Learning a new language can often be a challenging but rewarding experience. For those who are learning Kannada, understanding the nuances between words that seem similar can be particularly tricky. Two such words are ಅವರ (avara) and ಸ್ವಂತ (svanta), which translate to “their” and “own” in English, respectively. While they may appear similar in meaning, they are used in different contexts. This article aims to clarify their usage and provide examples to help you grasp these subtleties.
Understanding ಅವರ (avara)
ಅವರ (avara) is a pronoun in Kannada that translates to “their” in English. It is used to indicate possession by a third person or a group of people.
ಅವರ
ಅವರ ಮನೆ ದೊಡ್ಡದು.
(Their house is big.)
In this sentence, ಅವರ refers to a house that belongs to a group of people or someone other than the speaker and the listener.
Usage of ಅವರ in Different Contexts
ಅವರ can be used in various contexts, such as:
1. To indicate possession by multiple people:
ಅವರ ಕಾರು ಹೊಸದು.
(Their car is new.)
2. To indicate respect for a single person:
ಅವರ ಮಾತು ನಿಜ.
(Their word is true.)
3. To talk about someone not present in the conversation:
ಅವರ ಮಗ ಶಾಲೆಗೆ ಹೋದ.
(Their son went to school.)
Understanding ಸ್ವಂತ (svanta)
ಸ್ವಂತ (svanta) is an adjective in Kannada that translates to “own” in English. It is used to indicate possession by oneself.
ಸ್ವಂತ
ಅವನ ಸ್ವಂತ ಮನೆ ಇದೆ.
(He has his own house.)
In this sentence, ಸ್ವಂತ indicates that the house belongs to the person being talked about.
Usage of ಸ್ವಂತ in Different Contexts
ಸ್ವಂತ can be used in various contexts, such as:
1. To indicate personal possession:
ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಸ್ವಂತ ಕಾರು ಖರೀದಿಸಿದೆ.
(I bought my own car.)
2. To emphasize ownership:
ಅವಳಿಗೆ ತನ್ನ ಸ್ವಂತ ವ್ಯಾಪಾರ ಇದೆ.
(She has her own business.)
3. To distinguish between shared and personal possessions:
ಅವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಸ್ವಂತ ಮನೆ ಕಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
(They built their own house.)
Comparative Usage of ಅವರ and ಸ್ವಂತ
Understanding the difference between ಅವರ and ಸ್ವಂತ can be tricky, but here are some comparative contexts to help clarify:
1. **Group vs. Individual Possession**
– ಅವರ is used for possessions belonging to a group:
ಅವರ ಕಿತಾಪತಿ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಇಷ್ಟವಾಗಿದೆ.
(Their performance was liked by everyone.)
– ಸ್ವಂತ is used for individual possession:
ಅವನ ಸ್ವಂತ ಕಿತಾಪತಿ ಉತ್ತಮವಾಗಿದೆ.
(His own performance is good.)
2. **Respect vs. Personal Ownership**
– ಅವರ can be used to show respect:
ಅವರ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಉತ್ತಮವಾಗಿದೆ.
(Their health is good.)
– ಸ್ವಂತ is used to emphasize personal ownership:
ಅವನ ಸ್ವಂತ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಉತ್ತಮವಾಗಿದೆ.
(His own health is good.)
3. **Context of Absence**
– ಅವರ is used when referring to someone not present in the conversation:
ಅವರ ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋಗೋಣ.
(Let’s go to their house.)
– ಸ್ವಂತ is used to refer to one’s own possession, regardless of presence:
ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಸ್ವಂತ ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋಗೋಣ.
(Let’s go to my own house.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. **Mixing Up Group and Personal Possession**
– Incorrect: ಅವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ ಕಟ್ಟಿದರು. (They built their house.)
– Correct: ಅವರು ತಮ್ಮ ಸ್ವಂತ ಮನೆ ಕಟ್ಟಿದರು. (They built their own house.)
2. **Using ಅವರ for Personal Possession**
– Incorrect: ಅವನ ಅವರ ಮನೆ ಇದೆ. (He has their house.)
– Correct: ಅವನ ಸ್ವಂತ ಮನೆ ಇದೆ. (He has his own house.)
3. **Using ಸ್ವಂತ for Group Possession**
– Incorrect: ಅವರ ಸ್ವಂತ ಕಾರು ಹೊಸದು. (Their own car is new.)
– Correct: ಅವರ ಕಾರು ಹೊಸದು. (Their car is new.)
Additional Vocabulary
To further enrich your understanding, here are some additional Kannada words related to possession and ownership:
ನಮ್ಮ (namma) – Our
ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ ಇಲ್ಲಿದೆ.
(Our house is here.)
ನಿನ್ನ (ninna) – Your (singular)
ನಿನ್ನ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಬೀಗಿದೆ.
(Your book is open.)
ನಿಮ್ಮ (nimma) – Your (plural/respectful)
ನಿಮ್ಮ ಶಾಲೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆ?
(Where is your school?)
ಅವನ (avana) – His
ಅವನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ ಬರುವುದು.
(His friend is coming.)
ಅವಳ (avala) – Her
ಅವಳ ಹೂವು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದೆ.
(Her flower is beautiful.)
ಅದಕ್ಕೆ (adakke) – For that
ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣವೇನು?
(What is the reason for that?)
ಇದಕ್ಕೆ (idakke) – For this
ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಉತ್ತರವೇನು?
(What is the answer for this?)
By understanding these additional words, you can better grasp the context in which ಅವರ and ಸ್ವಂತ are used, and avoid common pitfalls in their usage.
Practical Tips for Mastery
1. **Practice with Native Speakers**
Engage in conversations with native Kannada speakers. Pay attention to how they use ಅವರ and ಸ್ವಂತ in different contexts.
2. **Use Flashcards**
Create flashcards with sentences using ಅವರ and ಸ್ವಂತ. This will help reinforce your understanding and recall.
3. **Watch Kannada Media**
Watch Kannada movies, TV shows, or listen to Kannada radio. Note down sentences where these words are used and try to understand the context.
4. **Write Sentences**
Practice writing sentences using both words. This will help you internalize their usage.
5. **Seek Feedback**
Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from teachers or native speakers. They can provide valuable insights and correct any mistakes.
Understanding the difference between ಅವರ and ಸ್ವಂತ is crucial for mastering Kannada. By practicing their usage in different contexts, you can improve your fluency and avoid common mistakes. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find yourself using these words naturally and correctly.
