Kannada, a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, is rich with expressions that reflect the region’s culture and ethos. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or planning to visit Karnataka, learning common Kannada expressions can be both fascinating and useful. Here are several Kannada expressions frequently used in daily conversation, along with their definitions and examples:
Namaskara (ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ) – A common greeting which translates to ‘Hello’.
ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಸಂತೋಷವಾಯಿತು, ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ. (Nimmannu kandu santosha vayitu, namaskara.) – I am happy to see you, hello.
Hegiddeera? (ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರ?) – This is the Kannada equivalent of ‘How are you?’.
ನೀವು ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರ? (Neevu hegiddeera?) – How are you?
Chennagiddeeni (ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೀನಿ) – It means ‘I am fine’.
ನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೀನಿ, ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು. (Nanu chennagiddeeni, dhanyavadagalu.) – I am fine, thank you.
Dhanyavadagalu (ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು) – It translates to ‘Thank you’.
ನೀವು ಮಾಡಿದ ಸಹಾಯಕ್ಕೆ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು. (Neevu maadida sahayakke dhanyavadagalu.) – Thank you for your help.
Kshamisi (ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ) – This means ‘Excuse me’ or ‘Sorry’.
ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ, ನಾನು ತಡವಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ. (Kshamisi, nanu tadavaagiddeene.) – Excuse me, I am late.
Aaytu (ಆಯ್ತು) – It indicates acceptance or agreement, similar to saying ‘Okay’.
ನಾನು ನಾಳೆ ಬರುತ್ತೇನೆ, ಆಯ್ತು? (Naanu naale baruttene, aaytu?) – I will come tomorrow, okay?
Hogona (ಹೋಗೋಣ) – It means ‘Let’s go’.
ತಾನಾವೊಂದು ಕಫೆಗೆ ಹೋಗೋಣ. (Thaanaavondu kafegae hogona.) – Let’s go to a cafe.
Swalpa (ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ) – This word means ‘A little’ or ‘Some’.
ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ನೀರು ಕೊಡಿ. (Swalpa neeru kodi.) – Please give me some water.
Eshtu? (ಎಷ್ಟು?) – It means ‘How much?’ and is commonly used while shopping or dining.
ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಬೆಲೆ ಎಷ್ಟು? (Ee pustakada bele eshtu?) – How much is this book?
Illapa (ಇಲ್ಲಪ್ಪ) – It is used to say ‘No’ or ‘Not there’.
ಇಲ್ಲಪ್ಪ, ನಾನು ಆ ಚಿತ್ರ ನೋಡಿಲ್ಲ. (Illappa, nanu aa chitra nodilla.) – No, I have not seen that movie.
Howdu (ಹೌದು) – This word means ‘Yes’.
ಹೌದು, ಅದು ಸತ್ಯ. (Howdu, adu sathya.) – Yes, that’s true.
Yaavagalu (ಯಾವಾಗಲು) – It translates to ‘Always’.
ನೀವು ಯಾವಾಗಲು ನನಗೆ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ. (Neevu yaavagalu nanage sahaya maaduttiri.) – You always help me.
By incorporating these common Kannada expressions into your vocabulary, you can significantly improve your conversational skills and connect with Kannada speakers more effectively. Practice regularly, and don’t shy away from using these expressions with native speakers, as practical application is key to language acquisition.
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