In the context of Kannada Language, Kannada slang words play a massive role!
Regardless of the language, knowing the slang words is a skill you wanna have in your armory so that you can have better conversations with the locals. Hence, if you are in Karnataka, there are certain must-know Kannada slang words used specifically for casual conversations.
Bangalore Kannada is one of the dialects of the Kannada language used in the capital city of the Indian State of Karnataka – Bangalore. Kannada slang words are extremely popular here as the young native speakers use numerous slang words for everyday conversations.
Want to explore some Kannada slang words and enhance your Kannada language skills? This blog post will help you master all the slang terms in Kannada!
Table Of Contents
Popular Kannada Slang Words
In Karnataka, apart from Kannada, languages like Tulu, Konkani, and Kodava are widely spoken in specific regions. However, Kannada still remains the official language. Hence, it is expected that every person living in the state knows the state language as well. Regardless of the language you speak, there are always gonna be some commonly used slang words that bind each and every language!
The younger generation in India is constantly evolving. Likewise, in a city like Bengaluru, being the border region, there is an influence of a little bit of Tamil and Telugu when it comes to slang words.
Specific Kannada words however became slang and are used to address your closest people. Few words can be used among friends and some can also be used to express your emotions. Lets pick the popular ones among them!
Slang Words To Address Your Closest Friends
Below are the slang words to address your closest friends:
| English | Kannada | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Guru | ಗುರು | Guru |
| Brother | ಶಿಷ್ಯ | Sisya |
| Little Bro | ಮಗಾ | Maga |
| Dude | ಮಚ್ಚಾ | Macha |
| Dude | ಮಾಮ್ಸ್ | Maams |
| Dude | ದೇವ್ರೂ | Devru |
| Person whom you see once in a while | ಭಯ್ಯ/ಭಾಯ್ | Bhayya/Bhai |
| Big Brother | ಅಣ್ಣ್ತಮ್ಮಾ | Annthamma |
| Highness (jokingly) | ಮಹಾಪ್ರಭು | Mahaprabhu |
Other Common Slang Words
Other slang words can be used in daily conversations referring to a person or in any situation. Use the below Kannada slang words by blending them into your conversations:
| English | Kannada | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Awesome | ಬೊಂಬಾಟ್ | Bombat |
| Incredible | ಸಕ್ಕತ್ | Sakkath |
| Amazing | ಚಿಂದಿ | Chindi |
| Fiery | ಬೆಂಕಿ | Benki |
| First sale of the day | ಬೋಣಿ | Boni |
| Useless | ತುಕಾಲಿ | Thukaali |
| Useless | ಡಬ್ಬ | Dabba |
| Useless | ಕಚಡಾ | Kachda |
| Scared someone funnily | ಚಮಕ್ | Chamak |
| Slang for alcohol | ಎಣ್ಣೆ | Enne |
| Get lost | ಕಳಚ್ಕೊ | Kalchko |
| Bad/Aggressive Attitude | ಗಾಂಚಲೀ | Gaanchali |
| Bad/Aggressive Attitude | ತಿಮಿರು | Thimiru |
| A lot | ಬೇಜಾನ್ | Bejaan |
| Buttering | ಬೆಣ್ಣೆ ಹಚ್ಚು | Benne hacchu |
| Definitely | ಪಕ್ಕಾ | Pakka |
| Fame | ಹವಾ | Hawa |
| Keep | ಮಡಗು | Madgu |
| Hangout place | ಅಡ್ಡ | Adda |
| Too boring | ಪಿಟೀಲು ಕುಯ್ಯಿ | Piteel kuyi |
| Beat up | ವಾಂಚು | Vaanchu |
| Free | ಓಸೀ | Oosi |
| Stare | ಗುರಾಯಿಸು | Guraisu |
| Slang for someone dead | ಹೊಗೆ | Hoge |
| Steal | ದೇಪು | Dhepu |
| Enter | ಅಟಕಾಯಿಸು | Attkaaisu |
| Fight | ಕಿರಿಕ್ | Kirik |
| Don | ಪುಡಾಂಗ್ | Pudang |
| Oh god | ಅಯ್ಯೋ | Ayyo |
| Hey (informal) | ಲೇ | Ley |
| Havoc | ಚಿತ್ತಾಲ್ ಪತ್ತಾಲ್ | Chitthal Patthal |
Popular Slang Phrases In Kanglish
Wondering what Kanglish (ಕಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್) is?
Simple: Kannada + English = Kanglish (ಕಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್)
This term is widely used across Karnataka as some English words have been blended into Kannada by default. They have become popular Kanglish (ಕಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್) phrases in Kannada!
Based on such words, refer to these popular Kannada slang words and phrases that can be used as sentences:
| English | Kannada | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Asking someone to not do too much | ಓವರ್ ಆಗ್ ಮಾಡ್ಬೇಡ | Over aag maadbeda |
| Asking someone if they are brave | ಮೀಟರ್ ಇದ್ಯಾ? | Meter idya? |
| Are you a Punter? | ಪಂಟರಾ ನೀನು? | Punter ah ninu? |
| Have the enjoyment | ಎಂಜಾಯ್ ಮಾಡಿ | Enjoy maadi |
| Hey bro, all okay? | ಏನ್ ಬ್ರೋ ಆರಾಮಾ? | En bro aaraama? |
| What boss? | ಏನ್ ಬಾಸ್? | En boss? |
| The guy died (Smoke = Death) | ಸ್ಮೋಕ್ ಹಾಕೊಂಡ | Smoke haakkonda |
| Don’t psych my mind | ಸೈಕ್ ಮಾಡ್ಬೇಡ | Sikee maadbeda |
| Just chill | ಚಿಲ್ ಮಾಡು | Chill maadu |
| The drama happened | ಸೀನ್ ಆಯ್ತು | Scene aaytu |
| Do you need so much hype? | ಇಷ್ಟೋಂದು ಬಿಲ್ಡಪ್ ಬೇಕಾ? | Ishtond Buildup beka? |
How To Use Kannada Slang Words And Phrases
If you have ever traveled in Bengaluru, from an auto driver to a bus conductor, if you observe, the way they all speak Kannada itself is in the manner of slang. That is the influence of Kannada slang words among the common people in Karnataka!
However, the above slang terms are largely reserved for the areas in Bengaluru. Therefore, not every term might be used across the state. The native speakers of Karnataka, however, are not familiar with slang terms. It was after the evolution of Kannada movies, Kannada slang words gained a massive fan following. If you come across the streets of Bengaluru, you will notice the influence of slang words among today’s young generation!
En guru En samachara? (ಏನ್ ಗುರು? ಏನ್ ಸಮಾಚಾರ?) is probably the most popular Kannada line you will ever come across. This means “Hi dude, what’s up?” in English. The Kanglish (ಕಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್) phrases, too, are equally popular!
By all means, refrain from using Kannada slang words, especially in the workplace. Referring to all the above-mentioned slang words, note that they are used only with your closest people in the most informal and jovial conversations!
Blend them accordingly. With families, however, it depends on the dynamics you share with the people of your age group within the family. The aged people in the house probably will not even understand what these Kannada slang words mean!
How Do You Say “Slang” In Kannada?
“Slang” in Kannada is Graamya (ಗ್ರಾಮ್ಯ).
Tips For Using Kannada Slang Words
- To build a connection with a fellow Kannadiga, slang terms play a vital role. Hence, try blending these Kannada slang words as much as possible in your everyday conversations.
- Note that slang words differ as dialects of Kannada change. Not every slang word can be used all across the state.
- You can literally blend any English word into a Kannada sentence and make your own Kanglish (ಕಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್) phrase!
- Slang words are cool and trendy. Stay updated and follow the current gen!
- Refer to our blog post about basic words in Kannada. It comes in handy if you are traveling to Karnataka!
- It’s also a good idea to master the Kannada alphabet, especially if you’ll be texting or using social media.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kannada Slang Words
1. What Is The Kannada Slang For Dude?
In Kannada, the popular slang word used to say ‘dude’ is Maga (ಮಗಾ). You can also use Macha (ಮಚ್ಚಾ), Guru (ಗುರೂ), and bro as well.
2. What Are Some Common Kannada Slang Words?
Some common Kannada slang words used on an everyday basis are:
- Bombat (ಬೊಂಬಾಟ್) – Awesome
- Sakkath (ಸಖತ್) – Awesome
- Benki (ಬೆಂಕಿ) – Fiery
- Chindi (ಚಿಂದಿ) – Incredible
- Maga (ಮಗಾ) – Dude
- Guru (ಗುರೂ) – Dude
3. What Is The Meaning Of Baddimaga?
Baddimaga (ಬಡ್ಡಿ ಮಗ) can be used to refer your friend. It is a slang word that means ‘Idiot’ in Kannada. However, never use it to anyone with whom you are not so close!
Final Thoughts
To sum up, knowing slang terms in any language makes you feel local and rooted and helps in improving communication with everyone around you! I am sure learning about Kannada slang words must have pumped you up to use them! Such is the effect of those terms.
Get closer to the locals in Kannada style!
Learn More About The Kannada Language!
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