'''Kannada''' (????? ''kanna?a''), a Dravidian language with some 50 million speakers, is an official language of India and the state language of Karnataka. It is also the language you are likely to encounter in Bangalore, a city you might have heard of quite a bit recently. It is also the language you will encounter if you visit the historically significant cities of Mysore and Hampi, so arming yourself with rudimentary knowledge of Kannada is a good idea if you wish to visit those places.

Kannada is a Dravidian language, which means that it belongs to the same family as the other South Indian languages Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Tulu. These languages share many words, sentence structures and even expressions, which means that if you pick up any one, your path to learning the others is considerably eased.

Also, because of Karnataka's proximity to Maharashtra, Kannada is more accepting of Sanskrit loanwords than Tamil or Malayalam. While it would be a stretch to say that learning Hindi will help you pick up Kannada better, it is true that if you are very good at chaste Sanskritised Hindi (or some other North Indian language) you will find it somewhat easy to communicate with a ''Kannadiga'', as native speakers of Kannada are called.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

a aa/A i ii/I u uu/U ru/Ru/Ri e ee/E ai o oo/O ow/ou um/aM aha/aH

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Consonants

; b : like 'b' in "bed" ; c : like 's' in "supper", 'k' in "kid" ; d : like 'd' in "dog" ; f : like 'ph' in "phone" ; g : like 'g' in "go", 'j' in "jello" ; h : like 'h' in "help" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries) ; j : like 'dg' in "edge" ; k : like 'c' in "cat" ; l : like 'l' in "love" ; m : like 'm' in "mother" ; n : like 'n' in "nice" ; p : like 'p' in "pig" ; q : like 'q' in "quest" (with "u", almost always) ; r : like 'r' in "row", like 'r' in "feather" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries at end of word) ; s : like 'ss' in "hiss", like 'z' in "haze" ; t : like 't' in "top" ; v : like 'v' in "victory" ; w : like 'w' in "weight" ; x : like 'cks' in "kicks", like 'z' in "haze" (at beginning of a word) ; y : like 'y' in "yes", like 'ie' in "pie", like 'ee' in "flee" ; z : like 'z' in "haze"

; : ??=k, ??=K,kh, ??=g, ??=G,gh, ??=~g ; : ??=c,ch, ??=C,Ch, ??=j, ??=J,jh, ??=~j ; : ??=T, ??=Th, ??=D, ??=Dh, ??=N ; : ??=t, ??=th, ??=d, ??=dh, ??=n ; : ??=p, ??=P,ph, ??=b, ??=B,bh, ??=m ; : ??=y,Y, ??=r,R, ??=rx, ??=l, ??=v,w, ??=S,sh, ??=Sh, ??=s, ??=h,~h, ??=L, ??=Lx, ???=kSha

Common diphthongs

; ay : like 'ay' in "say" ; ai : like 'ay' in "say" ; au : like 'awe'

; ee : like 'ee' in "see" ; ei : like 'ay' in "say" ; ey : like 'ay' in "say", like 'ee' in "see"

; ie : like 'ee' in "see"

; oi : like 'oy' in "boy" ; oo : like 'oo' in "food", like 'oo' in "good" ; ou : like 'ow' in "cow", like 'oo' in "food", like 'o' in "cot" ; ow : like 'ow' in "cow" ; oy : like 'oy' in "boy"

; ch : like 'ch' in "touch" ; sh : like 'sh' in "sheep" ; th : like 'th' in "this", like 'th' in "those" ; gh : like 'f' in "fish" ; ph : like 'f' in "fish"

Phrase list

Basics

; Hello. : Namaskara. (''...'') ; Hello. (''informal'') : (''...'') ; How are you? : Chennaagidira? (formal) Chennagidiya (very informal) ; How are you? (''formal?'') : Neevu Chennaagidira? ; I am fine. (''formal?'') : Naanu chennagiddene. ; Fine, thank you. : Chennagiddene. Dhanyavaada ; Have you eaten? : Uta aithaa? (''...'') ; Yes, I have. : Uta aithu (''...'') ; What is your name? : Nimma hesarenu? (''NIM ah HESS er AYNOO?'') ; My name is ______ . : Nanna hesaru ______ . (''NUN ah HESS ah-ru _____ .'') ; Nice to meet you. : nimmannu nodi santhoshavaythu (''...'') ; Please. : Dayavit.t.u. (''DAI-yuh-WI-too'') ; Thank you. : VandenegaLu. (''WAN-deh-neh-ga-loo'') ; You're welcome. : tamage suswagatha. ; Yes. : Havdu. (''HAW-du'') ; No. : Illa. (''ILL ah'') ; Excuse me. (''getting attention'') : illinoDi (''...'') ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon'') : K-shamisi (''...'') ; I'm sorry. : nannindha thappaithu (''...'') ; Goodbye : Hogibitt Barthene ; Goodbye (''informal'') : (''...'') ; I can't speak Kannada [well]. : Nanage Kannada barodilla. (''...'') ; Do you speak English? : Nimage English baruththaa? (''...'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Illi yaarigaadaru english baruththaa? (''...'') ; Help! : sahaaya maadi(''...'') ; Look out! : jopaana(''...'') ; Good morning. : Shubha Munjane , shubhodhaya, shubha udhaya (''...'') ; Good evening. : shubha sanje (''...'') ; Good night. : Shubha Ratri (''...'') ; Good night (''to sleep'') : (''...'') ; I don't understand. :nanage artha vaguthilla (''...'') ; Where is the toilet? : Shouchalaya Ellidhe

Problems

; I am not feeling well. : Nanage Husharilla ; Leave me alone. : Nanna bittu bidi, Nanna vonti aagi biDu (''...'') ; Don't touch me! : nanna mutta beda ; I'll call the police. : nanu Arakshakarannu karithini ; Police! : Arakshaka ; Stop! Thief! : Nillu! KaLLa ; I need your help. : Nimma sahaya bekagidhe. (''...'') ; It's an emergency. : thurthu samaya (''THUR-THOO- SUM-IYA'') ; I'm lost. : Nanage daari thappide. (''...'') ; I lost my bag. : Nanna cheela kaLedu hoyithu. (''...'') ; I lost my wallet. : Nanna wallet(kai cheela) kaLedu hoyithu. (''...'') ; I'm sick. : Nanage hushaarilla. (''...'') ; I've been injured. : Nanage pettagide. (''...'') ; I need a doctor. : Nanage doctor beku. (''...'') ; Can I use your phone? : Nimma phone upayogisubahudha. (''...'')

Numbers

; 1 : ondhu (''...'') ; 2 : yeradu (''...'') ; 3 : mooru (''...'') ; 4 : naalku (''...'') ; 5 : aidhu (''...'') ; 6 : aaru (''...'') ; 7 : yeLu (''...'') ; 8 : yentu (''...'') ; 9 : ombattu (''...'') ; 10 : hathu (''...'') ; 11 : hannondu (''...'') ; 12 : hanneradu (''...'') ; 13 : hadimooru (''...'') ; 14 : hadinalku (''...'') ; 15 : hadinaidhu (''...'') ; 16 : hadinaru (''...'') ; 17 : hadinelu (''...'') ; 18 : hadinentu (''...'') ; 19 : hathombathu (''...'') ; 20 : ippathu (''...'') ; 21 : ippatha ondu (''...'') ; 22 : ippatha yeradu (''...'') ; 23 : ippatha mooru (''...'') ; 30 : muvathu (''...'') ; 40 : nalavathu (''...'') ; 50 : aivathu (''...'') ; 60 : arvathu (''...'') ; 70 : yapathu (''...'') ; 80 : embathu (''...'') ; 90 : tombathu (''...'') ; 100 : nooru (''...'') ; 200 : ennooru (''...'') ; 300 : munooru (''...'') ; 1000 : ondu savira (''...'') ; 2000 : yeradu savira (''...'') ; 1,000,000 : hathu laksha (''...'') ; 1,000,000,000 : nooru koti ; 1,000,000,000,000 : saavira koti ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : ankhi, ankhe (''...'') ; half : ardha (''...'') ; less : kammi (''...'') ; more : jasthi (''...'')

Time

; now : Iga (''...'') ; later : AmEle (''...'') ; before : modalu (''...'') ; morning : beLigge (''...'') ; afternoon : madhyAna (''...'') ; evening : saMje (''...'') ; night : rAtri (''...'')

Clock time

; one o'clock AM : rAtri oNdu ghaNTe (''...'') ; two o'clock AM : rAtri eraDu ghaNTe (''...'') ; noon : madhyAna hanneraDu (''...'') ; one o'clock PM : madhyAna oNdu ghaNTe (''...'') ; two o'clock PM : madhyAna eraDu ghaNTe (''...'') ; midnight : madhya rAtri (''...'')

Duration

; _____ minute(s) : _____ nimisha (''...'') ; _____ hour(s) : _____ gaNTe (''...'') ; _____ day(s) : _____ dina (''...'') ; _____ week(s) : _____ vAra (''...'') ; _____ month(s) : _____ tiNgaLu (''...'') ; _____ year(s) : _____ varsha (''...'')

Days

; today : ivattu (''...'') ; yesterday : ninne (''...'') ; tomorrow : nALe (''...'') ; this week : ee vAra (''...'') ; last week : kadE vAra , hodha vAra (''...'') ; next week : muMdina vAra (''...'')

; Sunday : ravi-vAra, bhaanu-vAra (''...'') ; Monday : sOma-vAra (''...'') ; Tuesday : maMgaLa-vAra (''...'') ; Wednesday : budha-vAra (''...'') ; Thursday : guru-vAra (''...'') ; Friday : shukra-vAra (''...'') ; Saturday : shani-vAra (''...'')

Months

''If speakers of the language commonly use a calendar other than the Gregorian, explain it here and list its months. See Hebrew phrasebook for an example.''

; January : January (''...'') ; February : February (''...'') ; March : March (''...'') ; April : April (''...'') ; May : May (''...'') ; June : June (''...'') ; July : July (''...'') ; August : August (''...'') ; September : September (''...'') ; October : October (''...'') ; November : November (''...'') ; December : December (''...'')

It is a hindu calendar where we follow the moon phases to indicate month, like a full moon day is the start of the month and a no-moon day is the end of the month.

Writing time and date

Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.

Colors

; black : kari, kaage banna(colour of a crow/raven) (''...'') ; white : bili (''...'') ; gray : gray, bhoodi banna (colour of ashes) (''...'') ; red : Kempu (''...'') ; blue : Neeli (''...'') ; yellow : HaLadi (''...'') ; green : Hasiru (''...'') ; orange : chandra (kiththaaLe(fruit)) (''...'') ; purple : nEraLe (''...'') ; brown : kandu (''...'')

Transportation

Bus and train

; How much is a ticket to _____? : ___ge ticket eshtu? (''...'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : ___ge ondu ticket kodi. (''...'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : Ee train/bus ellige hoguththade? (''...'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ge train/bus ellide? (''...'') ; Does this train/bus stop in _____? : Ee train/bus ____ alli nilluththaa? (''...'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Yaavaaga ee train/bus _____ ge horaduththade? (''...'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Yaavaaga ee bus baruththe? (''...'')

Directions

; How do I get to _____ ? : _____ge hogo dhaari heege?(''...'') ; ...the train station? : (''...'')railway stationge hege hoguvudhu? ; ...the bus station? : (''...'') bus stationge hege hoguvudhu? ; ...the airport? : (''...'') airportge hege hoguvudhu? ; ...downtown? : (''...'') petege hege hoguvudhu ; ...the youth hostel? : ...the youth hostel? (''...'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...the _____ hotel? (''...'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (''...'') ; Where are there a lot of... : Where are there a lot of... : ....yelli siguvudhu (''...'') ; ...hotels? : ...hotels? (''...'') ; ...restaurants? : ...restaurants? (''...'') ; ...bars? : ...bars? (''...'') ; ...sites to see? : ...sites to see? (''...'') ; Can you show me on the map? : map alli torustira? (''...'') ; street : street (''...'') ; Turn left. : Edakke thirugu. (''...'') ; Turn right. : Balakke thirugu. (''...'') ; left : Eda (''...'') ; right : Bala (''...'') ; straight ahead : Edurugade , mundhe hogi(''...'') ; towards the _____ : towards the _____ (''...'') ; past the _____ : _____ aada nanthara (''...'') ; before the _____ : _____ gintha modalu (''...'') ; Watch for the _____. : _____ kaagi nodukoli. (''...'') ; intersection : intersection (''...'') ; north : uththara (''...'') ; south : dhakshiNa (''...'') ; east : Poorva (''...'') ; west : Pashchima (''...'') ; uphill : uphill (''...'') ; downhill : downhill (''...'')

Taxi

; Taxi! : Taxi! (''...'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Take me to _____, please. (''...'')dayavittu,nannanu _____ karadukondi hogi ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ ge hogalu eshTu haNa bEkAgabahudu? get to _____? (''...'')_______ge aesthu charge madthidhra? ; Take me there, please. : nanna allige dayaviTTu karedukonDu hogi.

Lodging

; Do you have any rooms available? : illi iLidukoLLalu rooms iveya? ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : obbarige/ ibbarige illi iLidukoLLalu Enu dara? ; Does the room come with... : room alli ______ ideya(iveya)? ; ...bedsheets? : bedsheetgaLu? ; ...a bathroom? : bachchalu mane?? ; ...a telephone? : dooravANi? ; ...a TV? : ...a TV? ; May I see the room first? : nAnu modalu room (kONe) annu nODabahudA? ; Do you have anything quieter? : shAntavAdaddu? ; ...bigger? : doDDadu? ; ...cleaner? : innoo swachcha iruvantahaddu? ; ...cheaper? : swalpa kaDime beledu? ; OK, I'll take it. : Aytu, idanna togoLteeni ; I will stay for _____ night(s). : nAnu ________ divsa irteeni ; Can you suggest another hotel? : bEre hotel bagge salahe koDi ; Do you have a safe? : safe ideya? ; ...lockers? : ...lockers? ; Is breakfast/supper included? : ooTaddu sEri bill maaDteera? ; What time is breakfast/supper? : ooTada samaya hELi (beLagge mattu raatri du) ; Please clean my room. : nanna kONeyannu swachcha mAdisiri ; Can you wake me at _____? nannannu ________ ge ebbisalu aaguttadeya? ; I want to check out. : nAnu check out mADabEku

Money

; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (''...'') ; Do you accept British pounds? : Do you accept British pounds? (''...'') ; Do you accept credit cards? : Do you accept credit cards? (''...'') ; Can you change money for me? : Can you change money for me? (''...'') ; Where can I get money changed? : Where can I get money changed? (''...'') ; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Can you change a traveler's check for me? (''...'') ; Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (''...'') ; What is the exchange rate? : What is the exchange rate? (''...'') ; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (''...'')

Eating

; A table for one person/two people, please. : A table for one person/two people, please. (''...'') ; Can I look at the menu, please? : Can I look at the menu, please? (''...'') ; Can I look in the kitchen? : Can I look in the kitchen? (''...'') ; Is there a house specialty? : Is there a house specialty? (''...'') ; Is there a local specialty? : Is there a local specialty? (''...'') ; I'm a vegetarian. : Naanu shAKhahAri. ('''') ; I don't eat pork. : I don't eat pork. (''...'') ; I don't eat beef. : I don't eat beef. (''...'') ; I only eat kosher food. : I only eat kosher food. (''...'') ; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Can you make it "lite", please? (''...'') ; fixed-price meal : fixed-price meal (''...'') ; a la carte : a la carte (''...'') ; breakfast : thinDi ; lunch : oota ; tea (''meal'') : tea (''...'') ; supper : supper (''...'') ; I want _____. :_____ nanage beku ; I want a dish containing _____. : I want a dish containing _____. (''...'') ; chicken : koLi (''...'') ; beef : beef (''...'') ; fish : meenu (''...'') ; ham : ham (''...'') ; sausage : sausage (''...'') ; cheese : tuptha (''tuptha'') ; eggs : moTTe (''...'') ; salad : salad (''...'') ; (fresh) vegetables : (fresh) vegetables (''thaja tarakarigalu...'') ; (fresh) fruit : (fresh) hannu (''...'') ; bread : bread (''...'') ; toast : toast (''...'') ; noodles : noodles (''...'') ; rice : anna (''...'') ; beans : beans (''...'') ; May I have a glass of _____? : May I have a glass of _____? (''...'') ; May I have a cup of _____? : May I have a cup of _____? (''...'') ; May I have a bottle of _____? : May I have a bottle of _____? (''...'') ; coffee : kaapi ; tea (''drink'') : chaha (''...'') ; juice : juice (''...'') ; (bubbly) water : water (''...'') ; water : neeru (''...'') ; beer : beer (''...'') ; red/white wine : red/white wine (''...'') ; May I have some _____? : May I have some _____? (''...'') ; salt : uppu (''...'') ; black pepper : kari menasu (''...'') ; butter : beNNE ; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Excuse me, waiter? (''...'') ; I'm finished. : I'm finished. (''...'') ; It was delicious. : bahaLa channagithu. (''...'') ; Please clear the plates. : Please clear the plates. (''...'') ; The check, please. : The check, please. (''...'')

Bars

; Do you serve alcohol? : Do you serve alcohol? (''Neevu Yenne maarthira'') ; Is there table service? : Is there table service? (''...'') ; A beer/two beers, please. : A beer/two beers, please. (''...'') ; A glass of red/white wine, please. : A glass of red/white wine, please. (''...'') ; A pint, please. : A pint, please. (''...'') ; A bottle, please. : A bottle, please. (''...'') ; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ and _____, please. (''...'') ; whiskey : whiskey (''...'') ; vodka : vodka (''...'') ; rum : rum (''...'') ; water : water (''Neeru'') ; club soda : club soda (''...'') ; tonic water : tonic water (''...'') ; orange juice : orange juice (''...'') ; Coke (''soda'') : Coke (''...'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Do you have any bar snacks? (''...'') ; One more, please. : One more, please. (''...'') ; Another round, please. : Another round, please. (''...'') ; When is closing time? : When is closing time? (''...'')

Shopping

; Do you have this in my size? : Nanna aLathe yalli idhiya?? (''...'') ; How much is this? : idhakke yeshtu (''...'') ; That's too expensive. : thumba dhubhaari (''...'') ; Would you take _____? : Would you take _____? (''...'') ; expensive : dhubaari (''...'') ; cheap : cheap (''...'') ; I can't afford it. : I can't afford it. (''...'') ; I don't want it. : nanige beDa (''...'') ; You're cheating me. : mosa maDthidhira.(formal) (''...'') ; I'm not interested. : nanige asakthi illa (..) ; OK, I'll take it. : Ayithu, naanu tegedu kolluteeni. (''...'') ; Can I have a bag? : nanagondu cheela beekide? (''...'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : Do you ship (overseas)? (''...'') ; I need... : nanage beeku... (''...'') ; ...toothpaste. : ...toothpaste. (''...'') ; ...a toothbrush. : ...a toothbrush. (''...'') ; ...tampons. : ...tampons. (''...'') ; ...soap. : ...soap. (''...'') ; ...shampoo. : ...shampoo. (''...'') ; ...pain reliever. (''e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen'') :noVu nivaraka (''...'') ; ...cold medicine. : negaDi ge oushadhi (''...'') ; ...stomach medicine. : hotte ge oushadhi (''...'') ; ...a razor. : ...a razor. (''...'') ; ...an umbrella. : koDe, chathri (''...'') ; ...sunblock lotion. : ...sunblock lotion. (''...'') ; ...a postcard. : anche card (''...'') ; ...postage stamps. : anche cheeTi (''...'') ; ...batteries. : ...batteries. (''...'') ; ...writing paper. : ...writing paper. (''...'') ; ...a pen. : ...a pen. (''...'') ; ...English-language books. : ...Angla baasha pusthakagalu. (''...'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...English-language magazines. (''...'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...Ondu Angla Baashe vaartapatrike. (''...'') ; ...an English-English dictionary. : ...Angla - Angla Shabdhakosha. (''...'')

Driving

; I want to rent a car. : Naanu ondu car baadigege padeyalichchisuthene. ; Can I get insurance? : Naanu insurance padeyabahuda ; stop (''on a street sign'') : Nillu. ; one way : Ekamukha sanchara ; yield : yield (''...'') ; no parking : Nilugadeyalla ; speed limit : vega mithi ; gas (''petrol'') station : Indhana ThaaNa ; petrol : petrolu. Indhana ; diesel : dieselu. Indhana

Authority

; I haven't done anything wrong. : Naan yenu thapp maadilla. (''...'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : (''...'')thappu thilidukoLLuvudu ; Where are you taking me? : (''...'')nannanu yelli karkundu hoguthidhira? ; Am I under arrest? : (''...'') nannanu arrest maadtaideera? ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : (''...'') naanu America/Australia/Britain/Canada dinda bandiruve ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : (''...'') nanage America/Australia/Britain/Canada embassy/consulate jotege maathad beku ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : nanage lawyer jotege maathaad beku (''...'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : naanu eegle fine katbohuda? (''...'')