ఎలా ఉన్నారు?
ela unnaru?
The English phrase "how are you?" is translated into Telugu as ఎలా ఉన్నారు? (ela unnaru?)
ఎలా ఉన్నారు? is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or state of health. it is used as a standard greeting similar to "how are you?" rather than a literal inquiry into a specific medical state.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ela (how) and unnaru (are/exist).
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version used with friends or younger people is ఎలా ఉన్నావు?
How do you pronounce it?
ela unnaru?
When do people say it?
A common response to this greeting is బాగున్నాను, which means "I am fine".
Did you know?
- When replying to ఎలా ఉన్నారు?, it is common to add మీ దయ వల్ల ('by your grace') to express that one's well-being is due to the kindness of others.
- In many parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, people often skip the formal 'how are you' and go straight to asking about your food or family to show genuine care.
- While ఎలా ఉన్నారు? is the literal translation for 'how are you?', Telugu speakers often start a conversation with ఏంటి విశేషాలు?, which literally asks 'what are the special news?'
Example conversation
Ravi and Pallavi meet at a park.
- రవి Raviహలో పల్లవి, ఎలా ఉన్నారు?Hello Pallavi, elā unnāru?Hello Pallavi, how are you?
- పల్లవి Pallaviనేను బాగున్నాను రవి, మీరు ఎలా ఉన్నారు?Nēnu bāgunnānu Ravi, mīru elā unnāru?I am fine Ravi, how are you?
- రవి Raviనేను కూడా బాగున్నాను, ధన్యవాదాలు.Nēnu kūḍā bāgunnānu, dhanyavādālu.I am also fine, thank you.
- పల్లవి Pallaviచాలా సంతోషం.Chālā santōsham.Very happy to hear that.
