When learning a new language, reaching the B2 level is a significant milestone. At this stage, you’re expected to have a good grasp of the language and be able to communicate effectively in a variety of settings. If you’re learning Kannada, one of the major languages spoken in the southern part of India, reaching the B2 level means you should be comfortable with more complex vocabulary and sentence structures. In this article, we’ll explore some essential Kannada words that will help you advance to this level.

Everyday Vocabulary

Understanding everyday vocabulary is crucial as these words form the backbone of daily conversation. Let’s start with some common words and phrases:

– **ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ (Namaskara)**: Hello
– **ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? (Hegiddira?)**: How are you?
– **ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು (Dhanyavadagalu)**: Thank you
– **ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ (Kshamisi)**: Sorry/Excuse me
– **ಹೌದು (Haudu)**: Yes
– **ಇಲ್ಲ (Illaa)**: No
– **ಅಯ್ಯೋ (Ayyo)**: Oh no!/Alas!
– **ಏನು (Enu)**: What
– **ಎಲ್ಲಿ (Elli)**: Where
– **ಯಾವುದು (Yavudu)**: Which

Mastering these words will not only help you in everyday interactions but also make you sound more natural when speaking Kannada.

Time and Date

Being able to talk about time and dates is another important skill. Here are some words and phrases that will be useful:

– **ಇಂದು (Indu)**: Today
– **ನಾಳೆ (Naale)**: Tomorrow
– **ನಿನ್ನೆ (Ninne)**: Yesterday
– **ವಾರ (Vaara)**: Week
– **ತಿಂಗಳು (Tingalu)**: Month
– **ವರ್ಷ (Varsha)**: Year
– **ಗಂಟೆ (Gante)**: Hour
– **ನಿಮಿಷ (Nimisha)**: Minute
– **ಸೇಕಂಡ್ (Second)**: Second

For instance, if you want to say “I will come tomorrow,” you would say, “ನಾನು ನಾಳೆ ಬರುತ್ತೇನೆ (Naanu naale barutteene).”

Numbers and Counting

Knowing numbers and being able to count is essential in any language. Here are the Kannada words for numbers 1-10:

– **ಒಂದು (Ondu)**: One
– **ಎರಡು (Eradu)**: Two
– **ಮೂರು (Mooru)**: Three
– **ನಾಲ್ಕು (Naalku)**: Four
– **ಐದು (Aidu)**: Five
– **ಆರು (Aaru)**: Six
– **ಏಳು (Elu)**: Seven
– **ಎಂಟು (Entu)**: Eight
– **ಒಂಬತ್ತು (Ombattu)**: Nine
– **ಹತ್ತು (Hattu)**: Ten

For numbers beyond ten, you can generally combine these basic numbers. For example, eleven is “ಹನ್ನೊಂದು (Hannondhu)” (ten + one), twelve is “ಹನ್ನೆರಡು (Hanneradu)” (ten + two), and so on.

Food and Drink

Food is a vital part of any culture, and knowing food-related vocabulary will help you in restaurants, markets, and even in conversations with locals. Here are some essential words:

– **ಅನ್ನ (Anna)**: Rice
– **ಹಣ್ಣು (Hannu)**: Fruit
– **ತಿಂಡಿ (Tindi)**: Snack
– **ಹಾಲು (Halu)**: Milk
– **ಬೇಳೆ (Bele)**: Lentil
– **ಸಕ್ಕರೆ (Sakkare)**: Sugar
– **ಉಪ್ಪು (Uppu)**: Salt
– **ನೀರು (Neeru)**: Water
– **ತಿಂದು (Tindu)**: Eat
– **ಕುಡಿಯು (Kudiyu)**: Drink

For example, if you want to say “I want water,” you would say, “ನನಗೆ ನೀರು ಬೇಕು (Nanage neeru beku).”

Travel and Directions

When traveling, it’s crucial to know how to ask for directions and understand travel-related vocabulary. Here are some words and phrases that can help:

– **ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ (Bus nildana)**: Bus stop
– **ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ (Railu nildana)**: Railway station
– **ವಿಮಾನ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ (Vimana nildana)**: Airport
– **ದಾರಿ (Daari)**: Road/Way
– **ಎಲ್ಲಿ (Elli)**: Where
– **ಎದುರು (Eduru)**: In front
– **ಹಿಂದೆ (Hinde)**: Behind
– **ಎಡ (Eda)**: Left
– **ಬಲ (Bala)**: Right
– **ನೇರವಾಗಿ (Neravagi)**: Straight

For instance, to ask “Where is the bus stop?” you would say, “ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ? (Bus nildana ellide?)”

Work and Office

If you are working in a Kannada-speaking environment, knowing office and work-related vocabulary is essential. Here are some words that will be useful:

– **ಕೆಲಸ (Kelasa)**: Work
– **ಆಫೀಸ್ (Office)**: Office
– **ಮನೆ (Mane)**: Home
– **ಸಹೋದ್ಯೋಗಿ (Sahodyogi)**: Colleague
– **ಮನೆಗೆ ಕೆಲಸ (Menage kelasa)**: Homework
– **ಮೀಟಿಂಗ್ (Meeting)**: Meeting
– **ಪ್ರಾಜೆಕ್ಟ್ (Project)**: Project
– **ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ (Adhyaksha)**: President/Chairperson
– **ಮನೆಮಾಲಿಕ (Manemalika)**: Landlord
– **ಅನುಭವ (Anubhava)**: Experience

For example, “I have a meeting today” would be “ಇಂದು ನನಗೆ ಮೀಟಿಂಗ್ ಇದೆ (Indu nanage meeting ide).”

Emotions and Feelings

Expressing your emotions and feelings is essential for effective communication. Here are some Kannada words to help you articulate how you feel:

– **ಹರ್ಷ (Harsha)**: Joy
– **ದುಃಖ (Duhkha)**: Sadness
– **ಕೋಪ (Kopa)**: Anger
– **ಭಯ (Bhaya)**: Fear
– **ವಿಷಾದ (Vishada)**: Depression
– **ಆನಂದ (Ananda)**: Happiness
– **ಅವಮಾನ (Avamana)**: Insult
– **ಅಭಿಮಾನ (Abhimana)**: Pride
– **ಚಿಂತೆ (Chinte)**: Worry
– **ಬೇಸರ (Besara)**: Disgust

For example, if you want to say “I am happy,” you would say, “ನಾನು ಆನಂದದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೇನೆ (Naanu aanandadallidene).”

Health and Body

Knowing words related to health and the body can be incredibly useful, especially in medical situations. Here are some essential terms:

– **ಆರೋಗ್ಯ (Aarogya)**: Health
– **ರೋಗ (Roga)**: Disease
– **ಡಾಕ್ಟರ್ (Doctor)**: Doctor
– **ಔಷಧಿ (Aushadhi)**: Medicine
– **ತಲೆ (Tale)**: Head
– **ಹೃದಯ (Hridaya)**: Heart
– **ಕೈ (Kai)**: Hand
– **ಕಾಲು (Kaal)**: Leg
– **ಕಣ್ಣು (Kannu)**: Eye
– **ಹಲ್ಲು (Hallu)**: Tooth

For example, if you need to say “I have a headache,” you would say, “ನನಗೆ ತಲೆನೋವು ಇದೆ (Nanage talenovu ide).”

Family and Relationships

Talking about your family and relationships is an important part of social interactions. Here are some words that will help you discuss these topics:

– **ತಂದೆ (Tande)**: Father
– **ತಾಯಿ (Taayi)**: Mother
– **ಅಣ್ಣ (Anna)**: Elder brother
– **ತಂಗಿ (Tangi)**: Younger sister
– **ಮಗ (Maga)**: Son
– **ಮಗಳು (Magalu)**: Daughter
– **ಮನೆ (Mane)**: Home
– **ಮನೆಮಾತು (Manematu)**: Homemaker
– **ಮದುವೆ (Maduve)**: Marriage
– **ಮಿತ್ರ (Mitra)**: Friend

For example, “My mother is at home” would be “ನನ್ನ ತಾಯಿ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇದ್ದಾಳೆ (Nanna taayi maneyalli iddaale).”

Shopping and Money

Shopping is a common activity, and knowing how to talk about money and shopping can be very helpful. Here are some words to get you started:

– **ಹಣ (Hana)**: Money
– **ಬೆಲೆ (Bele)**: Price
– **ಮಾರಾಟ (Maarata)**: Sale
– **ಬಿಲ್ (Bill)**: Bill
– **ದೇವರಿಗೆ (Devarige)**: To give
– **ಕೊಂಡು (Kondu)**: Buy
– **ಮಾರಾಟ (Maarata)**: Sell
– **ಮಾರಾಟಗಾರ (Maaratagara)**: Seller
– **ದರ (Dara)**: Rate
– **ಬ್ಯಾಂಕ್ (Bank)**: Bank

For instance, “How much does this cost?” would be “ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು ಬೆಲೆಯದು? (Idu eshtu beleyaadu?)”

Weather and Nature

Talking about the weather is a universal conversation starter. Here are some Kannada words related to weather and nature:

– **ಮಳೆ (Male)**: Rain
– **ಸೂರ್ಯ (Soorya)**: Sun
– **ಮೋಡ (Moda)**: Cloud
– **ಗಾಳಿ (Gaali)**: Wind
– **ತಂಪು (Tampu)**: Cold
– **ಬಿಸಿಲು (Bisilu)**: Hot
– **ಹೂವು (Hoovu)**: Flower
– **ಮರ (Mara)**: Tree
– **ನದಿ (Nadi)**: River
– **ಸಮುದ್ರ (Samudra)**: Sea

For example, “It is raining” would be “ಮಳೆ ಬರುತ್ತಿದೆ (Male baruttide).”

Advanced Verbs and Adjectives

To achieve a B2 level in Kannada, you need to be comfortable using more advanced verbs and adjectives. Here are some that will help you express yourself more precisely:

– **ವಿವರಿಸು (Vivarisu)**: Explain
– **ಅನುಮತಿಸು (Anumatisu)**: Allow
– **ಪ್ರತಿಬಿಂಬಿಸು (Pratibimbisu)**: Reflect
– **ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯಕರ (Aashcharyakara)**: Surprising
– **ಸಂತೋಷಕರ (Santoshakara)**: Joyful
– **ದುಃಖಕರ (Duhkakara)**: Sorrowful
– **ಅದ್ಭುತ (Adbhuta)**: Wonderful
– **ಸಂಶಯ (Samsaya)**: Doubt
– **ನಂಬಿಕೆ (Nambike)**: Belief
– **ಆಕರ್ಷಕ (Aakarshaka)**: Attractive

For instance, “This is a wonderful place” would be “ಇದು ಅದ್ಭುತವಾದ ಸ್ಥಳ (Idu adbhutavaada sthal).”

Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions can add color to your language and make you sound more like a native speaker. Here are some Kannada idioms that you can use:

– **ಕಾಗೆ ಬಿಲ್ಲು (Kaage billu)**: A rare occurrence (literally, a crow’s beak)
– **ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಮೆಟ್ಟಿಲು (Bettada mettilu)**: A difficult task (literally, a mountain’s steps)
– **ಅಪ್ಪಟ ಹಳ್ಳಿಗ (Appata halliga)**: A true villager (literally, pure villager)
– **ಹುಚ್ಚು ತಲೆ (Huchchu tale)**: Foolish person (literally, mad head)

For example, to say “This is a difficult task,” you could use the idiom: “ಇದು ಬೆಟ್ಟದ ಮೆಟ್ಟಿಲು (Idu bettada mettilu).”

Conclusion

Reaching a B2 level in Kannada is a rewarding accomplishment. It allows you to engage in more meaningful conversations, understand more complex texts, and immerse yourself deeper into the Kannada-speaking culture. By mastering the vocabulary provided in this article, you’ll be well on your way to achieving this milestone. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every new word you learn takes you one step closer to fluency. Keep practicing, and you’ll continue to improve!