Telling Time in Kannada Language

Understanding Kannada Numbers for Telling Time

Before diving into time expressions, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with Kannada numbers, as they form the backbone of telling time. Kannada uses a distinct numeral system that is widely used alongside Arabic numerals, especially in traditional contexts.

Basic Kannada Numbers 1 to 12

Time is generally expressed using hours from 1 to 12, so learning these numbers is the first step. Here are the Kannada numbers from one to twelve, along with their pronunciation guides:

• 1 – ಒಂದ್ (Ondu)
• 2 – ಎರಡು (Eradu)
• 3 – ಮೂರು (Mūru)
• 4 – ನಾಲ್ಕು (Nālku)
• 5 – ಐದು (Aidu)
• 6 – ಆರು (Āru)
• 7 – ಏಳು (Ēḷu)
• 8 – ಎಂಟು (Enṭu)
• 9 – ಒಂಬತ್ತು (Ombattu)
• 10 – ಹತ್ತು (Hattu)
• 11 – ಹನ್ನೊಂದು (Hannondhu)
• 12 – ಹನ್ನೆರಡು (Hanneradu)

Mastering these numbers is vital because they are repeated in various time-telling contexts, including hours and minutes.

Numbers Beyond 12

While hours are typically expressed within a 12-hour cycle, minutes use numbers up to 59. Here are a few key numbers beyond 12:

• 15 – ಹದಿಮೂರು (Hadimūru)
• 30 – ಮೂವತ್ತು (Mūvattu)
• 45 – ಅರವತ್ತು (Aravattu)
• 59 – ಐಂಬತ್ತೊಂಭತ್ತು (Aimbattoṁbattu)

Knowing these numbers helps you tell time precisely, such as “quarter past” or “half past.”

Basic Structure of Telling Time in Kannada

Telling time in Kannada involves a simple structure that includes stating the hour and then the minutes. Like English, Kannada uses both 12-hour and 24-hour formats, but the 12-hour format is more common in everyday speech.

Expressing Hours

To express the hour, you say the number followed by the word for “o’clock.” The word for “hour” or “o’clock” in Kannada is ಗಂಟೆ (Gaṇṭe).

Examples:

• 1 o’clock – ಒಂದು ಗಂಟೆ (Ondu Gaṇṭe)
• 5 o’clock – ಐದು ಗಂಟೆ (Aidu Gaṇṭe)
• 12 o’clock – ಹನ್ನೆರಡು ಗಂಟೆ (Hanneradu Gaṇṭe)

Expressing Minutes

Minutes are added after the hour, usually using the word ನಿಮಿಷ (Nimisha), meaning “minute.”

Examples:

• 1:05 – ಒಂದು ಗಂಟೆ ಐದು ನಿಮಿಷ (Ondu Gaṇṭe Aidu Nimisha)
• 2:15 – ಎರಡು ಗಂಟೆ ಹದಿಮೂರು ನಿಮಿಷ (Eradu Gaṇṭe Hadimūru Nimisha)
• 3:30 – ಮೂರು ಗಂಟೆ ಮೂವತ್ತು ನಿಮಿಷ (Mūru Gaṇṭe Mūvattu Nimisha)

Common Time Expressions

There are also commonly used expressions to indicate quarters and halves:

• Quarter past – ಪೂರ್ತಿ (Pūrti) or ‘ಹದಿಮೂರು’ (Hadimūru)
• Half past – ಅರ್ಧ (Ardha)
• Quarter to – ಕಮ್ಮಿ (Kammī) or ‘ಹದಿಮೂರು ಕಮ್ಮಿ’ (Hadimūru Kammī)

For example:

• 2:15 – ಎರಡು ಗಂಟೆ ಹದಿಮೂರು ನಿಮಿಷ (Eradu Gaṇṭe Hadimūru Nimisha) or ಎರಡು ಗಂಟೆ ಪೂರ್ತಿ (Eradu Gaṇṭe Pūrti)
• 5:30 – ಐದು ಗಂಟೆ ಅರ್ಧ (Aidu Gaṇṭe Ardha)
• 6:45 – ಏಳು ಗಂಟೆ ಹದಿಮೂರು ಕಮ್ಮಿ (Ēḷu Gaṇṭe Hadimūru Kammī) meaning “quarter to seven”

AM and PM in Kannada

Unlike English, Kannada does not have exact equivalents for “AM” and “PM,” but time of day is usually conveyed through context or additional words.

Daytime and Nighttime Indicators

To specify morning or evening, you can add:

• ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ (Beḷigge) – Morning
• ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ (Madhyāhna) – Afternoon
• ಸಂಜೆ (Sanje) – Evening
• ರಾತ್ರಿ (Rātri) – Night

Examples:

• 7 AM – ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ಏಳು ಗಂಟೆ (Beḷigge Ēḷu Gaṇṭe)
• 9 PM – ರಾತ್ರಿ ಒಂಬತ್ತು ಗಂಟೆ (Rātri Ombattu Gaṇṭe)

Using 24-Hour Format

In formal contexts like the military, transportation, or digital clocks, the 24-hour format is sometimes used, but it is generally pronounced as is, often mixing English numerals with Kannada words.

Informal and Formal Ways to Ask and Tell Time

Common Questions About Time

Here are some frequent questions used to ask time in Kannada:

• ಸಮಯ ಎಷ್ಟು? (Samaya eṣṭu?) – What time is it?
• ಈಗ ಗಂಟೆ ಎಷ್ಟು? (Īga gaṇṭe eṣṭu?) – What is the hour now?
• ನಿಮ್ಮ ಗಂಟೆ ಏನು? (Nimma gaṇṭe ēnu?) – What’s your time? (Less common)

Sample Responses

Answers typically follow the hour + minute format:

• ಇದು ಎರಡು ಗಂಟೆ ಹದಿಮೂರು ನಿಮಿಷ (Idu eradu gaṇṭe hadimūru nimisha) – It is 2:15.
• ಮೂರು ಗಂಟೆ ಮೂವತ್ತು ನಿಮಿಷ (Mūru gaṇṭe mūvattu nimisha) – It is 3:30.

Politeness and Formality

In formal or respectful contexts, adding words like ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು (Dayaviṭṭu – please) when asking time is polite. Also, using full sentences rather than just numbers is preferred.

Example:

• ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಸಮಯ ಹೇಳಿ. (Dayaviṭṭu samaya hēḷi.) – Please tell me the time.

Practical Tips to Master Telling Time in Kannada

Learning to tell time in Kannada can be straightforward with consistent practice and the right resources.

• Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with numbers and time expressions to reinforce memory.
• Practice with Talkpal: Engage in interactive lessons and conversations with native speakers to build confidence.
• Listen to Kannada Media: Watch Kannada TV shows, news, and listen to radio to hear time expressions in context.
• Daily Time Announcements: Practice announcing the time throughout your day in Kannada to make it a habit.
• Use Kannada Clocks or Apps: Many apps are designed for language learners to help practice telling time.

Conclusion

Telling time in Kannada is an essential skill that enriches your ability to communicate effectively and engage with Kannada-speaking communities. By learning Kannada numbers, understanding time expressions, and practicing both formal and informal ways of telling time, you can gain confidence and fluency. Utilizing modern tools like Talkpal accelerates this learning process by providing immersive, practical experiences. Whether for travel, business, or cultural appreciation, mastering how to tell time in Kannada is a valuable step in your language learning journey. Start practicing today and watch your Kannada skills grow!