చెల్లెలు
cellelu
The English phrase "younger sister" is translated into Telugu as చెల్లెలు (cellelu).
చెల్లెలు is a noun used to refer to a person who is a sister younger than oneself.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard form is చెల్లెలు.
How do you pronounce it?
cellelu
Did you know?
- In certain South Indian social contexts, calling a stranger చెల్లెలు can be a way to show friendliness or to treat them with a sense of familial familiarity, even without a blood relation.
- During the festival of Raksha Bandhan, a చెల్లెలు may tie a thread on her brother's wrist to symbolize their lifelong bond and his promise to protect her.
- The term చెల్లెలు specifically denotes the hierarchy of age. If you were to refer to an older sister, you would use a completely different word, అక్క (akka), to reflect the respect due to seniority.
Examples in context
- నా చెల్లెలు చాలా తెలివైనది.nā chellelu chālā telivainadi.My younger sister is very intelligent.
- ఆమె నా చెల్లెలు.āme nā chellelu.She is my younger sister.
- నా చెల్లెలు ఇప్పుడు చదువుతోంది.nā chellelu ippuḍu chaduvutōndī.My younger sister is studying now.
Example conversation
Ravi is introducing his family to Kavya.
- రవి Raviకావ్య, ఈమె నా చెల్లెలు.Kāvya, īme nā chellelu.Kavya, this is my younger sister.
- కావ్య Kavyaనమస్కారం, నీ చెల్లెలు చాలా బాగుంది.Namaskāraṃ, nī chellelu chālā bāgundi.Hello, your younger sister is very nice.
- రవి Raviధన్యవాదాలు కావ్య.Dhanyavādālu Kāvya.Thank you, Kavya.
- కావ్య Kavyaమీరు ఇద్దరూ చాలా పోలికగా ఉన్నారు.Mīru iddarū chālā polikagā unnāru.You both look very similar.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry చెల్లెలు, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
