Telugu Lesson: Usage of ‘Ku’ (కు) / ‘Ki’ (కి) suffix in Telugu

 Today you will learn about the usage of ‘కు’ (Ku) / ‘కి’ (Ki) suffix in Telugu.

In Telugu, you will have to add ‘Ki’ or ‘కు’ (Ku)as a suffix to the noun in the subject.

Most of the expressions which use the nominative case in English need to use a dative case in Telugu. For example, I am thirsty – Naakudhaahangaavundhi. (నాకు దాహంగా ఉంది.) Here “I am” in Telugu became ‘Naaku.’

Both ‘కు’ (Ku)or ‘కి’ (Ki)are interchangeable forms. 

Here are the Dative case forms for all persons:

·         Nenu(నేను) + ku(కు) = Naaku(నాకు) – I am / me

·         Maemu(మేము) + ku(కు) = Maaku(మాకు) – We / us

·         Manamu (మనము) + ku(కు) = Manaku(మనకు) – We / us

·         Manamu (మనము) + ki (కి) = Manaki (మనకి) – We / us

Note: When the dative case is used in the subject, then it is used as ‘I am.’If it is used in an object, it is used as ‘me.’The same will be applicable for plural as well.

·         Neevu(నీవు) + ku(కు) = Neeku(నీకు) – you

·         Meeru(మీరు) + ku(కు) = Meeku(మీకు) – you

·         Athadu (అతడు) / Ithadu(ఇతడు) + ki (కి) = Athadiki(అతడికి) / Ithadiki(ఇతడికి) – him

·         Vaadu(వాడు) / Veedu(వీడు) + ki (కి) = Vaadiki(వాడికి) / Veediki(వీడికి) – him

·         Aayana (ఆయన) / Eeyana(ఈయన) + ki (కి) = Aayanaki(ఆయనకి) / Eeyanaki(ఈయనకి) – him

·         Aayana(ఆయన) / Eeyana(ఈయన) + ku(కు) = Aayanaku(ఆయనకు) / Eeyanaku(ఈయనకు) – him

·         Aame(ఆమె) / Eeme(ఈమె) + ki (కి) = Aameki(ఆమెకి) / Eemeki(ఈమెకి) – her

·         Aame(ఆమె) / Eeme (ఈమె) + ku(కు) = Aameku(ఆమెకు) / Eemeku(ఈమెకు) – her

·         Aavida(ఆవిడ)/ Eevida(ఈవిడ) + ki (కి)   = Aavidaki(ఆవిడకి) / Eevidaki(ఈవిడకి) – her

·         Aavida (ఆవిడ) / Eevida(ఈవిడ) + ku(కు) = Aavidaku(ఆవిడకు) / Eevidaku(ఈవిడకు) – her

·         Adhi (అది) / Idhi(ఇది) + ki (కి) = Dhaaniki(దానికి) / Dheeniki(దీనికి) – her / it

·         Vaaru(వారు) / Veeru(వీరు) + ki (కి) = Vaariki(వారికి) / Veeriki(వీరికి) – them

·         Vaallu(వాళ్ళు) / Veellu(వీళ్ళు) + ki (కి) = Vaallaki(వాళ్ళకి) / Veellaki(వీళ్ళకి) – them

·         Vaallu(వాళ్ళు) / Veellu(వీళ్ళు) + ku(కు) = Vaallaku(వాళ్ళకు) / Veellaku(వీళ్ళకు) – them

·         Avi(అవి) / Ivi(ఇవి) + ki (కి) = Vaatiki(వాటికి) / Veetiki(వీటికి) – them

Some rules for using ‘Ku’ / ‘Ki’ suffix in Telugu.

·         The rules are the same as for ‘ను’ (nu) and ‘ని’ (ni).

·         Both first person and second person only use ‘కు’ (Ku)but not ‘కి’ (Ki).

·         Except for ‘aayana’ the respect form of ‘he’ ‘కి’ (Ki)is used. Both ‘కి’ (Ki)and ‘కు’ (Ku)are used for ‘aayana.’

·         All forms of ‘she’ use both ‘కి’ (Ki)and ‘కు’ (Ku).

·         The third-person singular form of ‘it’ only follows ‘కి’ (Ki)but not ‘కు’ (Ku).

·         All plural forms of ‘they’ follow ‘కి’ (Ki).

Only ‘Vaallu/ Veellu’ form use both ‘కి’ (Ki)and ‘కు’ (Ku)