ప్రేమ
prēma/pɾeːma/
The English word love is translated into Telugu as ప్రేమ (prēma).
ప్రేమ is used to convey deep and sincere affection or love towards someone.
Meaning: strong affection (noun)
Which one should you use?
ప్రేమ is primarily used as a noun meaning 'love', whereas ప్రేమించు is the corresponding verb used to express the action of loving.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ప్రేమ is a formal and standard term used in literature, songs and polite conversation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ప్రేమించు is the base form used to express the action of loving. To express the act of loving as a concept or subject, you can use the verbal noun form ప్రేమించుట.
How do you pronounce it?
prēma
Did you know?
- To describe a 'lovestruck' person, Telugu uses a phrase involving the word పిచ్చి meaning 'madness', suggesting that ప్రేమ is a form of divine insanity.
- Because ప్రేమ is a Sanskrit-derived word, it is recognized across many different South Indian languages, allowing a Telugu speaker to be understood in a romantic context in languages like Kannada or Malayalam.
- In casual Telugu conversation, when expressing that one 'loves' a hobby or a food, people often bypass ప్రేమ and use ఇష్టం (iṣṭam), which more closely translates to 'liking' or 'preference'.
Examples in context
- అతని మీద ప్రేమ చాలా ఎక్కువ.atani meeda prema chaala ekkuva.His love is very great.
- అమ్మ ప్రేమ వెలకట్టలేనిది.amma prema velakattalenidi.Mother's love is priceless.
- వారి మధ్య ప్రేమ కనిపిస్తోంది.vaari madhya prema kanipistondi.Love is visible between them.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie they just watched.
- పల్లవి Pallaviఆ సినిమాలో ప్రేమ చాలా అందంగా ఉంది.aa cinemalo prema chaala andangaa undi.The love in that movie is very beautiful.
- రవి Raviఅవును పల్లవి, అది చాలా బాగుంది.avunu Pallavi, adi chaala baagundi.Yes Pallavi, it was very good.
- పల్లవి Pallaviరవి, నీకు అలాంటి కథలు ఇష్టమా?Ravi, neeku alanti kathalu ishtama?Ravi, do you like such stories?
- రవి Raviఅవును, నాకు అలాంటి ప్రేమ కథలు ఇష్టం.avunu, naaku alanti prema kathalu ishtam.Yes, I like such love stories.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “love” translations and entries ప్రేమ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
