6. Adjectives and Sensory Descriptions
Whether you're picking out the perfect mango at the Rythu Bazar or asking a server at a Biryani house to tone down the heat, adjectives provide the necessary nuance for quality and quantity.
1. Quantitative and Comparative Adjectives
When bargaining, knowing how to express "a little" or "too much" is critical.
| English | Telugu | Hindi Bridge | Context / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A little | Koncham ⟨Kon-cham⟩ | Thoda | Koncham tagginchandi. (Reduce a little—for bargaining) |
| More / Much | Ekkuva ⟨Ek-ku-va⟩ | Zyada / Bahut | Idhi ekkuva kadha? (Isn't this too much?) |
| Less | Takkuva ⟨Tak-ku-va⟩ | Kam | Takkuva ivvandi. (Give less) |
| Big | Pedda ⟨Ped-da⟩ | Bada | Pedda size kaavaali. (I want the big size) |
| Small | Chinna ⟨Chin-na⟩ | Chhota | Chinna change ivvandi. (Give small change) |
| New | Kotta ⟨Kot-ta⟩ | Naya | Kotta illu. (New house) |
| Old | Paatha ⟨Paa-tha⟩ | Purana | Paatha bike. (Old bike) |
2. Qualitative Adjectives
Expressing your satisfaction or dissatisfaction is how you become a "regular" at any establishment instead of just a passing customer.
- Baagundi ⟨Baa-gun-di⟩ — Good. (Achha hai). You will use this 10 times a day. "Biryani baagundi", "Office baagundi".
- Baaledu ⟨Baa-lay-du⟩ — Bad. (Kharaab hai). Useful for expressing dissatisfaction.
Taste Vocabulary
Hyderabad is defined by its food. If you dine out, you need these terms.
| Meaning | Hindi Bridge | Telugu |
|---|---|---|
| Spicy / Hot | Teekha | Kaaram ⟨Kaa-ram⟩ |
| Sweet | Meetha | Teepi ⟨Tee-pi⟩ |
| Salty | Namkeen | Uppu ⟨Up-pu⟩ |
| Sour | Khatta | Pulupu ⟨Pu-lu-pu⟩ |
| Bitter | Kadwa | Chedhu ⟨Che-dhu⟩ |
Local Tip: A classic order at a local tea stall involves asking for "Less sugar"—Teepi koncham tagginchandi. (Please reduce sugar a little). Let them know you aren't an absolute beginner!