తల్లి
talli/t̪alːi/
The English word "mother" is translated into Telugu as తల్లి (talli) or అమ్మ.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Telugu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| తల్లి | talli | /t̪alːi/ |
| అమ్మ | amma | /amːa/ |
Both words refer to a female human who gives birth to or parents a child.
Which one should you use?
అమ్మ is the more common and affectionate way to address or refer to a mother, similar to how English speakers use "mom" or "mama". In contrast, తల్లి is used in more formal, literary or biological contexts, similar to the English word "mother".
How do you pronounce it?
talli (/t̪alːi/)
When do people say it?
Because of its formal and respectful nature, తల్లి is frequently used in the names of goddesses or in poetic personifications, such as when referring to Mother Nature.
Did you know?
- In many Telugu-speaking regions, the term 'Amma' is used as a respectful honorific for women in public, such as female shopkeepers or taxi drivers, even if they are not your mother.
- While అమ్మ is a term of endearment for one's own mother, in many Telugu households, young children use it as a generic exclamation of surprise or pain, much like saying 'oh boy' or 'oh mama' in English.
- In some traditional Telugu households, a daughter-in-law may address her mother-in-law as అత్తమ్మ, which blends the word for 'aunt' with the affectionate అమ్మ.
Examples in context
- తనయుని పుట్టుక తల్లి యెరుగునుThe mother knows the birth of the son.This sentence shows how to use తల్లి to describe a mother knowing her son's birth.
- తల్లి ప్రేమ చాలా గొప్పది.talli prema chaala goppadi.A mother's love is very great.
- ఆమె ఒక మంచి తల్లి.aame oka manchi talli.She is a good mother.
Example conversation
Sai is asking Lakshmi about her family photo.
- సాయి Saiఈ ఫోటోలో మీ తల్లి గారు ఉన్నారా?Ī phōṭōlō mī talli gāru unnārā?Is your mother in this photo?
- లక్ష్మి Lakshmiఅవును, ఇది మా తల్లి ఫోటో.Avunu, idi mā talli phōṭō.Yes, this is my mother's photo.
- సాయి Saiఆమె చాలా అందంగా ఉన్నారు.Āme chālā andangā unnāru.She looks very beautiful.
- లక్ష్మి Lakshmiధన్యవాదాలు సాయి.Dhanyavādālu Sāyi.Thank you, Sai.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries తల్లి, అమ్మ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
