ఒకటి
okaṭi/okaʈi/
The English word 'one' is ఒకటి (okaṭi) in Telugu. Wiktionary also lists ఒండు (oṇḍu).
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
Ways to say it
| Telugu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ఒకటి | okaṭi | /okaʈi/ | |
| ఒండు | oṇḍu | /oɳɖu/ | literary |
ఒకటి is the cardinal number 1. It is used as a noun or a pronoun when referring to the number itself or 'one thing'.
Which one should you use?
ఒకటి is the standard form for the cardinal number, while ఒండు is a literary variant. Additionally, the form ఒక is used as an adjective or determiner before a noun, such as in 'ఒక వ్యక్తి' (one person).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ఒకటి is the standard form used in everyday speech. In contrast, ఒండు is a literary or formal variant. For informal speech, you may also encounter oka or okka.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ఒకటి functions as a noun or a pronoun when referring to the number itself or 'one thing'. When you need to use 'one' as an adjective or determiner before a noun, you should use the form ఒక.
How do you pronounce it?
okaṭi (/okaʈi/)
Did you know?
- The Telugu word ఒకటి is derived from a root meaning 'to be united', reflecting an ancient linguistic link between the concept of 'one' and the act of joining together.
- Telugu speakers use different variants of 'one' like ఒక్క to add emphasis or specify 'only one' in a way that goes beyond simple counting.
- The word ఒండు is not just a random variant, but is an inherited form from Old Telugu.
Examples in context
- తన దగ్గర రెండు పెన్సిళ్ళు వున్నాయి. ఒకటి పొడుగు ఇంకోటి పొట్టిHe has two pencils. One is long and the other one is short.This sentence uses ఒకటి to distinguish between two items.Tatoeba #7204237 by bharath, translation #1500466 by CK
- నేను చెప్పినది ఒకటి వాడు చేసినది ఒకటి.I told him one thing and he did another.This sentence uses ఒకటి to refer to things mentioned.
- ఒకటి, రెండు, ముడు, నాలుగు, ఐదు, ఆరు, ఏడు, ఎనిమిది, తొమ్మిదు, పది.One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.This sentence uses ఒకటి as the first number in a counting sequence.Tatoeba #1166006 by cntrational, translation #413731 by FeuDRenais
Example conversation
Ravi and Shravani are sharing some sweets.
- రవి Raviనాకు ఒకటి ఇవ్వండి.nāku okaṭi ivvaṇḍi.Give me one.
- శ్రావణి Sravaniఇదిగోండి, ఒకటి తీసుకోండి.idigōṇḍi, okaṭi tīsukōṇḍi.Here it is, take one.
- రవి Raviనాకు ఇంకొకటి కావాలి.nāku inkokaṭi kāvāli.I want one more.
- శ్రావణి Sravaniసరే, ఒకటి తీసుకోండి.sarē, okaṭi tīsukōṇḍi.Okay, take one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries ఒకటి, ఒండు, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ఒండు, ఒకటి, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
