Learn Kannada Through English

Kannada language is not tough to learn as some of you may think. It is very simple yet rich language. If you have real interest in learning spoken Kannada language, then this page will help you with free resources and guidelines to learn Kannada through English knowledge.

We recommend using a simple approach to learn Kannada through English language by understanding:

• Language structure and alphabets
• Important vocabulary
• Common phrases
• Basic grammar

This will help you grasp the language quickly and be able to use it in your day-to-day situations in just a few days after you go through our listed posts.

How to Learn Kannada Through English Language?

Kannada is among 30 of the most widely spoken languages of the world. It is spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in south western region of India and also by linguistic minorities in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala and Goa, and also by Kannadigas abroad.

Kannada native speakers are called Kannadigas and their number is approximately roughly 40 million. It is the official and administrative language of the state of Karnataka.

If you want to learn Kannada then the most important thing is first trying to speak in a language.

So, how to easily start the conversation, even if it is broken Kannada?

• First learn common salutations, greetings and expressions such as Namaskara, Hegiddeera, Chennagideera etc.
• Tip – always use the plural form to address a singular person when we speak politely.
• Learn question words to properly ask queries – Who, Why, When, Where, Which, How, etc. (Yaaru, Yaake, Yaavaga, Elli, Enu, Hege etc)
• Learn the important verbs required in everyday conversation.
• Learn the pronouns. (he, she, it / avanu, avaLu, adu)
• Expand your vocabulary – Gender, time, numbers, cardinals, colors, names of vegetables, fruits, pulses, etc
• Then start explore basic grammars:
  • Tenses – Use the verbs in present, past and future tenses
  • Conjunctions – They will help to make complex sentences(and, but, or / mattu, aadare, athava etc).
• Start making and speaking in simple sentences indicating – Request, Advise, Order, Interrogation, Negation, Assertive, etc

1. Kannada Language Structure and Alphabets

In modern Kannada, there are 49 Alphabets. They are mainly divided into three parts:

• Vowels: Swaragallu- ಅ to ಔ (13)
• Semi consonants: Yogavahakagalu- ಅಂ and ಅಃ (2)
• Consonants: Vanjanagalu- ಕ to ಳ (34)

2. Common Kannada Phrases

Commonly used Kannada phrases are easy to learn and use on a daily basis. Below we included most common phrases with categories. This is an easier way to learn, start with what you need for communication.

Check this wiki page for more such phrases.

Greetings and introductory phrases

• Hi / Hello: ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ [Namaskāra]
• Thank you: ಧನ್ಯವಾಧಗಳು [dhan’yavādhagaḷu]
• Sorry: ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ [Kṣamisi]
• What is your name?: ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹೆಸರು ಏನು [Nim’ma hesaru ēnu]
• Nice to meet you: ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ತುಂಬ ಸಂತೋಷ [Nim’mannu nōḍi tumba santōṣa]
• How are you?: ನೀವು ಹೇಗೆ ಇದ್ದೀರಾ [Nīvu hēge iddīrā]
• I’m good, thanks: ನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಇದ್ದೇನೆ, ಧನ್ಯವಾಧಗಳು [Nānu cennāgi iddēne, dhan’yavādhagaḷu]
• And you?: ತಾವು

Language and age phrases

• Do you speak English?: ನೀವು ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ ಮಾತನಾಡುತಿರ [Nīvu iṅgliṣ mātanāḍutira]
• Does she speak Chinese?: ಅವಳು ಚೈನೀಸ್ ಮಾತನಾಡುವಳೇ ? [Avaḷu cainīs mātanāḍuvaḷē?]
• A little bit: ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ [Svalpa]
• How old are you?: ನಿಮಗೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ವರ್ಷ [Nimage eṣṭu varṣa]
• I’m 33 years old: ನನ್ನಗೆ ಮೂವತಮೂರು ವರ್ಷ [Nannage mūvatamūru varṣa]
• It was nice talking to you: ನಿಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಿ ಕುಶಿ ಆಯಿತು [Nim’ma jote mātanāḍi kuśi āyitu]

Common questions to ask

• What do you mean?: ಏನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಅರ್ಥ [Ēnu nim’ma artha]
• I don’t understand: ನನಗೆ ಅರ್ಥ ಆಗಲಿಲ್ಲ [Nanage artha āgalilla]
• I don’t know: ನನಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ [Nanage gottilla]
• Sorry: ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ [Kṣamisi]
• What is that called in Kannada?: ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಏನು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ [Kannaḍadalli adakke ēnu kareyuttāre]
• What does that word mean in English?: ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಏನು ಅನ್ನುತ್ತಾರೆ [Adakke iṅglīṣinalli ēnu annuttāre]

Asking about work and native

• Where are you from?: ನೀವು ಯಾವ ಊರಿನವರು [Nīvu yāva ūrinavaru]
• I’m from the U.S: ನಾನು ಅಮೇರಿಕಾದಿಂದ ಬಂದಿದ್ದೇನೆ [Nānu amērikādinda bandiddēne]
• I’m American: ನಾನು ಅಮೆರಿಕಾದವನು [Nānu amerikādavanu]
• Where do you live?: ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸಿಸುವಿರಿ [Nīvu elli vāsisuviri]
• I live in the U.S: ನಾನು ಅಮೇರಿಕಾದಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ [Nānu amērikādalli vāsisuttēne]
• What do you do for a living?: ನಿಮ್ಮ ಉದ್ಯೋಗ ಏನು [Nim’ma udyōga ēnu]
• I’m a student: ನಾನು ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿ [Nānu vidyārthi]

Asking for help and directions

• Can I help you?: ನಾನು ನಿಮಗೆ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡಬಹುದೇ [Nānu nimage sahāya māḍabahudē]
• Can you help me?: ನೀವು ನಮಗೆ ಸಹಾಯ ಮಾಡುವಿರ [Nīvu namage sahāya māḍuvira]
• Where is the airport?: ವಿಮಾನ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿ [Vimāna nildāṇa elli]
• Go straight: ನೇರಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿ [Nērakke hōgi]
• Then: ಆಮೇಲೆ [Āmēle]
• Turn left: ಎಡಕ್ಕೆ ತಿರುಗಿ [Eḍakke tirugi]
• Turn right: ಬಲಕ್ಕೆ ತಿರುಗಿ [Balakke tirugi]

Asking for help while in emergency

• Are you okay?: ಹತ್ತಿರದ ಫಾರ್ಮಸಿ ಎಲ್ಲಿ? [Nīvu hēge iddīrā]
• I need a doctor: ಆಂಬುಲೆನ್ಸನ್ನು ಕರೆಯಿರಿ [Nanage vaidyara avaśyakate ide]
• Help: ಸಹಾಯ [Sahāya]
• Call the ambulance: ಆಮ್ಬುಲನ್ಸನ್ನು ಕರೆಯಿರಿ[Āmbulensannu kareyiri]
• Call the police: ಪೋಲೀಸರನ್ನು ಕರೆಯಿರಿ [Polīsarannu kareyiri]
• I am sick: ನಾನು ರೋಗಿ [Nānu rōgi]

Holiday wishes in Kannada

• Happy birthday: ಹುಟ್ಟು ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು [Huṭṭu habbada śubhāśayagaḷu]
• Happy new year: ಹೊಸ ವರ್ಷದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು [Hosa varṣada śubhāśayagaḷu]
• Merry Christmas: ಕ್ರಿಸ್ಮಸ್ನ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು [Krismasna śubhāśayagaḷu]
• Good luck: ಗುಡ್ ಲಕ್ [Guḍ lak]
• Congratulations: ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು [Abhinandanegaḷu]

Phrases to use while travelling

• I have a reservation: ನನ್ನ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಮೀಸಲಾತಿ ಇದೆ [Nanna hattira mīsalāti ide]
• Do you have rooms available?: ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಕೊಠಡಿ ಲಭ್ಯವಿದೆಯೇ [Nim’ma hattira koṭhaḍi labhyavideyē]
• I would like a non-smoking room: ನನಗೆ ಒಂದು ದೂಮಪಾನ ರಹಿತ ರೂಮು ಬಯಸುತ್ತೇನೆ [Nanage ondu dūmapāna rahita rūmu bayasuttēne]
• How much it costs per night?: ಪ್ರತಿ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಚಾರ್ಜ್ ಎಷ್ಟು [Prati rātri cārj eṣṭu]
• Waiter: ಮಾಣಿ [Māṇi]
• How much is this?: ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು [Idu eṣṭu]
• What is this?: ಏನು ಇದು [Ēnu idu]

Most Common Kannada Vocabulary

Vocabulary is the backbone for learning any language. So we have picked the most commonly used Kannada words. If you can memorize these, then it will give a major boost to your understanding of Kannada. Be smart and learn what you will need for communication.

Time expressions in Kannada

Common colors in Kannada

Kannada words about eating

Weather terms in Kannada

Family and relatives names

Locations in the house

Clothes we wear

Travel related words

Word to use in school

Emergency vocabulary

Basics of Kannada Grammar

For quick and easy leaning of Kannada, you need to understand some of the basics of language grammars. We have collated important grammar rules for easier understanding:

Suggested read: Easy to learn Kannada grammar rules | Opposite words in Kannada

Refer to wiki page for more elaborated grammar details of Kannada language.