Introduction
Once you’ve learned Kannada greetings, the next step is mastering everyday Kannada words. Whether you’re shopping, traveling, or just trying to have a basic conversation, these commonly used words and phrases will help you blend in and connect better.
Section 1: Asking for Directions (ದಿಕ್ಕು ಕೇಳುವುದು – Dikku Keluvudu)
| English | Kannada | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | … ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ? | … ellide? |
| Left | ಎಡಬದಿಗೆ | edabadige |
| Right | ಬಲಬದಿಗೆ | balabadige |
| Straight ahead | ನೆರೆದ ಹೋಗಿ | nereda hogi |
| How far is it? | ಎಷ್ಟು ದೂರವಿದೆ? | eshtu dooravide? |
| Near / Close by | ಹತ್ತಿರ | hattira |
| Far | ದೂರ | doora |
| Bus stop | ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ | bas nildāṇa |
| Train station | ರೈಲು ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ | railu nildāṇa |
Section 2: Shopping Essentials (ಖರೀದಿ ಪದಗಳು)
| English | Kannada | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಎಷ್ಟು? | idakke eshtu? |
| It’s expensive | ದುಬಾರಿ ಇದೆ | dubaari ide |
| Can you reduce the price? | ಬೆಲೆ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆಯಾ? | bele kadime aguttadeyaa? |
| I want this | ಇದು ಬೇಕು | idu beku |
| I don’t want | ಬೇಡ | beda |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು | dhanyavaadagalu |
| Do you accept UPI? | ನೀವು ಯುಪಿಐ ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸುತ್ತೀರಾ? | neevu UPI sveekarisuttira? |
Section 3: Basic Action Words (Verbs – ಕ್ರಿಯಾಪದಗಳು)
| English | Kannada | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Come | ಬಾ / ಬನ್ನಿ | baa / banni |
| Go | ಹೋಗು / ಹೋಗಿ | hogu / hogi |
| Sit | ಕುಳಿತುಕೋ | kuḷituko |
| Eat | ತಿನ್ನು / ತಿನ್ನಿ | tinnu / tinnni |
| Drink | ಕುಡಿ / ಕುಡಿಯಿರಿ | kudi / kudiyiri |
| Speak | ಮಾತನಾಡು / ಮಾತನಾಡಿ | maathanaadu / maathanaadi |
| Wait | ಕಾಯ್ / ಕಾಯಿರಿ | kaay / kaayiri |
| Come here | ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾ | illi baa |
| See / Look | ನೋಡು / ನೋಡಿ | nōḍu / nōḍi |
Practice Idea
- Choose 1 action, 1 travel, and 1 shopping word daily.
- Use them in real-life conversations or practice with flashcards.
- Try speaking small Kannada sentences combining verb + object: e.g., “ನೀನು ಬಾ” = You come,
“ನೀವು ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಳ್ಳಿ” = Please sit (formal)
ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು!
Namaskara mattu Dhanyavaadagalu!
(Hello and Thank you!)