Understanding a few basic Kannada grammar rules helps learners build correct and confident sentences — even with a small vocabulary.
This lesson focuses on easy, beginner-friendly grammar tips:
- Sentence structure
- Gender
- Tenses
- Respectful forms
- Word endings
Kannada Sentence Structure (ವಾಕ್ಯ ವಿನ್ಯಾಸ)
Like English, Kannada follows a basic Subject + Object + Verb order.
🔹 English: I eat rice
🔹 Kannada: ನಾನು ಅಕ್ಕಿ ತಿನ್ನುತ್ತೇನೆ
🔹 Pronunciation: Nānu akki tinnuttēne
The verb comes last in Kannada!
Gender in Kannada
Every noun or pronoun is either masculine, feminine, or neutral.
| Gender | Kannada Example | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | ಅವನು = He | Avanu |
| Feminine | ಅವಳು = She | Avaḷu |
| Neutral | ಅದು = It | Adu |
Verbs also change slightly based on gender:
- ಅವನು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಾನೆ (Avanu hōguttāne) – He is going
- ಅವಳು ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾಳೆ (Avaḷu hōguttiddāḷe) – She is going
Tense Basics – Present, Past, Future
| Tense | Kannada Example | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ನಾನು ಓದುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ (I am reading) | Nānu ōdutidini |
| Past | ನಾನು ಓದಿದ್ದೆ (I read / I had read) | Nānu ōdiddē |
| Future | ನಾನು ಓದುತ್ತೇನೆ (I will read) (same form) | Nānu ōduttēne (contextual) |
Kannada uses verb endings to show time:
- -ತ್ತಾನೆ / -ತ್ತಾಳೆ / -ತ್ತಾರೆ for present
- -ದ / -ದಳು / -ದರೆ for past
- Future often uses present form with context
4. Respectful Forms (Polite Kannada)
Use respectful versions for elders, strangers, and plural:
| Pronoun | Respectful Form |
|---|---|
| ನೀನು (nīnu) – You | ನೀವು (nīvu) |
| ಅವನು / ಅವಳು (he/she) | ಅವರು (avaru) |
Example:
- ನೀವು ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? – How are you (formal)?
- ಅವನು ಹೇಗಿದ್ದಾನೆ? – How is he (casual)?
5. Verb Endings Overview (Quick Table)
| Subject | Ending (Present) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| ನಾನು | -ತ್ತೇನೆ (-ttēne) | ನಾನು ಓದುತ್ತೇನೆ – I am reading |
| ನೀನು | -ತ್ತೀಯ (-ttīya) | ನೀನು ಓದುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀಯ – You are reading |
| ಅವನು | -ತ್ತಾನೆ (-ttāne) | ಅವನು ಓದುತ್ತಾನೆ – He is reading |
| ಅವಳು | -ತ್ತಾಳೆ (-ttāḷe) | ಅವಳು ಓದುತ್ತಾಳೆ – She is reading |
| ಅವರು | -ತ್ತಾರೆ (-ttāre) | ಅವರು ಓದುತ್ತಾರೆ – They are reading |
Practice Tip
Pick any verb (like “eat” or “go”) and try saying:
- I eat
- He eats
- She eats
- They eat
Using the right ending based on subject
Summary
You now understand:
- Kannada sentence structure (S-O-V)
- How gender and respect affect sentences
- Verb endings for I, you, he, she, they
- Basics of tenses
This grammar guide gives your learners a strong starting point to build real Kannada sentences!
ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು!
Namaskara mattu Dhanyavaadagalu!
(Hello and Thank you!)