamudu + atadu. The word ends in u and the u disappears before the vowel, and the words are Telugu, so it is ukaarasandhi.
Example 4 (samasam). Name the compound "neelakanthudu". Vigraha: neelamaina kanthamu kalavaadu (one who has a dark throat). Meaning points outside the two words, so it is bahuvrihi.
Example 5 (samasam). Name "kamalanetramu". Vigraha: kamalamu vanti netramu (an eye like a lotus). Comparison object first: upamana-purvapada karmadharaya.
Example 6 (alankaram). "The moon rose like a silver plate." The word "like" signals the comparison, so it is upama, with moon as upameyam and plate as upamanam.
Example 7 (alankaram). "Aame mukhachandramu." No word of comparison, and the face is called a moon, so it is rupakam.
Example 8 (chandassu). A line has 19 syllables with yati at the 13th. The only match is sardulam, whose pattern is ma, sa, ja, sa, ta, ta, ga.
Example 9 (chandassu). The pattern of "krishna" is guruvu, laghuvu. The first syllable "krish" is heavy because "shna" is a conjunct.
Example 10 (vibhakti). "Raajuyokka bhatudu": the suffix "yokka" is the sixth case, so the compound is a shashthi tatpurusha.
12. How to revise this topic in two weeks
Spread the work over fourteen days. Days one and two cover sandhi, with ten split-and-name questions a day. Days three and four cover samasam, writing a vigraha for twenty compounds. Days five and six cover alankaras, finding the figure in ten verses. Days seven and eight cover chandassu, scanning words for laghuvu and guruvu and memorising the table of metres. Day nine covers vibhakti and kriya. Day ten covers synonyms. Day eleven covers vyutpatti and proverbs. Days twelve to fourteen are for mixed practice and full-length timed tests. Maintain a small notebook of your errors; most students repeat the same three mistakes.
Key facts for exams
- Sanskrit sandhis: savarnadirgha (same class gives long), guna (a plus i, u, ru gives e, o, ar), vriddhi (a plus e, ai, o, au gives ai, au), yanadesha (i, u, ru plus a different vowel gives y, v, r).
- Native sandhis: ukaara (almost always), akaara, ikaara (optional), trika, aamredita, gasadadavaadesha.
- Samasa types: tatpurusha, karmadharaya, dvigu, dvandva, bahuvrihi, avyayibhava, nan-tatpurusha.
- Sound figures: vrittyanuprasa, chekanuprasa, latanuprasa, yamakam, muktapadagrastam. Meaning figures: upama, utpreksha, rupakam, slesha, atishayokti, arthantaranyasa, drishtantam, svabhavokti.
- Vrittas: utpalamala 20 syllables, yati 10; champakamala 21, yati 11; sardulam 19, yati 13; mattebham 20, yati 14.
- Jati metres: kandam (3 and 5 ganas), seesam (6 Indra and 2 Surya), aataveladi (3 Surya and 2 Indra, then 5 Surya), teta geeti (1 Surya, 2 Indra, 2 Surya).
- Laghuvu is light; guruvu is heavy. Heavy: long vowel, ai, au, before a conjunct, anusvara or visarga.
- Eight vibhaktis from prathama to sambodhana. Tadbhava words come from Sanskrit through sound change; desya words are native.
Practice questions
1. "Maharshi" is formed by which sandhi? a) Savarnadirgha b) Guna c) Vriddhi d) Yanadesha Answer: b. Aa plus ru gives ar, which is guna.
2. "Raamudatadu" is an example of: a) Ukaarasandhi b) Gunasandhi c) Trikasandhi d) Yanadesha sandhi Answer: a. The final u of raamudu disappears before a vowel in a Telugu word.
3. "Ekaika" (eka + eka) is formed by: a) Guna b) Vriddhi c) Savarnadirgha d) Yanadesha Answer: b. A plus e gives ai.
4. "Neelakanthudu" is which compound? a) Karmadharaya b) Dvigu c) Bahuvrihi d) Dvandva Answer: c. The meaning refers to someone outside both words.
5. "Mullokamulu" (moodu lokamulu) is: a) Dvandva b) Dvigu c) Avyayibhava d) Tatpurusha Answer: b. The first word is a number.
6. "Aame mukhachandramu" shows: a) Upama b) Utpreksha c) Rupakam d) Slesha Answer: c. The face is identified with the moon without a word of comparison.
7. A sentence that says the street lamps look as if stars had descended uses: a) Utpreksha b) Atishayokti c) Drishtantam d) Yamakam Answer: a. It presents a fancy with a word of supposition.
8. A vritta with 21 syllables per line and yati at the 11th is: a) Utpalamala b) Sardulam c) Mattebham d) Champakamala Answer: d. Champakamala has 21 syllables and yati at 11.
9. Which jati metre has lines of five Surya ganas in the even lines and three Surya plus two Indra in the odd lines? a) Teta geeti b) Aataveladi c) Kandam d) Seesam Answer: b. This is the aataveladi pattern.
10. The word "aggi" is related to "agni" as: a) Tatsama b) Tadbhava c) Desya d) Anyadesya Answer: b. It is a Sanskrit word changed in Telugu.
Frequently asked questions
Which Telugu grammar topics are most important for exams? Sandhi, samasam, alankaram and chandassu usually carry the most questions, followed by vibhakti, kriya, synonyms and proverbs. Check the syllabus in the current notification for your post.
Do I need to learn the Balavyakaranamu itself? No, learn the rules as your prescribed textbook gives them. The rules in this post follow the tradition of that grammar, but your exam will test the textbook's version.
How do I tell guna from vriddhi quickly? Guna gives e, o or ar. Vriddhi gives ai or au. Vriddhi is the larger sound.
Is "lo" a sixth-case or a seventh-case ending? Textbooks differ, and some list it under each. Follow the grouping in the book prescribed for your exam.
Why does the metre table list a final "va" or "ga"? Because the line's syllable count is not always a multiple of three, a short closing group completes it. Check that the totals match: 20, 21, 19 and 20.
Is this post enough for the literature section? No. For poets, works and awards, read the literature guide.
Where can I confirm the exact exam pattern? In the latest official notification of the recruiting body for your post. Pattern and syllabus change from one notification to the next.
Related reading
- Telugu language and literature: Kavitrayam to the modern era
- AP TET guide
- AP DSC School Assistant
- AP DSC SGT
- AP DSC syllabus 2026
- APPSC Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 compared
- Telugu version of this post
Practise on pareeksha.in
After studying, practise with timed questions. The platform offers 10 Lakh+ MCQs, 100+ Exams and 5,000+ Full-Length Mocks, and you can try a mock test to see how language questions feel under time pressure. Confirm syllabus and pattern details in the latest official notification.
Sources and verification
Pages opened for this revision:
- Telugu grammar, English Wikipedia (sandhi families, the eight cases, compound types, verb classes), used as a cross-check only.
- Chandas (poetry), English Wikipedia (laghuvu and guruvu, the eight ganas, yati and prasa).
- Telugu Wikipedia pages on utpalamala, champakamala, sardulam (shardulavikridita), mattebham, kandam, seesam, aataveladi and teta geeti (syllable counts, gana patterns, yati places), and the Telugu Wikipedia pages on samasam, alankaram, sandhi and Balavyakaranamu, used as cross-checks.
Not verified and hedged in the text: the Telugu Akademi, AP SCERT and Andhra University texts were not opened, so the grouping of case endings (especially "lo"), the optional or compulsory status of some native sandhis and the exact gana restrictions of kandam should be confirmed against the prescribed textbook. The attribution of the Balavyakaranamu to its author and period is from general knowledge, since the summary retrieved from the Telugu Wikipedia page was unclear on this point. The illustrative lines marked as written for this guide are original examples, not quotations. The exact exam pattern and syllabus for each post are not stated here; check the latest notification.
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