Masculine Noun Endings (-du)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In Telugu, masculine nouns often end in '-du' or '-du' sounds, helping you identify human males or male-gendered entities.
- Most human masculine nouns end in '-du' (e.g., 'athadu' - he).
- Many masculine nouns derived from Sanskrit end in '-udu' (e.g., 'mitrudu' - friend).
- Non-human nouns are usually neuter, so focus on human male subjects first.
Masculine Noun Formation
| Root | Suffix | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ram
|
du
|
Ramudu
|
Rama
|
|
Mitru
|
du
|
Mitrudu
|
Friend
|
|
Nayaku
|
du
|
Nayakudu
|
Leader
|
|
Panditu
|
du
|
Panditudu
|
Scholar
|
|
Vidhyarthi
|
du
|
Vidhyarthidu
|
Student
|
|
Ath
|
adu
|
Athadu
|
He
|
Meanings
The masculine gender in Telugu is primarily used for human males and is marked by specific suffixes like '-du'.
Human Masculine
Used to denote human males.
“రాముడు (Ramudu)”
“అతడు (Athadu)”
Honorific/Formal
Used to show respect to males.
“ఆయన (Aayana)”
“గారు (Garu - suffix)”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Noun + du
|
Ramudu
|
|
Negative
|
Noun + kadu
|
Ramudu kadu
|
|
Question
|
Noun + da?
|
Ramuda?
|
|
Honorific
|
Noun + garu
|
Ramugaru
|
|
Plural
|
Noun + lu
|
Ramulu
|
|
Possessive
|
Noun + yokka
|
Ramudu yokka
|
Spectre de formalité
ఆయన నా స్నేహితుడు. (Introducing a friend)
అతడు నా స్నేహితుడు. (Introducing a friend)
వాడు నా స్నేహితుడు. (Introducing a friend)
వాడు నా దోస్తు. (Introducing a friend)
Masculine Noun Map
People
- Ramudu Rama
- Mitrudu Friend
Exemples par niveau
రాముడు వచ్చాడు
Ramudu came.
నా స్నేహితుడు బాగున్నాడు
My friend is good.
అతడు గొప్ప నాయకుడు
He is a great leader.
ప్రతి విద్యార్థిడు కష్టపడుతున్నాడు
Every student is working hard.
అతడు తన పనిని పూర్తి చేశాడు
He completed his work.
ఆయన ఒక గొప్ప పండితుడు
He is a great scholar.
Facile à confondre
Learners add -du to everything.
Erreurs courantes
Table-du
Table
Ramudu is go
Ramudu velthunnadu
Cat-du
Pilli
He-du
Athadu
Car-du
Car
Girl-du
Ame
Dog-du
Kukka
Book-du
Pustakam
Tree-du
Chettu
Sun-du
Suryudu
Moon-du
Chandrudu
Wind-du
Gali
Water-du
Neeru
Structures de phrases
___ నా స్నేహితుడు.
Real World Usage
Ramudu వచ్చాడు.
Focus on Humans
Smart Tips
Always add -du.
Prononciation
The -du sound
The 'd' is dental, touch your teeth with your tongue.
Statement
Ramudu వచ్చాడు ↓
Falling intonation for facts.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Remember the 'DU' in 'DUde' for masculine nouns.
Association visuelle
Imagine a man wearing a hat with the letters 'D' and 'U' on it.
Rhyme
When you see the 'du' at the end, it's a man, my friend!
Story
Ramudu is a friend. He is a leader. He is a scholar. All end in -du.
Word Web
Défi
Find 5 male names and add -du to them.
Notes culturelles
Using -du is standard, but adding -garu is essential for respect.
Dravidian roots.
Amorces de conversation
అతడు ఎవరు?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Ram___
Score: /1
Exercices pratiques
1 exercisesRam___
Score: /1
FAQ (1)
No, only human males.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
El/La
Telugu is animacy-based.
