Moving into a PG or hostel in Bengaluru means dealing with a landlord, a broker, roommates, a maid or cook, and a constant stream of maintenance issues - all of it usually in Kannada. This post gives you real, ready-to-use sentences for exactly those situations, so you're not stuck typing into a translation app every time your geyser stops working. If you want to build on these fast, Bhashafy's Complete Kannada Course for Beginners is built specifically to take you from these first sentences to genuine, everyday conversation.
Real Kannada Sentences for PG and Hostel Life
Talking to Your PG Owner or Landlord
Rent eshtu? (ರೆಂಟ್ ಎಷ್ಟು?) - How much is the rent? The obvious opening question, worth having ready in Kannada from the first conversation.
Swalpa kammi maadi saaku aaguthaa? (ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕಮ್ಮಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಸಾಕಾಗುತ್ತಾ?) - Can you make it a little less? A polite way to negotiate without sounding demanding.
Wifi ide-aa? (ವೈಫೈ ಇದೆಯಾ?) - Is there wifi? Worth asking early, phrased using the "-aa" question suffix that turns any statement into a question.
Deposit eshtu, matte adu return aaguthaa? (ಡೆಪಾಸಿಟ್ ಎಷ್ಟು, ಮತ್ತೆ ಅದು ರಿಟರ್ನ್ ಆಗುತ್ತಾ?) - How much is the deposit, and is it refundable? A direct, practical question worth asking before you commit.
Talking to a Broker or Agent
Nanage ondu PG beku, budget 8 to 10 thousand (ನನಗೆ ಒಂದು ಪಿಜಿ ಬೇಕು) - I need a PG, budget 8 to 10 thousand A clear way to open the conversation and filter options fast.
Idu single-aa sharing-aa? (ಇದು ಸಿಂಗಲ್-ಆ ಶೇರಿಂಗ್-ಆ?) - Is this single occupancy or shared? A practical clarifying question when comparing listings.
Naale nodakke banni (ನಾಳೆ ನೋಡಕ್ಕೆ ಬನ್ನಿ) - Come tomorrow to see it Something you might hear back, worth recognising even if you're not the one saying it.
Talking to Maintenance or Repair Staff
Geyser repair maadi (ಗೀಸರ್ ರಿಪೇರಿ ಮಾಡಿ) - Please fix the geyser Swap "geyser" for whatever's broken - fan, tap, wifi router, lock.
Eshtu time aaguthe? (ಎಷ್ಟು ಟೈಮ್ ಆಗುತ್ತೆ?) - How much time will it take? Useful before you commit to waiting around for someone to show up.
Sari, naale banni (ಸರಿ, ನಾಳೆ ಬನ್ನಿ) - Okay, come tomorrow For scheduling a visit if it can't be handled right away.
Talking to Your Maid or Cook
Prati dina banni (ಪ್ರತಿ ದಿನ ಬನ್ನಿ) - Please come every day Setting expectations on frequency early.
Kaara jaasti beda, swalpa saaku (ಖಾರ ಜಾಸ್ತಿ ಬೇಡ, ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಾಕು) - Not too spicy, a little is enough Genuinely useful if your cook is making food to order.
Aaytha? (ಆಯ್ತಾ?) - Is it done? A quick, casual way to check if food or cleaning is finished.
Talking to Roommates or a Warden
Swalpa adjust maadi (ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಅಡ್ಜಸ್ಟ್ ಮಾಡಿ) - Please adjust a little Useful for shared-space negotiations - space, schedules, noise.
Ivathu bartira, illa naale? (ಇವತ್ತು ಬರ್ತೀರಾ, ಇಲ್ಲ ನಾಳೆ?) - Are you coming today, or tomorrow? A simple way to coordinate plans with a roommate.
Curfew time eshtu? (ಕರ್ಫ್ಯೂ ಟೈಮ್ ಎಷ್ಟು?) - What time is the curfew? A practical question worth asking a hostel warden directly in Kannada.
Handling Deliveries and Guests
[Name/PG]-ge banni (ಗೆ ಬನ್ನಿ) - Come to [name/PG] Used when a delivery driver calls asking for directions.
Gate-inda olage banni (ಗೇಟ್ ಇಂದ ಒಳಗೆ ಬನ್ನಿ) - Come inside from the gate Useful when guiding someone into the building.
Idu nanna parcel (ಇದು ನನ್ನ ಪಾರ್ಸೆಲ್) - This is my parcel A simple line for the security desk when collecting deliveries.
Common Complaints and Requests
Water illa (ವಾಟರ್ ಇಲ್ಲ) - There's no water A direct, useful complaint that gets understood immediately.
Current hogide (ಕರೆಂಟ್ ಹೋಗಿದೆ) - The power has gone The standard way to report a power cut, rather than saying it in English.
Swalpa noise kammi maadi (ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ನಾಯ್ಸ್ ಕಮ್ಮಿ ಮಾಡಿ) - Please reduce the noise a little A polite way to raise a noise complaint with a neighbour or fellow resident.
The Same Words Come Up Again and Again
Notice how the same core words - maadi, eshtu, beku, beda, swalpa, jaasti, saaku, banni - show up again and again across landlords, brokers, repair staff, cooks, and roommates. You're not learning a new vocabulary for each relationship in your PG - you're reusing a small, high-frequency set of words across every single one of them. That's exactly why this short list gets you further, faster, than trying to memorise something different for every situation.
General everyday words and phrases in Kannada
1. Namaskara (ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ) – Hello
Pronounced Nam-skaa-raa, and said with a hands-closed “Namaste” gesture. Simple, friendly, and safe to use anywhere.
Example: “Namaskara uncle, Namaskara aunty!”
2. Oota aaytaa? (ಊಟ ಆಯ್ತಾ?) – Have you had lunch?
One of the most Bengaluru things you will hear in the city. This is often used in place of “Hello” or “Namaskara”. “Oota” means lunch, and “Aaytaa” means “Have you had?”
Example: “Namaskara sir! Oota aayittaa?”
3. Maadi (ಮಾಡಿ) – Do
The most powerful Kannada word for survival! Add Maadi to any English word to turn it into Kannada.
Example: “Discount maadi”, “Wait maadi”, “Bill maadi”, “Email maadi”, “Call maadi”, “Exchange maadi”, “Repair maadi”, “Adjust maadi”.
4. Eshtu? (ಎಷ್ಟು?) – How much?
Pronounced Yesh-tu. Perfect for shopping, autos, and buses.
Example: “Guru, Bisleri Water Bottle eshtu?”
5. Chennag-iddira? (ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?) – How are you, or, Are you ok?
The standard way to say “How are you” in Kannada.
Example: “Namaskara uncle! Chennagiddira?”
6. Chennag-iddini (ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೀನಿ) – I am fine
Standard reply to “How are you” in Kannada.
Example: “Chennagiddini, thank you.”
7. Nimma hesaru enu (ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹೆಸರು ಏನು) – What is your name
Pronounced Nim-hesar-enu.
Example: “Nim-hesar-enu madam?”
8. Nanna hesaru Mukesh (ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು ಮುಕೇಶ್) – My name is Mukesh
Replace Mukesh with your own name. Pronounced Nan-hesaru.
Example: “Namaskara! Nan-hesaru Ritu. Nim-hesar-enu?”
9. Tagoli (ತಗೋಳಿ) – Take
Universal word for giving something, including giving directions.
Example:
- To an auto driver: “Left tagoli, right tagoli, next signal.”
- Or at a shop: “Aunty, 5 rupees change tagoli.”
10. Kodi (ಕೊಡಿ) – Give
Very useful while shopping or at a restaurant.
Example: “1 plate masala dose kodi”
11. Bartini (ಬರ್ತೀನಿ) – Bye, or I will come back
“Bartini” means “I’m coming back” because in Kannada, you don’t say that you’re going away. You’re always going to come back later.
Example: “Okay boss, Bartini!”
12. Enu (ಏನು) – What
Useful for clarifications.
Example: “Enu problem sir?”
13. Elli (ಎಲ್ಲಿ) – Where
Very useful for directions.
Example: “Anna, metro station elli?”
14. Banni (ಬನ್ನಿ) – Please Come in, or Welcome
Means “Please come”, but often used like “Welcome”.
Example: “Banni banni… Oota maadi!” (Come, come have lunch!)
15. Nilsi (ನಿಲ್ಸಿ) – Stop
To stop an auto or bus.
Example: “Anna, left side nilsi.”
16. Houdu (ಹೌದು) – Yes
Standard way to say “Yes” in Kannada.
Example: “Houdu, Gpay aaytu.” (“Yes, Gpay done”)
17. Illa (ಇಲ್ಲ) – No
Standard way to say “No” in Kannada.
Example: “Change illa, Google pay maadi.”
18. Beku (ಬೇಕು) – Want
Useful when talking to the waiter, or at a shop.
Example: “Extra sambhar beku”
19. Beda (ಬೇಡ) – Don’t want
Useful at a restaurant, or while shopping
Example: “1 coffee, Sugar beda.”
20. Saaku (ಸಾಕು) – Enough
Keep this word in mind when you order that unlimited rice South thali.
Example: “Anna, rice saaku!”
21. Gottilla (ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ) – I don’t know
When someone asks you directions to a place you are not familiar with, you can say “Gottilla”, or you will be told “Gottilla” if a person you are enquiring doesn’t know the information. Also used i nthe context of “Hindi gottilla”, “Kannada gottilla”, etc.
Example: “New to Bengaluru. Kannada gottilla.”
22. Kannada Kalita iddini (ಕನ್ನಡ ಕಲಿತಿದ್ದೀನಿ) – I’m learning Kannada
People love hearing this! Much better option than “Kananda Gottilla” - Bangaloreans really appreciate the gesture.
Example: “Naanu Kannada Kalita iddini.”
23. Nanna ooru Delhi (ನನ್ನ ಊರು ದೆಹಲಿ) – My hometown is Delhi
“Ooru” means hometown, just like in “Bengal-ooru”. Replace Delhi with your hometown.
Example: “Nanna ooru Kolkata.”
24. Kelsa (ಕೆಲಸ) – Work
Useful word that means “work” as a noun or verb.
Example: “Nanu IT kelsa maadtini” (“I work in IT”)
25. Swalpa (ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ) – A little
You’ll hear this everywhere. Very useful Kannada word in everyday situations.
Example: “Swalpa left”, “Swalpa wait maadi”, “Swalpa adjust maadi”, “Swalpa Swalpa Kannada barutte”.
26. Jaasti (ಜಾಸ್ತಿ) – More
Opposite of Swalpa.
Example: “Rice jaasti beku”, or “AC jaasti maadi.”
27. Neeru (ನೀರು) – Water
It is always useful to know the word for water in Kannada. Keep handy at messes, PGs, and restaurants.
Example: “Ondu(1) glass neeru”
28. Illi (ಇಲ್ಲಿ) – Here ; Alli (ಅಲ್ಲಿ) - There
Important for directions. “illi” and “alli” are siblings, just like here and there.
Example: “Auto anna, illi right, alli left.”
29. Hogona (ಹೋಗೋಣ) – Let’s go
You’ll hear this often around lunch break or at the end of office hours. The entire office usually buzzes with the sound of “Hogona” when it’s time to leave!
Example: “Banni, canteen hogona!” (Come let’s go to the canteen)
30. Dhanyavaada-galu (ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು) – Thank you
This word is long but its meaning is quite simple. It's just “Thank you”. North Indians may be familiar with “Dhanyavaad”. This is the same word but with “-galu” added which just makes it plural. So Dhanyavaadagalu is like saying “Many thanks”.
Ready to Go Beyond These Words and Phrases?
These phrases will get you through your first weeks in a PG or hostel, but real comfort comes from being able to actually understand what's said back to you, not just recite a script. That's the gap a structured course closes.
Bhashafy's Complete Kannada Course for Beginners is built by native Kannada speakers, with real-world spoken Kannada, short lessons that fit around a busy student or working schedule, and lifetime access so you can learn at your own pace. Bhashafy has over 20,000 happy learners across 90+ countries and millions of minutes of lessons taught, and is one of the most widely used and highly rated Indian language courses available online.
Common Questions From PG and Hostel Residents
Will these sentences actually work, or do I need to know grammar too? They'll work as-is for most day-to-day situations. If you want to understand the responses you get back and hold a real conversation, a structured course builds that layer on top.
Do I need to learn the Kannada script to use these sentences? No. Everything here is written in Romanized Kannada, and you can start speaking immediately without learning to read the script first.
How quickly can I actually get comfortable with everyday PG conversations? Most learners start using functional sentences like these within one to two weeks of consistent practice, with fuller comfort building over four to six weeks with a structured course.
I'm a student or working full-time - will I have time for a full course? Bhashafy's lessons are built in short, ten-to-fifteen-minute sessions specifically for people with a packed schedule, so you can fit it around classes or work rather than needing large blocks of free time.
Stop typing into a translation app every time your landlord calls. Enroll in Bhashafy's Complete Kannada Course for Beginners today and start handling your PG or hostel life in real, everyday Kannada.
Thank you, or as we say in Kannada - Dhanyavaadagalu!
