kannada phrasebook - travel guide
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Kannada phrasebook
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Kannada ( kannaa), a Dravidian language with some 50 million speakers, is anofficial language of India and the state language of Karnataka. It is also the languagewhich you will encounter in Bangalore, a city you might have heard of quite a bitrecently. It is also the language you will encounter if you visit the historically significantcities of Mysore and Hampi, so arming yourself with rudimentary knowledge ofKannada 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 asthe other South Indian languages Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Tulu. Theselanguages share many words, sentence structures and even expressions, whichmeans that if you pick up any one, your path to learning the others is considerablyeased.
Contemporary Kannada literature is the most successful in India, with India's highestliterary honor, the Jnanpith awards, having been conferred seven times uponKannada writers, which is the highest for any language in India. Based on the recommendations of the Committee of Linguistic Experts,appointed by the Ministry of Culture, the Government of India officially recognised Kannada as a classical language.
It is commonly held belief that Kannada is more accepting of Sanskrit loan words, learning conversational Hindi (Hindi language owes majorityof its vocabulary to Sanskrit) will help you pick up Kannada. This is just not true. Though Kannada literature has over the years accepted manySanskrit[/Prakrit languages] words, The conversational(colloquial) Kannada has a insignificant Sanskrit(/any other Indo-european language)influence.
In plain and simple words, knowing "Conversational Hindi" / "Conversational Marathi" OR "Knowledge of Sanskrit" might not helplearning/speaking day-2-day conversational Kannada with the native speakers, unless a native speaker whom you are speaking to has priorknowledge of Hindi/Marathi.
Though the Dravidian languages like Telugu and Tamil share lot of words with Kannada. The grammatical structure (colloquial speech) ofthese languages are quite similar. A person with prior knowledge of "Conversational Telugu" or "Conversational Tamil" may find it easier tolearn Kannada. But, when it comes to conversing, the pronounciation of Kannada w.r.t the other dravidian languages like Tamil and Telugu isquite different and the words/sentences shared between these sister languages are often mutually unintelligible.
PronunciationMost English speakers find Kannada pronunciation rather challenging, as there are 10 vowels, 2 diphthongs and 34 consonants, employing alarge number of distinctions not found in English.
Kannada AlphabetsVowels (i) (i:) (e) (e:) (a) (a:) (o) (o:) (u) (u:) (ai) (au)
Transliteration i I, ii e E, ee, ae, yA a A, aa o O, oo, aw, wA u U, uu ai, ay au, av
ISO notation i e a o u ai au
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voiceless voicelessaspirate
voiced voicedaspirate
nasal
Velars [=ka] Transliteration: ka
[=kha] Transliteration: Ka, kha
[=ga] Transliteration: ga
[=gha] Transliteration: Ga, gha
[=nga] Transliteration: ~ga
Palatals [=ca] Transliteration: ca, cha
[=cha] Transliteration: Ca, Cha
[=ja] Transliteration: ja
[=jha] Transliteration: Ja, jha
[=a, nja] Transliteration: ~ja
Retroflex [=a] Transliteration: Ta
[=ha] Transliteration: Tha
[=a] Transliteration: Da
[=ha] Transliteration: Dha
[=a] Transliteration: Na
Dentals [=ta] Transliteration: ta
[=tha] Transliteration: tha
[=da] Transliteration: da
[=dha] Transliteration: dha
[=na] Transliteration: na
Labials [=pa] Transliteration: pa
[=pha] Transliteration: Pa, pha
[=ba] Transliteration: ba
[=bha] Transliteration: Ba, bha
[=ma] Transliteration: ma
Glides/Laterals/Approximants [=ya] Transcribed: ya
[=ra] Transcribed: ra
[=a] Transcribed: La
[=la] Transcribed: la
[=va] Transcribe: va,wa
Fricatives [=a] Transcribe: Sa,sha
[=sa] Transcribed: sa
[=a] Transcribed: Sha
[=ha] Transcribed: ha
[-] Transcribed: -
VowelsThe key distinction is the difference between short and long vowels. In this phrase book, the short vowels are noted with small letters [a, e, i,o, u] and long vowels are noted with capital letters [A, E, I, O, U]. You will often come across non-standard romanizations, noted in table belowwhen applicable.
Letter 00 Pronunciation Pronunciation with Template:IPA
IAST equiv.
ITRANS equiv.
English equivalent
1 Template:IPA Template:IPA i i short close front unrounded vowel: e in england
1 Template:IPA Template:IPA I long close front unrounded vowel: ee in feet
3 Template:IPA Template:IPA e e short close-mid front unrounded vowel: e in bed
3 Template:IPA Template:IPA E long close-mid front unrounded vowel: a in bane (some speakers)
Template:IPA Template:IPA a a short near-open central vowel: u in bunny
4 Template:IPA Template:IPA A long open back unrounded vowel: a in father
36 Template:IPA Template:IPA o o short close-mid back rounded vowel: o in no (some speakers)
36 Template:IPA Template:IPA O long close-mid back rounded vowel: o in bone (some speakers)
7 Template:IPA Template:IPA u u short close back rounded vowel: oo in foot
6 Template:IPA Template:IPA U long close back rounded vowel: oo in cool
3 Template:IPA Template:IPA ai ai a long diphthong: i in ice, i in kite (Canadian and Scottish English)
4 Template:IPA Template:IPA au au a long diphthong: Similar to the ou in house (Canadian English)
DiphthongsLetter Transliteration English equivalent
ai, ay as in idea.
au, av as in out.
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ConsonantsMany Kannada consonants come in three different forms: aspirated, unaspirated and retroflex.
Aspiration means "with a puff of air", and is the difference between the sound of the letter "p" in English pin (aspirated) and spit (unaspirated).In this phrasebook, aspirated sounds are spelled with an h (so English "pin" would be phin) and unaspirated sounds without it (so "spit" is stillspit). Kannada aspiration is quite forceful and it's OK to emphasize the puff.
Kannada retroflex consonants, on the other hand, are not really found in English. They should be pronounced with the tongue tip curled back.
Letter Transliteration English equivalent
:, k, ka as in skip.
;, kh, kha as in sinkhole.
, , a as in sing. Rarely used.
?, c, ca as in church.
@, ch, cha as in pinchhit.
A, j, ja as in jump.
B, jh, jha as in dodge her.
C, , a as in canyon. Rarely used.
D, a as in tick. Retroflex, but still a "hard" t sound similar to English.
E, ha as in lighthouse. Retroflex
F, a as in doom. Retroflex
G, ha as in mudhut. Retroflex
H, a retroflex n. Retroflex
I, t, ta does not exist in English. more dental t, with a bit of a th sound. Softer than an English t.
J, th, tha aspirated version of the previous letter, not as in thanks or the.
K, d, da dental d.
L, dh, dha aspirated version of the above.
M, n, na dental n.
0, p, pa as in spin.
N, ph, pha as in u'ph'ill.
O, b, ba as in be.
P, bh, bha as in abhor.
Q, m. ma as in mere.
R, y, ya as in yet.
S, r, ra as in Spanish pero, a tongue trip. Don't roll as in Spanish rr, German or Scottish English.
T, l, la as in lean.
U, v, va as in Spanish vaca, between English v and w, but without the lip rounding of an English w. (IPA: ).
V, a as in shoot.
W, a almost indistinguishable retroflex of the above. slightly more aspirated. Used only in Sanskrit loan words.
X, s, sa as in see.
Y, h, ha as in him.
Z, ; , a Retroflex l.
Kannada syllables:: ;; > ?? ?? AA BB CC DD EE FF GG HH II JJ KK LL MM 00 NN OO PP QQ
k kh g gh ~g c ch j jh ~j T Th D Dh N t th d dh n p ph b bh m
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i [ \ ] ^ ` a b c d e f g h i j k l m 1 n o p q
i: [ \ ] ^ ` a b c d e f g h i j k l m 1 n o p q
e r s t u w x y z { | } ~ 3
e: r s t u w x y z { | } ~ 3
a
a: 4
o r s t u w x y z { | } ~ 36 6
o: r s t u w x y z { | } ~ 36 6
u 7 7
u: 6 6
ai r s t u w x y z { | } ~ 3
au 4
Kannada syllables ContinuedRR SS ZZ TT UU WW VV XX YY
y r L l v Sh sh s h
i
i:
e
e:
a
a:
o 6
o: 6
u 7
u: 6
ai
au
Kannada conjunctsSuccessive consonants lacking a vowel in between them may physically join together as a conjunct or ligature.
Consonantal conjunct examples>> CC HH MM QQ
~g ~j N n m
: k : ? c ? D T D I t I 0 p 0
; kh ; @ ch @ E Th E J th J N ph N
< g < A j A F D F K d K O b O
= gh = B jh B G Dh G; L dh L P bh P
...
SS SS SS SS SS
r r r r r
: k : ? c ? D T D I t I 0 p 0
; kh ; @ ch @ E Th E J th J N ph N
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Ta Ta Ta Ta Ta
ta ta ta ta ta
pa pa pa pa pa
...
RR SS ZZ TT UU
y r L l v
ga ga ga ga ga
ja ja ja ja ja
Da Da Da Da Da
da da da da da
ba ba ba ba ba
...
:: ?? DD II 00
k c T t p
ya ya ya ya ya
ra ra ra ra ra
La La La La La
la la la la la
va va va va va
...
-
Na Na Na Na Na
na na na na na
ma ma ma ma ma
...
> CC HH MM QQ
~g ~j N n m
~ga ~ga ~ga ~ga ~ga
~ja ~ja ~ja ~ja ~ja
Na Na Na Na Na
na na na na na
ma ma ma ma ma
...
>> CC HH MM QQ
~g ~j N n m
ka ka ka ka ka
ca ca ca ca ca
Ta Ta Ta Ta Ta
ta ta ta ta ta
pa pa pa pa pa
...
>> CC HH MM QQ
~g ~j N n m
ya ya ya ya ya
ra ra ra ra ra
La La La La La
la la la la la
va va va va va
...
>> CC HH MM QQ
~g ~j N n m
Sa Sa Sa Sa Sa
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Sha Sha Sha Sha ra
sa sa sa sa sa
ha ha ha ha ha
...
>> CC HH MM QQ
~g ~j N n m
ga ga ga ga ga
ja ja ja ja ja
Da Da Da Da Da
da da da da da
ba ba ba ba ba
...
- VV WW XX YY
- S Sh s h
ka - ka ka ka ka
ca - ca ca ca ca
Ta - Ta Ta Ta Ta
ta - ta ta ta ta
pa - pa pa pa pa
...
- VV WW XX YY
- S Sh s h
ga - ga ga ga ga
ja - ja ja ja ja
Da - Da Da Da Da
da - da da da da
ba - ba ba ba ba
...
- VV WW XX YY
- S Sh s h
ya - ya ya ya ya
ra - ra ra ra ra
La - La La La La
la - la la la la
va - va va va va
...
- VV WW XX YY
- S Sh s h
Sa - Sa Sa Sa Sa
Sha - Sha Sha Sha Sha
sa - sa sa sa sa
va - va va va va
...
Complex consonantal conjunct examples
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Common signs
The signs are always accompanied by English, butjust in case:
OPEN k "teredide"
CLOSED ` "muccide"
ENTRANCE r [] "oLakke [dAri]"
EXIT r [] "horakke [dAri]"
PUSH [ "nUkiri"
kkha khya ktya ktva kvya kShma ktrya
::
ghma ghra ghnya ~gkta ~gkya ~jrya ~gktya
; ; ; >>; cCha jjha trya cChra j~jya ~jcma ~jjya
; ;
Kannada Phrases
Cultural NotesGreetings: There are no time elemental greetings in Kannada such as good morning, good afternoon, etc. And each language has its owngreetings. It is considered very gracious to address a person by their respective greetings. In India, Namaskra is the most ubiquitousgreeting, and though of Sanskrit origin is now mostly used all across India. It is said with hands folded and a small gesture of bowing.Namaskra literally means "I bow to you." Namaste has the same meaning, but is used less often in Kannada. After meeting someone for thefirst time nimmanna kaNDu bahaLa khushi yitu [m ] may be said, meaning "I am delighted/happy to see you"
Civilities: In Western cultures saying phrases like please, thank you, you're welcome, excuse me, sorry, etc. are so ingrained into them froma young age that they use these phrases without a second thought. Not so for Indians. In India, saying such phrases in an inappropriatecircumstance might even embarrass the person, or cheapen the gravity of the phrase itself. These phrases are only said in a sincere sense.For example, don't say dhanyavda [] / nimminda bahaLa upakra vyitu [mq ] (thank you) after a clerk handsyou your grocery bag, but don't forget to use it when someone goes out of their way to do something nice for you. Sometimes English wordsthemselves are used; due to the British colonial influence, especially in urban areas and among the upper class. In this case use them as youwould in English. In India, a majority of times these kind of phrases/sentiments are merely communicated through body language rather thanverbally. To show your thanks, a simple smile will do the trick. Other common gestures include the infamous "head bobble"; and a handgesture made by swiftly swinging the wrist so your palm is facing the sky and your forefingers slightly elongated.
Prefixes & Suffixes: While referring to a person For majority of words r () may be added as a suffix to give it a more polite tone. The r worditself could be used to refer a person. For Example, Mr. Murray please come over here may be said as Murray [ rI Murray barriilli]. The suffix avaru is used with a person's name as a sign of respect. For Example: Mr. Murray is often referred to as Murray avaru. Fewmore suffixes which are indispensable are avanu [] avaLu [] and avaru []. With nouns it gives the meaning "the person(he, she)that does" and with verbs, it indicates something is happening. Examples:
noun shop (f angaDi) + avanu = shopkeeper (f... angaDiyavanu)verb to see ( nODu) + avaru = onlookers ( ... nODuvavaru)
English Loan Words: The British colonial influence spread into the language itself, and this continues today with American culture beingexported throughout the world. So, an English word or phrase may almost always be inserted into any Kannada sentence. You will often hearIndians, whom while talking in their native languages, pepper their sentences with English words. English loan words are particularly used formodern inventions/technologies, so words like TV, computer and microwave are the same as in English apart from the slight change ofaccent. However; this is mostly in the cities, and learning Kannada will have been all the more rewarding when in rural or non-tourist areas, aswell as allowing you to communicate with a wider variety of people in the cities.
Basics
Negatives
English Kannada Transliteration
Don't want bEDa
No, No, [I don't want that] , , [K < ] bEDa, bEDa, [ad nanagbEDa]
don't have illa
No, No, [he hasn't comeyet]
, , [M k]
illa, illa, [avan innu bandilla]
no,not that alla
No, No, [that's not right] , ! [K ] alla, alla, [ad sari'alla]
Don't know to dosomething
baralla
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"taLLiri"PULL
"eLeyiri" ] "jaggiri"
PRESS (the button) q "adumiri"
TOILET "shaucAlaya" f "kAlmaDi tyAva" ` "uccilu"
BATHROOM mS "nIr'mane"o "abbimane" ` "baccilu"
MEN "gaNDasaru" 7 "puruSharu"
WOMEN "hengasaru" "mahiLeyaru"
NO SMOKING [] D ] "[illi] sigarET sEduvahAgilla" 4 ml] "dhUmapAnaniShEdhisalAgide"
TO LET ftt "bADigege"
NO ADMISSIONt ] "oLage baruva hAgilla" "oLa baralu appaNe illa" "pravESavilla"
NO ENTRANCEr "oLakke dAriyilla"
NO EXITr "horakke dAriyilla"
NO THROUGH WAY[] "[munde] dAriyilla"
FORBIDDEN[] ml] "[pravEsha]niShEdhisalAgide"
mADi! Do! Please Do it!
One of the most useful words to know is mADi. It is averb and it can also be used with some words tocreate verbs in Kannada. For Example: walkf,restf etc.,
Another common all-purpose word is sari. It is used inthe same manner, meaning: OK/all right,yes/understood (affirmation), right/correct, etc. Instedof the word sari another word Ayitu could also beused to mean OK/all right/I agree.
something
Can't [do] [F]:() [mAD]'Oke Agalla
No idea ik; ti; tiLidilla; gottilla
I dont understand i; <
-
yes, its right) h~ju
Denial (colloq. no, notright)
unh~ju
Do you speak English? m7 ]V f? nIvu inglish mAtADtIra?
Is there someone herewho speaks English?
]V ?
illi yArigAdarU inglishbaruttA?
I don't speak Kannada. t nanage kannaDa barOlla.
I can't speak Kannada. t }rk
nanage kannaDa mAtADOkebarOdilla.
I speak some Kannada. t ()
nanage salpa kannaDabartade(barutte)
I don't understand. t i; t ;
nanage tiLi'lilla; nanage arthaAgalilla;
Speak a bit slowly m] f; t f;
salpa nidhAna'vAgi mAtADi;salpa mellage mAtADi;
Come again(singular) matte bA
Come again(plural, withrespect)
; ;
innomme barri; matte barri;
What does "..." mean? "..." ? "..." idara artha Enu?
What does it say? "..."
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Nice to see you santOSha'vAyitu
Yes 7, havdu, haudu
No alla
Not there illa
Help! f sahAya mAdi
Help! Help! (save my life!) 4f! 4f! kApADi! kApADi!
save me M 4 nann'anna kApADu
How do you doEnglish Kannada Transliteration
how do you do (plural, with respect)
m M S M q
EnriEn sAr En svAmi
how do you do(singular, with respect)(used by elders for any young male)
Enappa
how do you do(singular, with respect)(used by elders for any young female)
(Usage: South Karnataka) (Usage: North Karnataka) Enamma, Enavva
how do you do(singular, with no respect) (indicates familiarity; used for males)
/M
Enamma/EnleEn kaNoEnO
how do you do(singular, with no respect)(indicates familiarity; used for females)
M q
En kaNeEnEEnammi
how do you do(singular, to be used only for friends) (taboo. if used for females)
EnalE
how do you do(singular, to be used only for male friends)
EnalO
How's it going? How are things
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That is all aShTE
There is plenty KW bEkAd'aShT'ide
Please take t, t tagOLi, tagOLri
Please see / look f, f nODi, nODri
Please come quickly, its getting late , bEga barri, hottAytu
It is tolerable S] sumAr'Agide
Not bad S] sumAr'Agide
[I am] very tired [
- How is your family? (Are all well at home?) T w
- Can you[guys] come there? m
- When will the ordered goods arrive? ORDER fK GOODS
-
How do you do [sir]M [];M S []; M q [];
Enri[samAcAra];En sAr [samAcAra];En svAmi [samAcAra];
what do you want from me [sir]m [[];M S [[]; M q [[];
Enri[En'AgabEkittu];En sAr [En'AgabEkittu];En svAmi [En'AgabEkittu];
what is it [sir]m [[];M S []; M q [];
Enri [Enadu];En sAr [Enadu];En svAmi [Enadu];
Term of address for any individual Hello Mr./Sir Hello Ms./Madam etc.,
rI;
Long time no see k7 [m7]f;
tumba divasagaL'Adavu [nIvu]kaNDilla;
Long time I haven't seen/met you k7 [mQM]f;
tumba divasagaL'Adavu [nimm'an]kaNDilla;
What's your name (singular)? mM S ? ninn' hesar Enu?
What's your name (plural, with respect)? mQ S ? nimm' hesar Enu?
What's your name (plural, with greater respect)? Q S ? tamm' hesar Enu?
My name is ... M .... nann' hesaru ....
Where are you from?(singualr, no respect) mM Kk? nIn ell'inda band'idd'Iya?
Where are you from?(plural, with respect) mU Kk? nIv ell'inda band'idd'Ira?
Where are you from?(plural, with greater respect) U Kk? tAv ell'inda band'idd'Ira?
I'm from ... M ... Kkm nAn' ... linda band'iddIni
Goodbye (when leaving, a individual) Sim;
-
Happy New year hosa varShada SubhASaya;
Please, I beg you! [help me] im! [help f]; damm'ayya antIni! [HELP mADi];
Call the Police! 36XM ; pOlIs'an karIri;
When will you come [back] (singular) I < i? matt' yAvAg bartIya?
When will you come [back] (plural, with respect also referring to morethan one individual)
I < i? matt' yAvAg bartIra?
When did you come? (singular) < ? yAvAg bande?
When did you come? (plural, with respect, also referring to more than oneindividual)
< K? yAvAg band'ri?
What did you eat? (singular) [mM] M i? [nIn] En tinde?
What did you eat? (plural, with respect, also referring to more than oneindividual)
[mU] M iK? [nIv] En tind'ri?
Come Later (singular) T ; AmEl bA;
Come Later (plural, with respect, also referring to more than oneindividual)
T ; AmEl barri;
Excuse me (getting attention)[Lit.: sir/madam, look here]
T f; f T();
ill nODi;nODi ill(i);
Excuse me (getting attention)[Lit.: sir/madam, listen here]
T r;r T();
ill kELi;kELi ill(i);
Im Sorry (begging pardon) [m] 4, q; [nann'inda] tappAytu, kShamisi;
Its Expensive ; d ;
tumba dubAri Aytu;tumba tuTTi Aytu;
I don't want it < ; nanag bEDa;
I want it < ; nanag bEku;
I do want it < r; nanag bEkE'bEku;
Look out! y4!; 4! jOpAna!; jwApAna!
I need your help mQ help ]; nimm' HELP bEkAgide;
I don't know [
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short sentencesEnglish Kannada Transliteration
Just a minute mq ond' nimiSha
Just coming bande
Do you want some more? ? inn'ashTu bEkA?
Do you need anything else? ? bEre EnAdarU bEkA?
As you like m m
nimma iShTa nimma iShTadante Agali
(No thanks) Don't want anything more innEnU bEDa
(No thanks) Don't want anything else bErEnU bEDa
not at all illavE illa
for ladies only t hengasarige mAtra
for gents only t gaNDasarige mAtra
To let ftt bADigege
No admission pravESavilla
Don't talk f f
mAtADa bEDr mATADa bAradu mAtanADa bEDi
No smoking D ] D
sigarET sEdu'hAgillasigarET sEda'bAradu
No spitting ]
uguLu'hAgilla uguLa'bAradu
No parking f m] m}t
gADi nillisu'hAgilla vAhana nilugaDege sthaLavilla
exit r horakke
entrance r oLakke
InterrogativesEnglish Kannada Transliteration
how/of what kind? , entA, entha
how/in what way? t, t, t hyAnge, hyAge, hEge
how much/many? , eShTu, esTu
what? , Enu, yEnu
when? yAvAga
where? , elli, yelli
who?, which of these(men)? yAru
which of these (things)? 7 yAvudu
why? r, r Eke, yAke
what for r, r Enakke, yadakke
ProblemsEnglish Kannada Transliteration
I am not feeling wellt w]/q, M q, t
nanage maiyalli cennAgilla/ArAmilla,nA ArAmilla , nanage huShArilla
Leave me aloneMr t r oof, t d] r oof,
nann'aShTakke nanage irAke biTTubiDi, nange obbaNTiyAgi irOdakke biTTubiDi
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M[] 4ft [M] r oD[]of nann[a] pADige nanna[n] irOdakke biTT[u]'biDi
Don't touch me! M nann'anna muTTa bEda
I'll call the police 36Xt im pOlIs'ge karItIni
Stop! Thief! R! m, ! ! Ey! nillu, kaLLa! kaLLa!
Thief! Thief! catch him! ! ! f ... elli, yelli
I need your help mq [/help] nimm'inda ondu sahAya/HELP AgabEku
I'm lost 1km, t nA dAri tappiddIni, nanage raste maretu hOyitu
I lost my bag < nanna byAg kaLedu hOyitu
I lost my wallet D nanna vyAleT kaLedu hOyitu
I'm sick
t , t q,
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Body parts
head tale
facemuka
eyeskaNNu
nosemUgu
throatgaNTalu
chingadda
neck kuttige it
shoulderhegalu
chestede
waistsoNTa
armstOLu
wristmaNi kaTTuh
fingersberaLu
handkair
palmangait
elbowmoNakair
buttocksAsana
thightoDe}
kneemoNakAlu
legskAlu
footangAlu
I'm allergic to seafood(fish) < q < q iK b
nanag mInu oggadu nanag mInu tind're alarji
Explaining symptoms
English Transcribed Kannada
I feel pain in ... . : ... all nOvu. ... T 7.
head ache tale nOvu 7
stomach ache hoTTE nOvu { 7
stomach cramps hoTTe murita {
loose motion hoTTe kaLata {
body aches mai-kai nOvu -r 7
Feeling unwell ArOgya[-bhAgya]sariyilla
[-]
Having a fever jvara idejvara bandide
k
Coughing a lot. : kemmu hattide r i
Feeling listless [mai-kai] sustu ide [-rT]
Feeling nauseated vAkarike barta ide r
Feeling dizzy tale suttu[tta] ide tale tirugtaa ide
[] i
Having the chills naDuka idemai-kai naDuka
-r
Swallowed something EnO nungidIni ]km
Bleeding rakta sOrtaa ide
Broken bone mULe muridide k
sprain in my legs kAlu uLukide [
He/she is unconscious eccara tappiddAne 1
Burned suTTide d
Trouble breathing usirATadalli tond're ide K
Heart attack HEART ATTACK ede nOvu
HEART ATTACK 7
Vision worsened. (cannot seewell)
kaNNu [sariyAgi]kANtillakaNN[ige] kANistillakaNN[ige] sariyAgikANtilla
[]] hH[t] hH[t] ]h
Cannot hear wellkivi [sariyAgi] kELtillakivi kEListillakivi[ge] sariyAgi kELtilla
[ []] r[ r[[t] ] r
Nose bleeds a lot mUginalli rakta sOrtide ] i
Words from human Anatomy & Physiology
English Transcribed Kannada English Transcribed Kannada
front part of the foot: mungAlu hamstring: hintoDe }
abdomen: kibboTTe [{ navel: hokkaLu
navel cord: hokkaLa huri heel: hingudi himmaDi
k f
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tooth: hallu molars: davaDe hallu }
fangs: kOre hallu r gums: vasaDu
tartar of the teeth: haLase pAcu
4
enamel of the teeth: vajra gAre
canine tooth: SUlada hallu eye tooth: sUlada hallu
forehead: haNe serum, fat: basekobbu
r
calf of the foot: mIna khaNDa q nostril: mUgina hoLLe mUgina soLLe
] ]
ridge of the nose: mUgina tole ] sides of the nose: mUgina Sile ]
marrow: majje y knees: maNDi f
thumb: hebbeTTu forefinger: tOr beraLu S
toe: kAl beraLu T back: bennu
serum of the flesh: neNa tendon: nara
jaw: davaDe } tounge: nAlige t
crown of the head: netti i occiput: heDatale
forearm: mungai t joint: kIlu [
drum of the ear: kivi Anaka kivi tammaTe
[ [ {
lobe of the ear: kivi Ale kivi sOne
[ [
rim of the ear: kivi aragu [ pupil: kaNNina pApekaNNina kariguDDe
h 43h }
the white of the eye: kaNNina biLiguDDe h o} temples: kaNNatalekaNatale
eyelid: kaNNeveeve
socket of the eye: kankuNi h
bone: eluvumULe
7
brain: meduLu
NumbersThe numerals used to write in decimal are called Indo-Arabic numerals. Developed in India, they were borrowed by the Arabs, and graduallyspread to Europe. The similarities are hard to miss. Here are their respective numerals.
English Numeral Kannada Numeral Kannada Transliteration
0 sonne
1 ondu
2 eraDu
3 mUru
4 nAlku
5 , aidu, aydu
6 Aru
7 ELu
8 eNTu
9 ombattu
Numeral Kannada Transliteration Numeral Kannada Transliteration Numeral Kannada Transliteration
11 M,
hannondu 21 I,
ippattondu 31 I,
muvattondu
12 M,
hanneraDu 22 I,
ippatteraDu 32 I,
muvatteraDu
13 k, hadimUru 23 I, ippatmUru 33 I, muvatmUru
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13k
hadimUru 23
ippatmUru 33
muvatmUru
14 k,k
hadinAlku 24 I,
ippatnAlku 34 I,
mUvatnAlku
15 k,k
hadinaidu 25 I,
ippattaidu 35 I,
mUvattaidu
16 k, k hadinAru 26 I,
ippattAru 36 I,
mUvattAru
17 k, k hadinELu 27 I,
ippattELu 37 I,
mUvattELu
18 k,k
hadineNTu 28 I,
ippatteNTu 38 I,
mUvatteNTu
19 I,
hattombattu 29 I,
ippattombattu 39 I,
mUvattombattu
Numeral Kannada Transliteration Numeral Kannada Transliteration Numeral Kannada Transliteration
41 I,
nalavattondu 51 I,
aivattondu 61 I,
aravattondu
42 I,
nalavatteraDu 52 I,
aivatteraDu 62 I,
aravatteraDu
43 I,
nalavatmUru 53 I,
aivatmUru 63 I,
aravatmUru
44 I,
nalavatnAlku 54 I,
aivatnAlku 64 I,
aravatnAlku
45 I,
nalavattaidu 55 I,
aivattaidu 65 I,
aravattaidu
46 I,
nalavattAru 56 I,
aivattAru 66 I,
aravattAru
47 I, nalavattELu 57 I, aivattELu 77 I,
aravattELu
48 I,
nalavatteNTu 58 I,
aivatteNTu 68 I,
aravatteNTu
49 I,
nalavattombattu 59 I,
aivattombattu 69 I,
aravattombattu
Numeral Kannada Transliteration Numeral Kannada Transliteration Numeral Kannada Transliteration
71 I,
eppattondu 81 I,
embattondu 91 I,
tombattondu
72 I,
eppatteraDu 82 I,
embatteraDu 92 I,
tombatteraDu
73 I,
eppatmUru 83 I,
embatmUru 93 I,
tombatmUru
74 I,
eppatnAlku 84 I,
embatnAlku 94 I,
tombatnAlku
75 I,
eppattaidu 85 I,
embattaidu 95 I,
tombattaidu
76 I,
eppattAru 86 I,
embattAru 96 I,
tombattAru
77 I,
eppattELu 87 I,
embattELu 97 I,
tombattELu
78 I,
eppatteNTu 88 I,
embatteNTu 98 I,
tombatteNTu
79 I,
eppattombattu 89 I,
embattombattu 99 I,
tombattombattu
Numeral Kannada Transliteration
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100 nUru
200 , innUru, eraDu nUru
300 , munnUru, mUru nUru
400 , nAnnUru, nAlku nUru
500 , , , ainUru, aynUru, aidu nUru, aydu nUru
600 S, Ar'nUru, Aru nUru
700 Z, EL'nUru, ELu nUru
800 , eNTnUru, eNTu nUru
900 , , ombainUru, ombaynUru, ombattu nUru
1000 , sAvira, ondu sAvira
2000 eraDu sAvira
3000 mUru sAvira
1,00,000 ondu lakSha
1,00,00,000 rd ondu kOTi
1,000,000 qM, q million'u
1,000,000,000 oM, o billion'u
1,000,000,000,000 dM, d Trillion'u
1 half ardha
less f kaDime
more , jAsti, heccu
number _____ (train, bus, etc.) ... nambar _____
OrdinalsEnglish Kannada Kannada Transliteration
1st , ond'anE, modal'anE
2nd eraD'anE
3rd mUr'anE
4th nAlk'anE
5th aida'anE
6th Ar'anE
7th EL'anE
8th eNT'anE
9th ombatt'anE
10th hatt'anE
11th hannond'anE
MultiplicationEnglish Kannada Transliteration
twofold f, eraDar'aShTu
threefold mUrar'aShTu
fourfold nAlkar'aShTu
fivefold aidar'aShTu
sixfold Arar'aShTu
sevenfold ELar'aShTu
eightfold eNTar'aShTu
ninefold ombattar'aShTu
tenfold hattar'aShTu
hundredfold nUrar'aShTu
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FrequencyEnglish Kannada Transliteration
Once
ond'salaond'sAri
twice
eraDu salaeraDu sAri
thrice
mUru salamUru sAri
four time
nAlku salanAlku sAri
five time
aidu salaaidu sAri
everytimei i
prati salaprati sAriyAvAgalu
sometimes
ondondu salaondondu sAriommomme
oftenKt
hagalellamElind'mEleAgAgge
Many a times7 7 6
halavu salahalavu sArihalavomme,
fewtimesr7 r7 r6
kelavu salakelavu sArikelavomme
dailyi kkk
prati dinadinAludinAgalu
weeklyi rr
prati vAravArakkommevArakke ondu sala
monthlyi iitit
prati tingaLutingaLigommetingaLige ondu sala
yearlyi rr
prati varShavarShakkommevarShakke ondu sala
AggregationEnglish Kannada Transliteration
both (persons) ibbaru
both (things) eraDU
All three (persons) k
mUrU mandimUru jana
All four (things) k
nAlkU mandinAlkU jana
All hattu (persons) k
hattu mandi
All ella
haundreds of nUrAru
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thousands of sAvirAru
lakhs of
lakShAnu gaTTalelakShAnu'lakSha
crores of rrrd
kOTyAnu gaTTalekOTyAnu'kOTi
TimeEnglish Kannada Transliteration
now , , IgaLe, Iga, IgalE
later AmEle
before modalu
morning ] , , t beLagina jAva, munjAne, beLigge
afternoon madyAnna
evening y, sanje, sAyankAla
night , i rAtre, rAtri
Clock time
English Kannada Transliteration
one o'clock AM { i Ondu gaNTe rAtri
two o'clock AM { i eraDu gaNTe rAtri
noon madyAnnada hottu
one o'clock PM { madyAnna ondu gaNTe
two o'clock PM { madyAnna eraDu gaNTe
midnight , i naDu rAtre, madya rAtri
at night , i rAtre hottu, rAtri hottu
during day time ] , t beLagina hottu, beLigge
Duration
English Kannada Transliteration
minute(s) mq nimiSha
hour(s) { gaNTe
day(s) k, k, k disa, divasa, dina
week(s) vAra
month(s) i tingaLu
year(s) varSha
Days
English Kannada Transliteration
Today ivattu
Yesterday m ninne
Tomorrow nALe
Day before yesterday monne
Day after tomorrow f nADiddu
Week vAra
This week I vAra
Last week}
kaDE vArahOda vArakaLeda vAra
Next week k
barO vAramundina vAra
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Two weeks eraDu vAra
Month i tingaLu
The Hindu days of the week are each ruled by a planet, and corresponding exactly to ancient cultures in the West, i.e. Sunday = bhnu-vra(Lord Sun's day [lit. time or period]). Thursday/O.N. orsdagr, Thor's day = Guru-vra (Lord Jupiter's day), Saturday/Saturn's day = ani's day= Shani-vra(Lord Saturn's day), etc.
Day Kannada Transliteration
Sunday bhAnu-vAra (Sun's Day)
Monday sOma-vAra (Moon's Day)
Tuesday mangaLa-vAra (Mars's Day)
Wednesday budha-vAra (Mercury's Day)
Thursday guru-vAra (Jupiter's Day)
Friday shukra-vAra (Venus's Day)
Saturday m shani-vAra (Saturn's Day)
MonthsIndia has two main calendars in use. The Western (Gregorian) calendar is used for day to day and business affairs, and the Hindu calendar isused by religious authorities for deciding any religious/cultural events.
Gregorian Calendar
Name Kannada Transliteration
January janavari
February febravari
March ` mArci
April 1T Epril
May mE
June M jUn
July julai
August X AgasT
September 3S sepTembar
October rS akTObar
November S navembar
December fS Disembar
Hindu Calendar
...
Writing the time and date
The Time is written exactly as in English, that is hours followed by minutes.
12:45 p.m. will thus be t, 12[] { 45[] mq(beLagge, 12[hanneraDu] gaNTe 45[nalavattaidu] nimiSha),
12:45 a.m. will thus be i, 12[] { 45[] mq(rAtri, 12[hanneraDu] gaNTe 45[nalavattaidu] nimiSha),
Note: { (gaNTe) would indicate something like "o'clock" in English . mq (nimiSha) would indicate "minutes." in English.
The Date is also written exactly as in English
For example: Date: 03-06-2010 would be written as k: 03-06-2010 would be read as 03 - 6 i - 2010 [3nE tArIkhu-6nE tingaLu-2010nE isavi].
Note: (tArIkhu) would indicate something like "Date" in English; i(tingaLu) would indicate "Month" in English; (isavi) wouldindicate something like (A.D) in English.
Colors
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Color Kannada Transliteration
color baNNa
colorful ' baNNabaNNada
colorless baNNa'illada
black coloured 7 ]
kari baNNada kappu baNNada kAgina baNNada
white colour o biLi baNNa
red coloured r7 h
kempu baNNada syANi baNNada
pink, rosy colour o gulAbi baNNa
orange coloured [ kittaLe baNNada
saffron colour r kEsari baNNa
yellow coloured k
arishina baNNada haLadi baNNada
green colour w
hasiru baNNa pacce baNNa
blue coloured m nIli baNNada
dark blue colour 7m kappunIli baNNa
purple colour nEraLe baNNa
brown coloured
kandu baNNada junja baNNada
dark brown colour 7 7
kappu junja kandugappu
gray colour ash colour
k bUdi baNNa
violet colour UdA baNNa
Indigo blue colour m nIli baNNa
ultramarine m accanIli baNNa
red colour r7 kempu baNNa
ultrapure [red] coloured [r7] acca [kempu] baNNada
brown colour
kandu baNNa junja baNNa
dark brown colour 7 7
kappu junja kandugappu
black colour 7 kappu baNNada
dark black colour 7 eNNegappu baNNa
jet black colour t7 kAgegappu baNNa
Colors contd...Color Kannada Transliteration
tawny [a light brown to brownish orange color] kandu
rouge [a pink or red powder applied to the cheeks] kusumbe
bay [reddish-brown color] r kenca
roan ` cinca
vermilion [b kirimanji
dark or brown red b hurumanji
dark red gule nAri
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dark, dusky masaku
a fading colour ` m
gacci baNNanillada baNNa
a fast colour d gaTTi baNNa
a light colour hU baNNa
a durable colour y jottu baNNa
pale, light [pink] colour i [o] tiLi [gulAbi] baNNa
light gold colour t geri baNNa
golden bangArada
silver beLLiya
shiny , [ hoLeyuva, cakamaki
TransportationTravel Vocabulary
English Kannada Transliteration
Train {M, T Train'u, rail'u
Station ff, M, m baNDivADi, sTEShan'u, nildANa
Bus X bass'u
Vehicle f gADi
Bus Station ff, X m, X M baNDivADi, bas nildANa, bas sTEShan'u
Bus Stop X , X 0 bas tangudANa, bas sTAp'u
Auto Rickshaw , { rikShA, ATO
Taxi Sf, [ kAr'gADi, TyAksi
Car Sf, S kAr'gADi, kAr'u
Airplane 3M, ErO'plEn'u, vimAna
Airport m, S36D vimAna nildANa, Er'pOrT'u
Bus and train
English Kannada Transliteration
How much is a ticket to _____? (...) t [TICKET] A(/CHARGE) ? (...) ge [TICKET'ina] chArj(/CHARGE) eShTu?
One ticket to _____, please. (...) t K TICKET rf (...) ge ond TICKET koDi
Where does this train/bus go? BUS/TRAIN < ? I BUS/TRAIN ellig hogutte?
Where is the train/bus to _____? (...) t [t] BUS/TRAIN T? (...) ge [hOgO] BUS/TRAIN ell'ide?
Does this train/bus stop in _____? BUS/TRAIN (...) T m? I BUS/TRAIN (...) all' nilluttA?
When does the train/bus for _____leave?
(...)
- How do I get to the...BUS STATION? (...)BUS STATIONt tK t? (...)BUS STATIONt U}
-
To left :()};
eDakkeeDagaDe (=> left side);
To Right :()};
balakkebalagaDe (=> right side);
Straight ahead :() mundakk(e)
Right In front of you tS}
edurige; edur'gaDe
towards the _____ (...) }t (...)kaDege
past the _____ (...) d(...) ;
(...)'anna dATi(...) Ada mEle;
before the _____ (...)] (...)[ ;
(...)ginta modalu(...)kkinta modalu;
Watch for the _____ (...)] Fr(...)] Fr
(...)'kAgi nOD'koLLi(...)'gAgi nOD'koLLi
to the North r uttara'kke;
to the East 6r pUrva'kke;
to the West r paScima'kke;
to the South r dakShiNa'kke;
Uphill r mElakke;
Downhill rr keLakke;
Intersection SM Intersection;
Taxi
English Kannada Transliteration
Taxi! [; {; TAXI; AUTO;
Taxi Driver [ f;[ f7;
TyAksi ODisOnuTAXI ODis'avnu
Auto Driver { f;{ f7;
ATO ODisOnuAUTO ODis'avnu
Take me to _____, please [M] (...)t SrF] nanna[n] (...)'ge kar'koND'hOgi
How much does it cost to get to _____? (...)t tr W [A] ? (...)'ge hOgO'dakke eShT' [CHARGE] Agutte?
Take me there, please. [M]
-
How much is a room for one person/twopeople?
Om
-
Taste buds
Saltyuppu 7
SourhuLi
Tastyruci `
Tasteless (insipid)sappe 3
SweetsI
Bitterkahi ""
Astringentogaru "" cogaru w
Hot (spicy)khAra
Piping hot (temperature)bisi o
ColdtaNNage t
Where can I get money changed? F r? I duDD'anna elli badalAysi koDtAre?
Can you change a traveler's check forme?
TRAVELLERS CHEQUE ofX()rf I TRAVELLERS CHEQUE'anna biDis(i)'koDi
Where can I get a traveler's checkchanged?
TRAVELLERS CHEQUE T() ofr?
I TRAVELLERS CHEQUE'anna ell(i) biDisikoDtAre?
What is the exchange rate? EXCHANGE RATE ? EXCHANGE RATE eShTu?
Where is an automatic teller machine(ATM)?
[(...) :] ATM ? [(...) BANK'ina] ATM ellide;
Cheque w:
cekkAsOle
Money
duDDurokka
cash
nagadu haNanagadu rokka kAsu
credit
sAlaudari
EatingEnglish Kannada Transliteration
A table for oneperson/two people,please
Or ] [f = kaDi = a piece [ofmeat]];
nAvu mAmsahAri; nAvkaDi/tuNDu[/kempaDike]kaDiyOru [Note: kempaDike (figurativespeech) => Red Arecanut =>Red meat)];
I don't eat porkM PORK ik; M k ik;
nAn PORK tinnO'dilla; nAn handi mAmsa tinnO'dilla;
I don't eat beefM BEEF ik; M ik;
nAn BEEF tinnO'dilla; nAn danada mAmsatinnO'dilla;
I don't eat Mutton M MUTTON ik;M ik;
nAn MUTTON tinnO'dilla; nAn kuri mAmsa tinnO'dilla;
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I don't eat Chicken
M CHICKENik; M r ik;
nAn CHICKEN tinnO'dilla; nAn kOLi mAmsa tinnO'dilla;
I only eat kosher/halalfood
M T i;
nAn halAl'Ada mAmsa aShTEtinnOdu;
Make it less spicy,please? (add lessspices)
[DISHT()] f
[DISH'nall(i)] salpa khArakaDime irali
Can you make it"lite", please? (lessoil/butter/lard)
[DISHT()] - f /[
[DISH'nall(i)] salpa eNNe-beNNe kaDime irali/hAki
fixed-price meal (MINI MEALS) MINI
MINI MEALSMINI
unlimited meal (FULL MEALS)FULL
FULL MEALSFULL
Breakfast if; TIFFIN tiNDi; TIFFIN;
lunch K madhyAnad UTa;
Tea (meal) if-i; -o; tiNDi-tIrtha; cA-biskattu;
Dinner rAtre UTa
I want _____ < [iMr] (....) nanag [tinn'likke] (....) bEku
I want a dishcontaining _____
< (....) < (....) t
nanag (....)'ina UTa bEkunanag (....)'ina aDuge bEku
I want a dishcontaining (meat)
< [] < [] K t
nanag [kuri] mAmsada UTabEkunanag [kuri] mAmsad aDugebEku
I want a dishcontaining (fish)
< (qM) < (qm) t
nanag (mIn'ina) UTa bEkunanag (mInina) aDuge bEku
I want a dishcontaining (beef)
< (BEEF/[])