అమ్మాయి
ammāyi/ˈamːaːji/
The English word 'girl' can be translated into Telugu in several ways, with అమ్మాయి (ammāyi) being the default form. Wiktionary also lists కన్య (kanya) and బాలిక (bālika).
Meaning: young female person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Telugu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| అమ్మాయి | ammāyi | /ˈamːaːji/ |
| కన్య | kanya | |
| బాలిక | bālika | |
| పిల్ల | pilla | /pilːa/ |
The term refers to a young female person.
Which one should you use?
అమ్మాయి is the most common, neutral way to say 'girl' in everyday conversation. In contrast, కన్య refers specifically to a maiden or a young woman, often carrying a connotation of purity or being used in classical/literary contexts. బాలిక is a formal term for 'girl' often used in news, literature or official contexts. Finally, పిల్ల is a colloquial or affectionate way to refer to a young girl, often used in certain dialects or informal settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
అమ్మాయి is neutral.
How do you pronounce it?
ammāyi is pronounced /ˈamːaːji/.
Did you know?
- The word అమ్మాయి (ammāyi) is derived from అమ్మ (amma), which means 'mother'. This creates a linguistic link between the words for 'girl' and 'mother'.
- The formal term కన్య is actually a borrowed word from Sanskrit, whereas the more common colloquial terms are indigenous to the Dravidian language family.
- In many Telugu dialects, the word పిల్ల is not gender-specific and can refer to any child, regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl.
Examples in context
- ఆ అమ్మాయి చాలా తెలివైనది.Aa ammayi chaala telivainadi.That girl is very intelligent.
- ఆమె ఒక మంచి అమ్మాయి.Aame oka manchi ammayi.She is a good girl.
- చిన్న అమ్మాయి ఆడుకుంటోంది.Chinna ammayi aadukuntondi.The little girl is playing.
Example conversation
Ravi and Lakshmi are watching children in a park.
- లక్ష్మి Lakshmiరవి, ఆ అమ్మాయి ఎక్కడ?Ravi, aa ammayi ekkada?Ravi, where is that girl?
- రవి Raviఆమె అక్కడ చెట్టు కింద ఉంది.Aame akkada chettu kinda undi.She is there under the tree.
- లక్ష్మి Lakshmiఆమె చాలా వేగంగా పరిగెడుతోంది.Aame chaala veganga parigedutondi.She is running very fast.
- రవి Raviఅవును, ఆమె చాలా చురుకైన అమ్మాయి.Avunu, aame chaala churukaina ammayi.Yes, she is a very active girl.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “girl” translations and entries అమ్మాయి, కన్య, బాలిక, పిల్ల, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries కన్య, పిల్ల, CC BY-SA 4.0.
