కాదు
kādu
The English word "no" is expressed in Telugu. The default form is కాదు (kādu). Wiktionary also lists లేదు (lēdu).
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Ways to say it
| Telugu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| కాదు | kādu | |
| లేదు | lēdu | /leːd̪u/ |
In Telugu, how you say "no" depends entirely on what you are negating. You can negate an identity or a state, the existence or presence of something or a desire to have something.
Which one should you use?
Use కాదు to negate a noun or an identity, such as saying "It is not a book". Use లేదు to negate the existence or presence of something, such as saying "It is not there" or "There is no money". Additionally, the related forms లేదు and లేవు can function as determiners meaning "not any".
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kādu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use కాదు when they mean "there is no". In Telugu, when you want to express that something does not exist, you must use లేదు instead.
Did you know?
- In Telugu culture, saying కాదు or లేదు directly can sometimes be perceived as too blunt. People often use a slight head tilt or a soft 'hmm' to signal negation more politely.
- The word కాదు shares a linguistic ancestor with the Tamil word ஆகாது. This highlights the deep historical and structural connections between the Dravidian language families of South India.
- The word లేదు does not just mean 'no' or 'not there' but also serves as the standard way to say 'I do not have'.
Examples in context
- భయపడాల్సిన కారణం ఏమీ లేదు.There's no reason to be afraid.The sentence using లేదు shows how to express that there is no reason for an action.Tatoeba #4642365 by bharath, translation #3030776 by Hybrid
- నువ్వు సిగ్గు పడాల్సిన అవసరం లేదుYou have no need to be ashamed.This sentence uses లేదు to state that there is no need for something.Tatoeba #7204881 by bharath, translation #24804 by CK
- దీనిలో చిక్కుకుపోవాలని ఏమాత్రము లేదు.There's no way I want to get involved in this.The sentence uses లేదు to express the absence of a desire or a way to do something.Tatoeba #13350973 by AlphaSteppeNomad, translation #9747893 by CK
Example conversation
Venkata is asking Laxmi if the food is spicy.
- వెంకట్ Venkatలక్ష్మి, ఈ కూర కారంగా ఉందా?Laxmi, ee koora kaaranga undaa?Laxmi, is this curry spicy?
- లక్ష్మి Lakshmiకాదు, ఇది చాలా రుచిగా ఉంది.Kaadu, idi chaala ruchigaa undi.No, it is very tasty.
- వెంకట్ Venkatఅయితే ఇంకా వడ్డించమంటావా?Aithe inkaa vaddinchamantavaa?Then, do you want me to serve more?
- లక్ష్మి Lakshmiఅవును, దయచేసి వడ్డించండి.Avunu, dayachesi vaddinchandi.Yes, please serve more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries కాదు, లేదు, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries కాదు, లేదు, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
