Language/Telugu/Grammar/Negative-and-Interrogative-Sentences

Telugu → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Negative and Interrogative Sentences

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on Negative and Interrogative Sentences in Telugu! In this lesson, we will learn how to construct negative and interrogative sentences in Telugu. These sentence structures are essential for effective communication and will greatly enhance your language skills. We will explore various aspects of negative and interrogative sentences, including their formation, usage, and common examples. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to use negative and interrogative sentences in Telugu.

Negative Sentences

In Telugu, negative sentences are formed by adding the negative particle "లేదు (lēdu)" or "కాదు (kādu)" after the verb. The choice between "లేదు (lēdu)" and "కాదు (kādu)" depends on the tense of the verb. Let's look at some examples to understand this better:

Present Tense

In the present tense, we use "కాదు (kādu)" to form negative sentences. Here are some examples:

Telugu	Pronunciation	English Translation
నేను రాత్రి మాట్లాడను.	Nēnu rātri māṭlādaṇu.	I don't speak at night.
మీరు చేయరాదు.	Mīru cēyarādu.	You don't do it.
అవాడు తెలుగులో మాట్లాడదు.	Avāḍu telugulō māṭlādadu.	He/She doesn't speak in Telugu.

Past Tense

In the past tense, we use "లేదు (lēdu)" to form negative sentences. Here are some examples:

Telugu	Pronunciation	English Translation
నేను రాత్రి మాట్లాడలేదు.	Nēnu rātri māṭlādaledu.	I didn't speak at night.
మీరు చేయలేదు.	Mīru cēyalēdu.	You didn't do it.
అవాడు తెలుగులో మాట్లాడలేదు.	Avāḍu telugulō māṭlādaledu.	He/She didn't speak in Telugu.

Future Tense

In the future tense, we use "కాదు (kādu)" to form negative sentences. Here are some examples:

Telugu	Pronunciation	English Translation
నేను రాత్రి మాట్లాడకుండా ఉండను.	Nēnu rātri māṭlāḍakuṇḍā uṇḍanu.	I will not speak at night.
మీరు చేయకుండానే ఉండరు.	Mīru cēyakuṇḍānē uṇḍaru.	You will not do it.
అవాడు తెలుగులో మాట్లాడకుండా ఉండదు.	Avāḍu telugulō māṭlāḍakuṇḍā uṇḍadu.	He/She will not speak in Telugu.

Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences in Telugu are formed by placing the interrogative particle "ఏం (ēm)" or "ఎలా (ēlā)" at the beginning of the sentence. Let's look at some examples to understand this better:

Yes/No Questions

In Telugu, yes/no questions are formed by adding the interrogative particle "ఏమిటి (ēmiṭi)" or "ఎలా (ēlā)" at the beginning of the sentence. Here are some examples:

Telugu	Pronunciation	English Translation
మీరు చెయ్యగలరా?	Mīru ceyyagalarā?	Can you do it?
అవాడు తెలుగులో మాట్లాడగలదా?	Avāḍu telugulō māṭlāḍagaladā?	Can he/she speak in Telugu?
నువ్వు వెళ్ళగలరా?	Nuwwu veḷḷagalarā?	Can you go?

Wh- Questions

In Telugu, Wh- questions are formed by adding the interrogative particle "ఏం (ēm)" or "ఎలా (ēlā)" at the beginning of the sentence. Here are some examples:

Telugu	Pronunciation	English Translation
నీకు ఏమి కావాలి?	Nīku ēmi kāvāli?	What do you want?
మీరు ఎక్కడ ఉన్నారు?	Mīru ekkada unnāru?	Where are you?
అవాడు ఎలా చేస్తున్నాడు?	Avāḍu ēlā cēstunnādu?	How is he/she doing it?

Cultural Insights

Telugu, being a rich and ancient language, has its own unique cultural aspects that influence the usage and understanding of negative and interrogative sentences. Regional variations in Telugu dialects can also play a role in the construction of these sentences. For example, in some dialects, the negative particle "లేదు (lēdu)" is replaced with "లేదా (lēdā)" or "రాదు (rādu)". Such variations add flavor and diversity to the Telugu language.

Historically, Telugu has been influenced by various dynasties and empires, such as the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, and Vijayanagara Empire. These influences have shaped the language and its grammar over the centuries. Studying Telugu grammar provides insights into the cultural and historical aspects of Telugu-speaking regions.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of negative and interrogative sentences in Telugu. Try to answer the questions and check your answers at the end.

Exercise 1

Rewrite the following sentences in negative form:

1. నేను అడుగుతున్నాను. (Nēnu aḍugutunnānu.) - I am dancing. 2. మీరు తెలుగులో మాట్లాడుతున్నారు. (Mīru telugulō māṭlāḍutunnāru.) - You are speaking in Telugu. 3. అవాడు సినిమా చూస్తున్నాడు. (Avāḍu sinimā cūstunnādu.) - He/She is watching a movie.

Exercise 2

Form an interrogative sentence using the given information:

1. అవాడు ఏమి చేస్తున్నాడు? (Avāḍu ēmi cēstunnādu?) - He/She is doing what? 2. నీకు ఎలా ఉందాం? (Nīku ēlā undām?) - How are you? 3. నువ్వు ఎక్కడ ఉన్నావు? (Nuwwu ekkada unnāvu?) - Where are you?

Solutions

Exercise 1

1. నేను అడుగులేదు. (Nēnu aḍugulēdu.) - I am not dancing. 2. మీరు తెలుగులో మాట్లాడలేదు. (Mīru telugulō māṭlāḍalēdu.) - You are not speaking in Telugu. 3. అవాడు సినిమా చూస్తున్నాడులేదు. (Avāḍu sinimā cūstunnādulēdu.) - He/She is not watching a movie.

Exercise 2

1. అవాడు ఏమి చేస్తున్నాడు? (Avāḍu ēmi cēstunnādu?) - What is he/she doing? 2. నీకు ఎలా ఉందాం? (Nīku ēlā undām?) - How are you? 3. నువ్వు ఎక్కడ ఉన్నావు? (Nuwwu ekkada unnāvu?) - Where are you?

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this lesson on Negative and Interrogative Sentences in Telugu! You have learned how to construct negative and interrogative sentences, as well as gained insights into the cultural and historical aspects of Telugu language. Remember to practice using these sentence structures in your conversations to become more fluent in Telugu. Keep up the good work and continue your language learning journey!

Table of Contents - Telugu Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Telugu Script

• Telugu Alphabet
• Vowel Signs

  ---

Basic Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Colors
• Days of the Week and Months

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject, Object, and Verb
• Question Formation

  ---

Everyday Vocabulary

• Family and Relationships
• Food and Drink
• Travel and Transportation

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Number
• Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Hobbies and Activities

• Sports and Exercise
• Entertainment and Media
• Arts and Crafts

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Telugu Culture and Traditions

• Festivals and Celebrations
• Food and Cuisine
• Arts and Entertainment

Sources

• Negative and Negative Interrogative Sentences in Telugu | Spoken ...

Other Lessons

• How to Use Be
• Basic Sentence Structure
• Nouns
• How to Use Have
• Adverbs
• Pronouns
• Tenses
• Gender
• Adjectives