మేము
mēmu/meːmu/
The English word 'we' is translated into Telugu as మేము (mēmu).
మేము is used to refer to a group of people that includes the speaker and at least one other person.
Meaning: generic we (the speaker and at least one other person, regardless of whether it's the person being addressed) (pron)
Which one should you use?
Telugu distinguishes between two types of 'we'. Use మేము (mēmu) when you are speaking about a group that specifically excludes the person you are talking to. If you wish to include the listener in your group, use మనము (manamū) instead.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /meːmu/.
Did you know?
- While మేము refers to a group, Telugu often allows speakers to omit the pronoun entirely if the verb ending already indicates a plural subject.
- The word మేము is a direct descendant of the Proto-Dravidian form *yĀm, which has been used to denote a collective group for thousands of years.
- Telugu writers may use the plural 'we' in a 'royal' or 'editorial' sense to represent a single person of authority, similar to the English 'royal we'.
Examples in context
- మేము అది కావాలని చేశాంWe did that deliberately.This sentence shows how to use మేము to express a deliberate action.Tatoeba #7216975 by bharath, translation #6958606 by CK
- మేము రోజుల తరబడి నిద్రపోలేదుWe haven't slept in days.This sentence uses మేము to describe a state of not having slept.Tatoeba #7207611 by bharath, translation #7114638 by CK
- మేము నిన్న బాస్కెట్ బాల్ ఆడాముWe played basketball yesterday.This sentence uses మేము to describe a past activity.Tatoeba #7210876 by bharath, translation #248740 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Pallavi and Ravi are talking about their travel plans.
- పల్లవి Pallaviమేము రేపు ఊరికి వెళ్తున్నాము.Mēmu rēpu ūriki veḷtunnāmu.We are going to the village tomorrow.
- రవి Raviమీరు ఎప్పుడు తిరిగి వస్తారు?Mīru eppuḍu tirigi vastāru?When will you come back?
- పల్లవి Pallaviమేము వచ్చే ఆదివారం వస్తాము.Mēmu vaccē ādivāram vastāmu.We will come next Sunday.
- రవి Raviసరే, జాగ్రత్తగా వెళ్ళండి.Sarē, jāgrattagā veḷḷaṇḍi.Okay, go safely.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry మేము, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries మేము, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
