డబ్బు
ḍabbu
The Telugu word for money is డబ్బు (ḍabbu).
Meaning: currency (noun)
Which one should you use?
డబ్బు is a common, everyday term. In contrast, more formal or technical terms such as ధనం are used in literary or financial contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
ḍabbu
Did you know?
- The common word డబ్బు is actually derived from the word dabba, which means 'box' or 'container' in several Indian languages. It likely referred to the boxes used to store coins.
- Because of the region's deep agrarian roots, some Telugu dialects use metaphors involving 'grains' or 'gold' to discuss money instead of using the word for currency directly.
- The literary word ధనం is frequently used as a component of Indian names to symbolize wealth and prosperity.
Examples in context
- ఏం చెయ్యాలన్నా మనకి డబ్బులు కావాలిWe need money to do anything.This sentence shows how to express the need for డబ్బు to perform any action.Tatoeba #7204248 by bharath, translation #24729 by CK
- డబ్బు ఉందా లేదా?Do you have money or not?This sentence is useful for asking whether someone possesses డబ్బు.
- ఇంకా అన్నం మిగిలలేదు, వెళ్లి డబ్బు తీసుకోండి.I don't have any food left. Go and get some money.
- నా దగ్గర ఇప్పుడు డబ్బు లేదు.nā daggara ippuḍu ḍabbu lēdu.I don't have money right now.
Example conversation
Ravi and Shravani are planning to buy a gift.
- రవి Raviఈ బొమ్మ ధర ఎంత?Ee bomma dhara enta?How much is this doll?
- శ్రావణి Sravaniదీనికి ఐదు వందల రూపాయలు కావాలి.Deeniki aidu vandala rupaayalu kaavali.It costs five hundred rupees.
- రవి Raviనా దగ్గర తగినంత డబ్బు లేదు.Naa daggara taginanta dabbu ledu.I don't have enough money.
- శ్రావణి Sravaniపర్వాలేదు, నేను ఇస్తాను.Parvaledu, nenu istaanu.It's okay, I will pay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “money” translations and entries డబ్బు, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
