Learning Kannada, a Dravidian language spoken predominantly in the Indian state of Karnataka, can be an enriching experience. For those at the A1 level, which corresponds to the beginner level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), acquiring a basic vocabulary is essential. This article aims to introduce some fundamental Kannada words and phrases that will help you navigate simple conversations and daily interactions.

Basic Greetings and Polite Expressions

Knowing how to greet someone and use polite expressions is the first step in any language learning journey. Here are some basic Kannada words and phrases that you should know:

– **Namaskara** (ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ): Hello
– **Hegiddira?** (ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರ?): How are you?
– **Chennagiddini** (ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ): I am fine.
– **Dhanyavaadagalu** (ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು): Thank you
– **Dayavittu** (ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು): Please
– **Kshamisi** (ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ): Sorry
– **Banni** (ಬನ್ನಿ): Come
– **Hogi** (ಹೋಗಿ): Go
– **Nodu** (ನೋಡು): Look

These expressions will help you start a conversation and make a good impression on native speakers.

Introducing Yourself

When meeting someone new, it’s important to know how to introduce yourself. Here are some useful phrases:

– **Nanna hesaru [your name]** (ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು [your name]): My name is [your name].
– **Naanu [your country]-inda bandiddini** (ನಾನು [your country]-ಇಂದ ಬಂದಿದ್ದೇನೆ): I am from [your country].
– **Naanu vidyarthi** (ನಾನು ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿ): I am a student.
– **Naanu kelasa maaduttiddini** (ನಾನು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ): I am working.

These phrases will help you share basic information about yourself and understand the same from others.

Numbers and Counting

Understanding numbers is crucial for various daily activities, such as shopping or telling time. Here are the numbers from 1 to 10 in Kannada:

– 1: **Ondu** (ಒಂದು)
– 2: **Eradu** (ಎರಡು)
– 3: **Mooru** (ಮೂರು)
– 4: **Naalku** (ನಾಲ್ಕು)
– 5: **Aidhu** (ಐದು)
– 6: **Aaru** (ಆರು)
– 7: **Yelu** (ಏಳು)
– 8: **Entu** (ಎಂಟು)
– 9: **Ombattu** (ಒಂಬತ್ತು)
– 10: **Hattu** (ಹತ್ತು)

For counting beyond ten, you can start combining these basic numbers. For instance, 11 is **hannondu** (ಹನ್ನೊಂದು), 12 is **hanneradu** (ಹನ್ನೆರಡು), and so on.

Days of the Week

Knowing the days of the week is essential for scheduling and understanding time-related conversations. Here are the days of the week in Kannada:

– Monday: **Somavara** (ಸೋಮವಾರ)
– Tuesday: **Mangalavara** (ಮಂಗಳವಾರ)
– Wednesday: **Budhavara** (ಬುಧವಾರ)
– Thursday: **Guruvara** (ಗುರುವಾರ)
– Friday: **Shukravara** (ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ)
– Saturday: **Shanivara** (ಶನಿವಾರ)
– Sunday: **Bhanuvara** (ಭಾನುವಾರ)

These words will help you manage your weekly activities and understand others’ schedules.

Common Nouns

Nouns are the building blocks of any language. Here are some common nouns in Kannada that will be useful in everyday conversations:

– **Mane** (ಮನೆ): House
– **Oota** (ಊಟ): Food
– **Neeru** (ನೀರು): Water
– **Bale** (ಬಲೆ): Fruit
– **Hennu** (ಹೆಣ್ಣು): Woman
– **Gandu** (ಗಂಡು): Man
– **Makkalu** (ಮಕ್ಕಳು): Children
– **Gadiyara** (ಗಡಿಯಾರ): Clock
– **Pustaka** (ಪುಸ್ತಕ): Book
– **Bicycle** (ಬೈಸಿಕಲ್): Bicycle

Understanding these nouns will help you describe your surroundings and communicate basic needs.

Common Verbs

Verbs are essential for describing actions. Here are some common Kannada verbs that you should know:

– **Odu** (ಓದು): Read
– **Bare** (ಬರೆ): Write
– **Maadu** (ಮಾಡು): Do/Make
– **Kudi** (ಕುಡಿ): Drink
– **Tinnu** (ತಿನ್ನು): Eat
– **Nodu** (ನೋಡು): See/Look
– **Kel** (ಕೇಳು): Hear/Listen
– **Nillu** (ನಿಲ್ಲು): Stop
– **Banni** (ಬನ್ನಿ): Come
– **Hogi** (ಹೋಗಿ): Go

These verbs will help you describe actions and understand what others are doing.

Common Adjectives

Adjectives help you describe nouns in more detail. Here are some common Kannada adjectives:

– **Dodda** (ದೊಡ್ಡ): Big
– **Sanna** (ಸಣ್ಣ): Small
– **Hosa** (ಹೊಸ): New
– **Hale** (ಹಳೆ): Old
– **Sundara** (ಸুಂದರ): Beautiful
– **Chennagi** (ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ): Good
– **Kett** (ಕೆಟ್ಟ): Bad
– **Bega** (ಬೇಗ): Fast
– **Nidhan** (ನಿಧಾನ): Slow
– **Bisi** (ಬಿಸಿ): Hot
– **Thampu** (ತಂಪು): Cold

Using these adjectives will help you provide more detailed descriptions in your conversations.

Common Questions

Asking questions is crucial for gathering information and keeping a conversation going. Here are some common question words and phrases in Kannada:

– **Yaaru?** (ಯಾರು?): Who?
– **Yenu?** (ಏನು?): What?
– **Yellide?** (ಎಲ್ಲಿ?): Where?
– **Yavaga?** (ಯಾವಾಗ?): When?
– **Hegide?** (ಹೇಗಿದೆ?): How?
– **Eshtu?** (ಎಷ್ಟು?): How much/How many?

These questions will help you engage in conversations and learn more from others.

Common Phrases

Here are some common phrases that will be useful in everyday situations:

– **Yen samachara?** (ಏನ್ ಸಮಾಚಾರ?): What’s the news?/What’s up?
– **Naanu hogbeku** (ನಾನು ಹೋಗಬೇಕು): I have to go.
– **Ninna hesarenu?** (ನಿನ್ನ ಹೆಸರೇನು?): What is your name?
– **Ninna maneyalli yaaru iddare?** (ನಿನ್ನ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಯಾರು ಇದ್ದಾರೆ?): Who is there in your house?
– **Nimage Kannada barutha?** (ನಿಮಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ಬರುತ್ತಾ?): Do you know Kannada?
– **Naanu Kannada kalithu kolluttene** (ನಾನು ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಲಿತುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇನೆ): I am learning Kannada.

These phrases will help you navigate various social situations and express your thoughts more clearly.

Useful Vocabulary for Daily Activities

Here are some words and phrases related to daily activities:

– **Nidre** (ನಿದ್ರೆ): Sleep
– **Eddelu** (ಎದ್ದೆಳು): Wake up
– **Snana** (ಸ್ನಾನ): Bath
– **Oota maadu** (ಊಟ ಮಾಡು): Have food
– **Odalu** (ಓಡಲು): Run
– **Odu** (ಓದು): Study
– **Kelasa** (ಕೆಲಸ): Work
– **Aata** (ಆಟ): Play
– **Vishesha** (ವಿಶೇಷ): Special/Important

These words will help you describe your daily routines and understand others’ routines.

Expressions for Shopping

Shopping is an essential activity, and knowing the right words can make it easier. Here are some useful expressions:

– **Eshtu?** (ಎಷ್ಟು?): How much?
– **Idara bele yestu?** (ಇದರ ಬೆಲೆ ಎಷ್ಟು?): What is the price of this?
– **Nanna ge idu beku** (ನನಗೆ ಇದು ಬೇಕು): I want this.
– **Sastaa ideya?** (ಸಸ್ಟಾ ಇದೆಯಾ?): Is it cheap?
– **Duddu** (ದುದ್ದು): Money
– **Angadi** (ಅಂಗಡಿ): Shop
– **Tagade** (ತಗಡೆ): Discount/Bargain

These expressions will help you navigate shopping experiences and make transactions smoother.

Time-Related Vocabulary

Understanding and telling time is crucial in any language. Here are some time-related words and phrases:

– **Gante** (ಗಂಟೆ): Hour
– **Nimisha** (ನಿಮಿಷ): Minute
– **Ghadiyaara** (ಗಡಿಯಾರ): Clock
– **Beligge** (ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ): Morning
– **Madhyahna** (ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ): Afternoon
– **Sanje** (ಸಂಜೆ): Evening
– **Ratri** (ರಾತ್ರಿ): Night
– **Ippatthu nimisha** (ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತು ನಿಮಿಷ): Twenty minutes
– **Ardha gante** (ಅರ್ಧ ಗಂಟೆ): Half an hour

These words will help you discuss and understand time-related topics.

Basic Family Vocabulary

Discussing family is common in many conversations. Here are some basic family-related words:

– **Tande** (ತಂದೆ): Father
– **Thayi** (ತಾಯಿ): Mother
– **Anna** (ಅಣ್ಣ): Elder brother
– **Thamma** (ತಮ್ಮ): Younger brother
– **Akka** (ಅಕ್ಕ): Elder sister
– **Thangi** (ತಂಗಿ): Younger sister
– **Maga** (ಮಗ): Son
– **Magalu** (ಮಗಳು): Daughter

These words will help you talk about your family and understand others’ family structures.

Colors in Kannada

Colors are an essential part of daily vocabulary. Here are some basic colors in Kannada:

– **Bili** (ಬಿಳಿ): White
– **Kappu** (ಕಪ್ಪು): Black
– **Kempu** (ಕೆಂಪು): Red
– **Hasiru** (ಹಸಿರು): Green
– **Neeli** (ನೀಲಿ): Blue
– **Haladi** (ಹಳದಿ): Yellow
– **Gulabi** (ಗುಲಾಬಿ): Pink
– **Kashe** (ಕಷಾಯ): Brown

These words will help you describe objects and preferences more vividly.

Basic Food Vocabulary

Discussing food is a common part of daily life. Here are some basic food-related words:

– **Anna** (ಅನ್ನ): Rice
– **Roti** (ರೊಟ್ಟಿ): Bread
– **Palya** (ಪಲ್ಯ): Curry
– **Huli** (ಹುಳಿ): Sour/Tamarind
– **Mosaru** (ಮೋಸರು): Yogurt
– **Benne** (ಬೆಣ್ಣೆ): Butter
– **Hannu** (ಹಣ್ಣು): Fruit
– **Halu** (ಹಾಲು): Milk
– **Tindi** (ತಿಂಡಿ): Snack

These words will help you discuss meals and preferences.

Common Transportation Vocabulary

Transportation is a key part of daily life. Here are some common transportation-related words:

– **Basu** (ಬಸ್): Bus
– **Train** (ಟ್ರೈನ್): Train
– **Taxi** (ಟ್ಯಾಕ್ಸಿ): Taxi
– **Car** (ಕಾರು): Car
– **Cycle** (ಸೈಕಲ್): Bicycle
– **Nadeyalu** (ನಡೆಯಲು): Walk
– **Hogi** (ಹೋಗಿ): Go
– **Banni** (ಬನ್ನಿ): Come
– **Stoppu** (ಸ್ಟಾಪು): Stop

These words will help you navigate transportation and travel.

Conclusion

Learning Kannada at the A1 level involves acquiring a basic vocabulary that will help you navigate daily conversations and activities. This article has provided you with essential words and phrases across various categories, including greetings, numbers, common nouns, verbs, adjectives, questions, and more. By familiarizing yourself with these words and practicing them regularly, you’ll be well on your way to becoming proficient in basic Kannada. Happy learning!