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Personal Pronouns in Kannada (ಸರ್ವನಾಮಗಳು- Sarvanamagalu)

Personal pronouns help you talk about yourself, others, or groups. Learning them is one of the first steps in forming complete Kannada sentences.

In this lesson, you’ll learn:

  • Pronouns for I, You, He, She, We, They
  • Sentence examples
  • How to use formal vs informal forms

What is a Pronoun?

In English, we say:

  • I am going
  • She is talking
  • They are eating

In Kannada, these become:

  • ನಾನು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ – Nanu Hoguthidene
  • ಅವಳು ಮಾತಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಳೆ – Avalu Matanadutidale
  • ಅವರು ತಿನ್ನುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ – Avaru Thinutidhare

Let’s break it down!

Personal Pronouns Table

EnglishKannada WordUsage Notes
Iನಾನು (Nānu)Used by speaker
Youನೀನು / ನೀವು(Ninu/Nivu)ನೀನು (casual), ನೀವು (formal/plural)
Heಅವನು (Avanu)For males
Sheಅವಳು (Avaḷu)For females
It / Thatಅದು (Adu)For objects, animals
Weನಾವು (Nāvu)For groups including the speaker
Theyಅವರು (Avaru)Plural/respectful
This personಈವನು / ಈವಳು(Ivanu/Ivalu)For close proximity references

Formal vs Informal

  • Use ನೀವು ‘Nivu’ for strangers, elders, or to show respect
  • Use ನೀನು ‘Ninu’ with friends, younger people, or kids

Examples:

  • ನೀವು ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? – Nivu Hegidira – How are you? (formal)
  • ನೀನು ಏನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀಯಾ? – Ninu Enu Maduthideya – What are you doing? (casual)

Sentence Examples

Kannada SentenceMeaning
ನಾನು ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಲಿಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ – Nanu Kannada KaliyuthideneI am learning Kannada
ನೀನು ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀಯ? – Ninu elli HoguthidiyaWhere are you going?
ಅವನು ನನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ – Avanu Nana SnehithaHe is my friend
ಅವಳು ಹಾಡುತ್ತಾಳೆ – Avalu HaduthaleShe is singing
ನಾವು ಆಟವಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ – Navu AtavaduthideveWe are playing
ಅವರು ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದರು – Avaru Manege BandaruThey came home

Practice ChallengeTry writing these:

  1. I am tired = _____________
  2. She is happy = ____________
  3. We are going = _____________

Summary

Pronouns are the backbone of everyday Kannada sentences. Once you master them, you’ll be ready to form real-life conversations with ease.

ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು!
Namaskara mattu Dhanyavaadagalu!
(Hello and Thank you!)

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