What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the English loanword 'lunch' followed by the Telugu verb chesaara, which means 'did (you) do'.
Which one should you use?
Depending on the context, you might use different variations. To be more traditional or formal, you can use భోజనం చేశారా, which replaces the English word with the Telugu word for 'meal'. For more formal settings, you might also use Mee oota ayyinda?, whereas the informal version is Oota aindi kada?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form లంచ్ చేశారా is the polite or respectful way to ask the question, making it suitable for elders or strangers. For a more traditional or formal tone, use భోజనం చేశారా? or Mee oota ayyinda? If you are speaking informally, you can use Oota aindi kada? or the form లంచ్ చేశావా.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the informal version of this question, the ending changes from the polite chesaara to cheshava (as in లంచ్ చేశావా).
How do you pronounce it?
lunch chesaara
Did you know?
- In Telugu culture, asking 'Have you eaten?' is often used as a substitute for 'How are you?' It functions more as a social greeting to show care than a literal inquiry about hunger.
- The verb used in లంచ్ చేశారా is చేయడం, which means 'to do'. This means the phrase literally translates to 'did you do lunch?', treating the meal as an activity.
- While లంచ్ చేశారా is common, traditionalists may prefer భోజనం, which refers to a full meal and is historically associated with the ritual of eating on a banana leaf.
Examples in context
- లంచ్ చేశారా?lunch chēśārā?Had your lunch?
- మీరు లంచ్ చేశారా?mīru lunch chēśārā?Did you have your lunch?
- అన్నయ్య, లంచ్ చేశారా?annayya, lunch chēśārā?Brother, had your lunch?
Example conversation
Two colleagues meet in the office hallway around 2 PM.
- వెంకట్ Venkatకావ్య, లంచ్ చేశారా?Kāvya, lunch cheshārā?Kavya, did you have lunch?
- కావ్య Kavyaఅవును వెంకట్, చేశాను. మీరు చేశారా?Avunu Venkaṭ, cheshānu. Mīru cheshārā?Yes Venkat, I did. Did you?
- వెంకట్ Venkatఇంకా లేదు, ఇప్పుడే వెళ్తున్నాను.Inkā lēdu, ippudē velthunnānu.Not yet, I am going now.
- కావ్య Kavyaసరే, వెళ్ళండి.Sarē, velḷaṇḍi.Okay, please go.
