50 Basic Kannada Words To Make Your Life Easier

Moving to Bangalore for a new job or higher studies can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it can also be a bit daunting, especially if you’re not familiar with the local language, Kannada. While Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city where many people speak English, knowing a few basic Kannada words can make a huge difference in your day-to-day interactions and help you navigate the city with ease.

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When you first arrive, you might find it challenging to ask for directions, understand local customs, or even engage in simple conversations. You might struggle at local markets, in auto-rickshaws, or when trying to make new friends. These language barriers can make daily tasks frustrating and can sometimes leave you feeling isolated or misunderstood.

To ease these challenges, learning some basic Kannada words and phrases can be incredibly beneficial.

Here are 50 Essential Kannada words and phrases to get you started

Greetings and Basic Interactions In Kannada

1. Namaskara (Hello)
   • Usage: General greeting.
   • Example: “Namaskara!” (Hello!)
2. Hegiddera (How are you?)
   • Usage: To greet someone and ask about their well-being.
   • Example: “Hegiddera?” (How are you?)
3. Channagidini (I’m fine)
   • Usage: Response to “How are you?”
   • Example: “Channagidini” (I’m fine).
4. Shubhodaya (Good morning)
   • Usage: To greet someone in the morning.
   • Example: “Shubhodaya!” (Good morning!)
5. Shubha Dinagavali (Have a good day)
   • Usage: To wish someone a good day.
   • Example: “Shubha Dinagavali!” (Have a good day!)
6. Shubha Rathri (Good night)
   • Usage: To wish someone good night.
   • Example: “Shubha Rathri!” (Good night!)
7. Shubhashaya (Congratulations)
   • Usage: To congratulate someone.
   • Example: “Shubhashaya!” (Congratulations!)

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Kannada Words & Phrases for Common Questions

8. Yelli (Where)
   • Usage: To ask for directions.
   • Example: “Yelli?” (Where?)
9. Yen (What)
   • Usage: To ask what something is.
   • Example: “Yen?” (What?)
10. Yaake (Why)
    • Usage: To ask why.
    • Example: “Yaake?” (Why?)
11. Yaaru (Who)
    • Usage: To ask who someone is.
    • Example: “Yaaru?” (Who?)
12. Yeshtu (How much)
    • Usage: To ask about quantity or price.
    • Example: “Yeshtu?” (How much?)
13. Hege (How)
    • Usage: To ask how something is done.
    • Example: “Hege?” (How?)
14. Naale (Tomorrow)
    • Usage: To refer to the next day.
    • Example: “Naale?” (Tomorrow?)
15. Ninna hesarenu? (What is your name?)
    • Usage: To ask someone’s name.
    • Example: “Ninna hesarenu?” (What is your name?)
16. Kannada Gottilla (I don’t understand Kannada)
    • Usage: To express language difficulty.
    • Example: “Kannada Gottilla” (I don’t understand Kannada).
17. Eevu Inglish mathanadutthida? (Do you speak English?)
    • Usage: To ask if someone speaks English.
    • Example: “Eevu Inglish mathanadutthida?” (Do you speak English?)

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Kannada Words & Phrases for Daily Activities

18. Hogu (Go)
    • Usage: To ask someone to go or leave.
    • Example: “Hogu!” (Go!)
19. Banni (Come)
    • Usage: To invite someone to come.
    • Example: “Banni!” (Come!)
20. Kelsa (Work)
    • Usage: To refer to work.
    • Example: “Kelsa mugitha?” (Is the work done?)
21. Naanu (Me)
    • Usage: To refer to oneself.
    • Example: “Naanu hogthini” (I will go).
22. Ninna (Your)
    • Usage: To refer to someone’s belonging.
    • Example: “Ninna bagu illi ide” (Your bag is here).
23. Nillu (Stop)
    • Usage: To ask someone to stop.
    • Example: “Nillu!” (Stop!)
24. Hidi (Hold)
    • Usage: To ask someone to hold something.
    • Example: “Hidi nanna hannu” (Hold my bag).
25. Kode (Umbrella)
    • Usage: To refer to an umbrella.
    • Example: “Kode togolli” (Take the umbrella).
26. Neeru (Water)
    • Usage: To refer to water.
    • Example: “Neeru kodi” (Give me water).
27. Oota (Food)
    • Usage: To refer to food or a meal.
    • Example: “Oota aayitha?” (Had food?)
28. Oota aayitha? (Had food?)
    • Usage: To ask if someone has eaten.
    • Example: “Oota aayitha?” (Had food?)
29. Mane (Home)
    • Usage: To refer to home.
    • Example: “Manege hogona” (Let’s go home).
30. Koli mari (Chicken)
    • Usage: To refer to chicken.
    • Example: “Koli mari beku” (I want chicken).

Kannada Words & Phrases for Directions & Locations

31. Yelli (Where)
    • Usage: To ask for directions.
    • Example: “Yelli hogi?” (Where are you going?)
32. Illi (Here)
    • Usage: To indicate a place.
    • Example: “Illi bantu” (Come here).
33. Alli (There)
    • Usage: To indicate a place.
    • Example: “Alli hogi” (Go there).
34. Vilaasa (Address)
    • Usage: To ask for or refer to an address.
    • Example: “Vilaasa yelli ide?” (Where is the address?)

Numbers and Quantities in Kannada Words

35. Jaasti (More)
    • Usage: To ask for more.
    • Example: “Jaasti beku” (I want more).
36. Ondu (One)
    • Usage: To refer to one item.
    • Example: “Ondu coffee” (One coffee).
37. Eradu (Two)
    • Usage: To refer to two items.
    • Example: “Eradu coffee” (Two coffees).
38. Moovu (Three)
    • Usage: To refer to three items.
    • Example: “Moovu coffee” (Three coffees).
39. Yeshtu (How much)
    • Usage: To ask about quantity or price.
    • Example: “Yeshtu?” (How much?)
40. Hathu (Ten)
    • Usage: To refer to ten items.
    • Example: “Hathu bananas” (Ten bananas).

Common Phrases in Kannada

41. Yen Guru Yen Samachar? (Hey bro, what’s up?)
    • Usage: Informal greeting.
    • Example: “Yen Guru Yen Samachar?” (Hey bro, what’s up?)
42. Naale barthini (I will come tomorrow)
    • Usage: To indicate plans for the next day.
    • Example: “Naale barthini” (I will come tomorrow).
43. Nillu (Stop)
    • Usage: To ask someone to stop.
    • Example: “Nillu!” (Stop!)
44. Sari (Okay)
    • Usage: To agree or acknowledge.
    • Example: “Sari, hogona” (Okay, let’s go).
45. Keli (Listen)
    • Usage: To draw attention.
    • Example: “Keli” (Listen).
46. Mathadidini (I spoke)
    • Usage: To refer to a past conversation.
    • Example: “Ninna jothe mathadidini” (I spoke with you).
47. Beka? (Do you want?)
    • Usage: To ask if someone wants something.
    • Example: “Neeru beka?” (Do you want water?)
48. Nillisi (Stop)
    • Usage: To ask someone to halt.
    • Example: “Bus nillisi” (Stop the bus).
49. Sari (Correct/Okay)
    • Usage: To confirm something.
    • Example: “Sari idu” (This is correct).
50. Nodu (Look)
    • Usage: To draw attention to something.
    • Example: “Nodu alli” (Look there).

By learning these words and phrases, you can start to feel more comfortable and confident in your new environment. Practice them regularly, and soon you’ll find yourself able to handle everyday conversations and tasks with ease.