Kannada-Language-Guide.pdf
- 1. 206.577.0515 info@villagevolunteers.org www.villagevolunteers.org Page 1 of 5 Basic Kannada for Travelers This is a brief introduction to Kannada, a south Indian language spoken in the Karnataka state of India. This introduction provides basic instruction about pronunciation and important words and phrases. Kannada is one of the official languages of India, predominantly spoken in the state of Karnataka, including the city of Bangalore. During your stay in Karnataka, the ability to communicate in Kannada will greatly enhance your experience. Even if you do not plan on studying the language in-dept, we strongly suggest learning and using the basic greetings and phrases. The locals will greatly appreciate your efforts and will be all the more welcoming to you during your stay. Pronunciation Kannada is written in the Kannada script, which is also used to write some of the other native languages of Karnataka: Tulu, Kodava, Takk, and Konkani. The script has forty- nine characters; however different characters can be combined to form compound characters. In this guide we will not use the Kannada script, but a list of the Kannada characters can be found at the end of this document. Kannada has thirteen vowel sounds: a aa / A u as in bud a as in father a~ ea a as in play e as in hey i ee / I u oo / U y as in happy ea as in bead oo as in good oo as in food ai o O au /ou ai as in buy / high o as in row o as in row au as in how / pout Ru r as in hurting Kannada has 21 consonants: b c d b as in bed s as in supper k as in kid d as in dog p q r p as in pig q as in quest r as in row r as in feather f g ph as in phone g as in go s ss as in hiss z as in haze j as in jello t t as in top h j k h as in help dg as in edge c as in cat v w x v as in victory w as in weight cks as in kicks z as in haze
- 2. 206.577.0515 info@villagevolunteers.org www.villagevolunteers.org Page 2 of 5 l l as in love ie as in pie ee as in flee y y as in yes m n m as in mother n as in nice z z as in haze There are also two characters that are called yogavaahac, which are part-vowel and part- consonant. They are the anusvara (am) and the visarga (ah). Greetings Hello Namaskara How are you? Neevu Chennaagidira I am fine. Naanu chennagiddene Fine, thank you. Chennagiddene. Dhanyavaada Goodbye Hogibitt barthene Introductions What is your name? Nimma hessarenu? My name is Nanna hesaru Nice to meet you. Nimmannu nodi santhoshavaythu. Etiquette Please Dayavit.t.u. Thank you Vandenegalo Youre Welcome Tamage suswagatha Yes Havdu No Illa Excuse me (getting attention) Illinodi Excuse me (begging pardon) K-shamisi Im Sorry. Nannindha thappaihu Good morning Shubha munjane Good evening Shubha sanje Good night Shubha ratri Relationships Mother Amma / taayi Father Appa / tande Son Maga Daughter magaLu Elder Brother aNNa
- 3. 206.577.0515 info@villagevolunteers.org www.villagevolunteers.org Page 3 of 5 Younger Brother Tamma Elder Sister Akka Younger Sister Tangi Grandfather Ajja / taata Grandmother Ajji Husband ganDa Wife henDathi Children makkaLu Food and Drinks Breakfast Thindi Lunch Oota Eggs Motte Rice Anna Coffee Kaapi Water Neeru Beans huraLikaayi Potato Aaloo geDDe Apple sEbu Orange kittaLe Vegetables Tarakaarigalu Salad kOsaMbari Butter beNNe Milk Haalu Sugar Sakkare Tea Chaa Cost How much is this? Idhakke yeshtu I dont want it. Nanige beda. Expensive Dhubaari Time of Day Now Iga Later Amele Before Modalu Morning Beligge Afternoon Madhyana Evening Samje Night Ratri
- 4. 206.577.0515 info@villagevolunteers.org www.villagevolunteers.org Page 4 of 5 Useful Words and Phrases I cant speak Kannada (well). Nanage Kannada barodilla. Do you speak English? Nimage English baruththaa? Help! Sahaaya maadi Look out! Jopaana I dont understand Nanage artha vaguthilla Where is the toilet? Shouchalaya Police! Arakshaka I need your help. Nimma sahaya bekagidhe. Im lost. Nanage daari thappide. I lost my bag. Nanna cheela kaledu hoyithu. I need a doctor Nanage doctor beku. Who? Yaaru Where? Elli When? Yaavaga Why? Yaake/Eke What? Enu Which? Yaava/yavudu I dont know. Gottilla Numbers 1 Ondhu 16 Hadinaru 2 Yeradu 17 Hadinelu 3 Mooru 18 Hadinentu 4 Naalku 19 Hathombathu 5 Aidhu 20 Ipathu 6 Aaru 30 Muvathu 7 Yelu 40 Nalavathu 8 Yentu 50 Aivathu 9 Ombattu 60 Arvathu 10 Hathu 70 Yapathu 11 Hannondu 80 Embathu 12 Hanneradu 90 Tombathu 13 Hadimooru 100 Nooru 14 Hadinalku 1,000 Ondu savira 15 Hadinaidhu 1,000,000 Hathu laksha
- 5. 206.577.0515 info@villagevolunteers.org www.villagevolunteers.org Page 5 of 5 The Kannada Alphabet Vowels Consonants