Learning various greetings and farewells in any language is an essential step for effective communication. In Kannada, a language spoken predominantly in the state of Karnataka in South India, greetings play an important role in day-to-day interactions. Here is a compilation of some common salutations and farewells in Kannada, along with their meanings and example sentences to help you get started.

Namaskāra
This is the most common form of greeting in Kannada, equivalent to ‘Hello’ or ‘Hi’ in English. It is a formal way to greet anyone at any time of the day.

ನೀವು ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ? ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ! (Nīvu hēgiddīri? Namaskāra!)

Shubha dina
This phrase means ‘Good day’ in Kannada and is a pleasant way to wish someone during the daytime.

ಶುಭ ದಿನ! ನಾನು ನಾಳೆ ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗುವೆ. (Shubha dina! Nānu nāḷe nim’mannu bheṭiyāguve.)

Shubha raathri
Meaning ‘Good night’, this phrase is used when parting ways at night or before going to sleep.

ಶುಭ ರಾತ್ರಿ, ನಾಳೆ ಸಿಗೋಣ (Shubha rāthri, nāḷe sigoṇa)

Hogi baruvira?
This question means ‘Will you come back?’ or ‘Will you return?’ It’s a polite way to inquire about someone’s return when they are leaving.

ನೀವು ಊಟಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಬರುವಿರಾ? (Nīvu ūṭakke hogi baruvirā?)

Hogona
This word translates to ‘Go’ or ‘Leave’ and is commonly used to tell someone to proceed with their departure or to leave.

ಈಗ ಹೊಗೋಣ, ಸಮಯವಾಗಿದೆ. (Īga hogoṇa, samayavāgide.)

Banni
‘Banni’ means ‘Come’ in Kannada. It’s an invitation to someone to come over or join.

ಊಟಕ್ಕೆ ಬನ್ನಿ! (Ūṭakke banni!)

Matte sigona
Literally, this means ‘We will meet again’ or ‘See you again’. Use it as a casual farewell when expecting to see the person again.

ನಾನು ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಮತ್ತೆ ಸಿಗೋಣ. (Nānu nim’mannu matte sigona.)

Kshaminisi
This expression means ‘Excuse me’ or ‘Forgive me’. It is a polite way to get someone’s attention or to apologize for a small inconvenience.

ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ, ನಾನು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ತಡವಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ. (Kshaminisi, nānu svalpa taḍavāgiddēne.)

Vidāya
‘Vidāya’ is the Kannada word for ‘Farewell’ or ‘Goodbye’. It conveys a sense of finality when parting for a long period or under formal circumstances.

ನನಗೆ ವಿದಾಯ ಹೇಳಿ, ಅವನು ಹೊರಟ ಹೋದ. (Nanage vidāya hēḷi, avanu horata hōda.)

Salutations and farewells are not just about words but also about the culture of the people who speak the language. In Kannada-speaking regions, it is common to fold hands and bow slightly while saying ‘Namaskāra’, as a sign of respect. Understanding and using these phrases will certainly enhance your communication with Kannada speakers and demonstrate your appreciation for their culture. Whether you are just starting to learn Kannada or looking to refine your language skills, knowing these basic terms is a great place to begin.