Namaste! Hegiddira? Oh, did I just confuse you a bit? Well, that means “Hello! How are you?” in Kannada! And those are the two basic Kannada words especially a very common greeting you are expected to know if you are in the Southern State of Karnataka!
Known for its hospitality and cultural significance, the vibrant state of Karnataka has attracted a lot of tourists in recent years. Hence, knowing some basic Kannada words will give you a significant advantage while dealing with the locals.
This article will guide you in learning simple Kannada words and phrases which are used on a regular basis in Kannada towns.
Table Of Contents
Some Basic Kannada Words
With around 59 million speakers globally, Kannada has stamped its mark among the top-speaking Indian languages. Hence, learning to speak in Kannada has to either begin with watching Kannada movies or interacting with the locals in the local language.
For that to happen, you need to know some basic Kannada phrases. Learning Kannada words like Howdu (ಹೌದು) for ‘yes’ and Illa (ಇಲ್ಲ), which means “No” are simply a no brainer because they are so important on a daily basis.
Also, knowing some Kannada common words and phrases not only makes communication within the state easier, but it will also helps you earn a lot of praise from the people. An earnest effort made to speak in Kannada is valued more than anything here! Therefore, the initial step in learning and understanding Kannada in its non grammatical sense is to focus on these basic words.
A few basic Kannada words and phrases that you should get familiar with are:
| English | Kannada | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ/ ನಮಸ್ತೆ | Namaskara/Namaste |
| How are you? | ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರ? | Hegiddira? |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು | Dhanyavadagalu |
| Where? | ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ | Yellige? |
| When? | ಯಾವಾಗ | Yavga? |
| What? | ಏನು? | Yenu? |
| Why? | ಯಾಕೆ? | Yake? |
| Who? | ಯಾರು | Yaaru? |
| Come | ಬನ್ನಿ | Banni |
| Go | ಹೋಗಿ | Hogi |
| Stop | ನಿಲ್ಲಿ | Nilli |
| Lets Go | ಬನ್ನಿ ಹೋಗೋಣ | Banni Hogana |
| Take | ತಗೋಳಿ | Thagoli |
| Today | ಇವತ್ತು | Ivattu |
| Tomorrow | ನಾಳೆ | Naale |
| Day After Tomorrow | ನಾಡಿದ್ದು | Naadiddu |
| Yesterday | ನಿನ್ನೆ | Ninne |
| Morning | ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ | Belagge |
| Afternoon | ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ | Madhyana |
| Evening | ಸಂಜೆ | Sanje |
| Night | ರಾತ್ರಿ | Raathri |
| Midnight | ಮಧ್ಯರಾತ್ರಿ | Madhya raathri |
| Sleep | ಮಲಗು | Malagu |
| Food | ಆಹಾರ | Aahara |
| Drink | ಕುಡಿ | Kudi |
| Slow | ನಿಧಾನ | Nidhaana |
| Fast | ಬೇಗ | Bega |
| Listen | ಕೇಳಿ | Keli |
| Speak | ಹೇಳಿ | Heli |
| Enough | ಸಾಕು | Saaku |
| Work | ಕೆಲಸ | Kelasa |
Always refer to the above table and try to memorize these basic Kannada words as it will be of use during your stay in Karnataka!
Common Kannada Greetings
We started the article with a widely used greeting in Kannada. Likewise, most Indian languages have a norm to begin conversations in the most polite manner, usually warm greetings. It is because India, in general, is known for its expertise and immense belief in hospitality! Wondering how to respond to the greeting I mentioned earlier Namaskara! Hegiddira? (ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ! ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರ?) Meaning “Hello! How are you?” in Kannada? It’s simple:
Namaste! Naanu Aaram Idini. Nivu Hegidira? (ನಮಸ್ತೆ! ನಾನು ಆರಾಮಿದ್ದೀನಿ. ನೀವು ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ?) which means “Hello! I am fine. How are you?”.
In this case, you should also remember that both Namaskara (ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ) and Namaste (ನಮಸ್ತೆ) can be used as replaceable common greetings as they give exactly the same meaning.
Likewise, apart from the basic Kannada words, there are some other important greetings you should know if you are in any city or town of Karnataka:
| English | Kannada | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Hi | ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ | Namaskara |
| How are you? | ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರ? | Hegiddira? |
| Is everything ok? | ಎಲ್ಲ ಆರಾಮ? | Yella Aarama? |
| Welcome | ಸ್ವಾಗತ | Swaagatha |
| Best wishes | ಶುಭವಾಗಲಿ | Shubhavagali |
| Good day | ಶುಭ ದಿನ | Shubhadina |
| Good morning! | ಶುಭೋದಯ | Shubhodaya |
| Good afternoon! | ಶುಭ ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ | Shubha Madhyana |
| Good evening! | ಶುಭ ಸಂಜೆ | Shubha Sanje |
| Good night! | ಶುಭರಾತ್ರಿ | Shubha Raatri |
| Goodbye! | ಶುಭ ವಿದಾಯ | Shubha Vidaaya |
These Kannada greetings will definitely come in handy when you visit the state. Practice these greetings and get familiar with them. Further, you can refer to the blog on nouns in Kannada to understand how a sentence can be framed with the help of these basic words.
Well, now you know how to exactly start a conversation as soon as you land in Bangalore and meet a Kannadiga on your first day!
Vocabulary: Simple Kannada Words And Phrases For Travelers
South India is one place that has a different vibe altogether. People here are simple, humble, and extremely rooted in their culture and local customs. If you are busy exploring new cities of Karnataka, it is equally important for you to know relevant phrases of Kannada vocabulary that will help you to communicate with any person.
Talking with a local like fruit vendors or local shopkeepers can be a hassle if you do not know the local language. To ease things, below are some of the exclusive travelling phrases that every traveller must learn:
| English | Kannada | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Do you speak English? | ನಿಮಗೆ ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ ಬರುತ್ತಾ? | Nimage English baruttha? |
| How to Go? | ಹೇಗೆ ಹೋಗ್ಬೇಕು? | Hege hogbeku? |
| What work do you do? | ನೀವು ಏನು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡ್ತೀರಿ? | Nivu yenu kelsa maadthira? |
| How much does this cost? | ಇದರ ಬೆಲೆ ಎಷ್ಟು? | Idara bele yeshtu? |
| Kindly give me the directions to the restaurant | ರೆಸ್ಟೋರೆಂಟ್ ಗೆ ಹೋಗುವ ಮಾರ್ಗ ತೋರಿಸಿ | Resturant ge hoguva maarga thorisi |
| Did you have breakfast? | ತಿಂಡಿ ಆಯ್ತಾ? | Tindi aaytha? |
| Give me the menu please | ಮೆನು ಕೊಡಿ | Menu Kodi |
| I want to order food | ತಿನ್ನೋಕೆ ಆರ್ಡರ್ ಮಾಡ್ಬೇಕು | Thinnoke order maadbeku |
| Can I get some water? | ನೀರು ಸಿಗಬಹುದಾ? | Neeru sigabahuda? |
| I want to pay the bill | ಬಿಲ್ ಕಟ್ಟಬೇಕು | Bill kattabeku |
| Kindly repeat | ಇನ್ನೊಮ್ಮೆ ಹೇಳಿ | Innomme heli |
| Follow the Google Maps | ಗೂಗಲ್ ಮ್ಯಾಪ್ ನ್ನು ಹಿಂಬಾಲಿಸಿ | Google maps annu himbalisi |
| Kindly don’t forget | ಇದನ್ನು ಮರಿಬೇಡಿ | Idannu maribedi |
| Is there a bank nearby? | ಹತ್ತಿರದಲ್ಲಿ ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ ಇದೆಯೇ? | Hatthirdalli Bank ideya? |
| Please help | ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಿ | Dayavaittu sahaya maadi |
| When do the last bus came? | ಕೊನೆ ಬಸ್ ಬರುವ ಸಮಯ ಏನು? | Koneya bus baruva bus samaya yenu? |
| Need an autorickshaw /taxi | ಆಟೋರಿಕ್ಷಾ/ಟ್ಯಾಕ್ಸಿ ಬೇಕು | Auto rickshaw/ Taxi beku |
| Can you hear me? | ನನ್ನ ಮಾತು ಕೇಳುತ್ತ ಇದೆಯೇ? | Nanna maathu keluttha ideya? |
| I will give the auto fare based on meter | ನಾನು ಮೀಟರ್ ರೇಟ್ ಕೊಡ್ತೀನಿ | Naanu meter rate kodthini |
| Is there a hospital nearby? | ಹತ್ತಿರದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಇದೆಯೇ? | Hatthiradalli Aaspathre ideya? |
You are now equipped with some of the most common phrases to use when dealing with the locals in the state of Karnataka. Further, to enhance your travelling experience, always make sure to address the other person as Anna (ಅಣ್ಣ), meaning ‘brother’, or Akka (ಅಕ್ಕ), meaning ‘sister’ in Kannada. This simple gesture will do you wonders!
Basic Kannada Words To Address Your Friends And Family
Friends and family are supposed to be the closest circle for anyone. Therefore, to extend your conversation with any Kannadiga, you can talk about your family or friends and get familiar with one’s lifestyle in Karnataka.
Basic phrases used in the context of family are:
| English | Kannada | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Elder Brother | ಅಣ್ಣ | Anna |
| Elder Sister | ಅಕ್ಕ | Akka |
| Father | ಅಪ್ಪ | Appa |
| Mother | ಅಮ್ಮ | Amma |
| Grandfather | ಅಜ್ಜ | Ajja |
| Grandmother | ಅಜ್ಜಿ | Ajji |
| Family | ಕುಟುಂಬ | Kutumba |
| Uncle | ಮಾವ | Maava |
| Aunty | ಅತ್ತೆ | Atthe |
| Younger brother | ತಮ್ಮ | Thamma |
| Younger sister | ತಂಗಿ | Thangi |
If you ever come across a resident from Karnataka, use the above basic Kannada words, enquire about his family, and in the end, never forget to say Dhanyavadagalu (ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು) which means ‘Thank you’ in Kannada.
How Do You Say “Basic Kannada Words” In Kannada?
Basic Kannada words are called as Saamanya Kannada Padagalu (ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪದಗಳು).
Simple Tips To Enhance Your Kannada Skills
- Watch Kannada films, which also represent the life of people in Karnataka. This will also help you understand the culture and lifestyle of people. Also, try introducing yourself to Kannada music and check if it suits your taste.
- You can always use slang like “hey bro” to seek assistance from people if you are in a city like Bangalore. Furthermore, you can also converse in English and get your job done. In Bangalore, people are generally multilingual and are also aware of the basics of Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. Since North Indians, too, live here, knowing Hindi can be a bit of help.
- Hear local people speak and try getting the hang of pronunciation. Merely learning the Kannada words and not knowing the pronunciation is not gonna do any good.
- Learn some numbers in Kannada, they will also help you when it comes to daily conversations, especially if you’re shopping.
- Read kid’s books! Thay have basic Kannada words for everyday usage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Basic Kannada Words
1. What Are Some Basic Kannada Words?
Basic Kannada words are those words used on daily basis. For example, ‘Yes’ in Kannada means howdu (ಹೌದು) and ‘No’ means Illa (ಇಲ್ಲ). Similarly, Beku (ಬೇಕು) means ‘want’ and Beda (ಬೇಡ) means ‘dont want’.
Further, you can use Namaste (ನಮಸ್ತೆ) to say hello in Kannada, Hegiddira? to ask ‘how are you?’ and Dhanyavadagalu (ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು) to say ‘Thank you’.
2. How Do You Say Thank You In Kannada With Respect?
In Kannada, Dhanyavadagalu (ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು) is the term which means ‘Thank you’. To say it respectfully, use the phrase Nimage Dhanyavadagalu (ನಿಮಗೆ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು)which means ‘Thanks to you’ in formal sense.
3. How Do Kannada People Greet?
Kannadigas like most Indians do, fold their hands, bend their down and say Namaste (ನಮಸ್ತೆ ) which means ‘Hello’ in Kannada.
Wrapping Up
Being on the soil and not knowing the local language is one risk that is always associated with travel. Hence, knowing the basics of Kannada will always help during any emergency.
The initial step towards learning the language is try using these words when you communicate with the locals. Enhance your traveling experience in Kannada style by practicing these words as well as remember the tips section too!
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