Are you moving to Bengaluru for work or higher education? While I’m sure you will enjoy the lovely weather, fun activities and all the opportunities the city has to offer, there will also be this feeling that you cannot understand this new language being spoken all around you. From auto drivers to shopkeepers to PG landlords, everyone around you speaks Kannada, and you want to learn enough Kannada to get by.
The good news is that learning Kannada is not too difficult with the right guidance!
And that’s exactly what I’m here to do for you today. This article will give you the 30 most essential survival Kannada phrases every newcomer to Bangalore must know. These phrases will make your life easier and help you navigate the city right from Day 1!
Furthermore, Bengaluru runs on Kanglish, not pure Kannada, and that’s how we’ve designed these essential Kannada phrases too - not pure textbook Kannada, but natural sentences that you can actually speak with locals.
So come, Banni, let’s get started!
1. Namaskara – 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 aayittaa? – 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 “Aayittaa” means “Have you had?”
Example: “Namaskara sir! Oota aayittaa?”
3. Maadi – 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? – How much?
Pronounced Yesh-tu.
Perfect for shopping, autos, and buses.
Example: “Guru, Bisleri Water Bottle eshtu?”
5. Chennag-iddira? – How are you, or, Are you ok?
The standard way to say How are you in Kannada
Example: “Namaskara uncle! Chennagiddira?”
6. Chennag-iddini – I am fine
Standard reply to I am fine in Kannada
Example: “Chennagiddini, thank you.”
7. Nimma hesaru enu – What is your name
Pronounced Nim-hesar-enu
Example: “Nim-hesar-enu madam?”
8. Nanna hesaru Mukesh – My name is Mukesh
Replace Mukesh with your own name. Pronounced Nann-hesaru.
Example: “Nan-hesaru Ritu. I am the new tenant.”
9. Tagoli – Take
Universal word for giving something, including giving directions.
To an auto driver: “Left tagoli, right tagoli, next signal.”
Or at a shop: “5 rupees change tagoli, sir.”
10. Kodi – Give
Very useful while shopping or at a restaurant.
Example: “1 plate masala dose kodi”
11. Bartini – 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 – What
Useful for clarifications.
Example: “Enu problem sir?”
13. Elli – Where
Very useful for directions.
Example: “Anna, metro station elli?”
14. Banni – Please Come in, or Welcome
Means “Please come”, but often used like “Welcome”.
Example: “Banni banni… Oota maadi!” (Come, come have lunch!)
15. Nilsi – Stop
To stop an auto or bus.
Example: “Anna, left side nilsi.”
16. Houdu – Yes
Standard way to say “Yes” in Kannada
Example: “Houdu, Gpay aayittu.” (“Yes, Gpay done”)
17. Illa – No
Standard way to say “No” in Kannada
Example: “Change illa, Google pay maadi.”
18. Beku – Want
Useful when talking to the waiter
Example: “Extra sambhar beku”
19. Beda – Don’t want
Example: “1 coffee, Sugar beda.”
20. Saku – Enough
Keep this word in mind when you order that unlimited South thali.
Example: “Rice saku!”
21. Gottilla – I don’t know
Example: “New to Bengaluru. Kannada gottilla.”
22. Nanu Kannada Kalita iddini – I am learning Kannada
Example: “Nanu Kannada Kalita iddini sir.”
People love hearing this!
23. Nanna ooru Delhi – My hometown is Delhi
“Ooru” means hometown, just like “Bengal-ooru”. Replace Delhi with your place.
Example: “Nanna ooru Kolkata.”
24. Kelsa – Work
Useful word that means “work” as the noun or verb.
Example: “Nanu IT kelsa maadtini” (“I work in IT”)
25. Swalpa – A little
You’ll hear this everywhere.
Example: “Swalpa left”, “Swalpa wait maadi”, “Swalpa adjust maadi”, “Swalpa Swalpa Kannada barutte”.
26. Jaasti – More
Opposite of Swalpa.
Example: “Rice jaasti beku”, or “Volume jaasti maadi.”
27. Neeru – Water
Common at messes, PGs, restaurants.
Example: “1 glass neeru”
28. Illi – Here ; Alli - There
Important for directions. “illi” and “alli” are siblings, just like here and there.
Example: “Auto anna, illi right, alli left.”
29. Hogona – Let’s go
You’ll hear this often around lunch break or at the end of office hours
Example: “Banni, canteen hogona!” (Come let’s go to the canteen)
30. Dhanyavaadagalu – Thank you
This word is long but its meaning is quite simple. Its 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”.
How to Practise These 30 Survival Kannada Phrases Daily
Learning basic Kannada is all about daily micro interactions. Here’s how you can build confidence in using Kannada in your everyday life.
1. Use 3 sentences every day
Start with Wait maadi, Illi nilsi, Eshtu.
Use them even if you are unsure. Nobody will judge you.
2. Talk to your auto drivers
Autos are the best Kannada teachers.
Just say “Nanu Kannada Kalita iddini”, and they’ll often help.
3. Listen more than you speak
Observe small conversations in your PG, food counter, office pantry, or at shops.
4. Learn through situations
For example
Auto words one week
Food words next week
Office phrases another week
5. Mix English and Kannada freely
Bangalore runs on Kanglish. You don’t need to learn pure Kannada. Kannada + English works in daily life.
Why These 30 Sentences Are Enough for Your First Month in Bangalore
Most migrants think they need to learn full sentences like in a textbook. In reality, Bangalore conversations are short, quick, mixed with English, and very predictable. Once you learn these 30 core sentences, you can create hundreds of combinations.
For example, from Beku, Beda, Saku, Swalpa, Jaasti, Maadi, Tagoli, you can form everyday mini dialogues that keep you going from morning to night.
At a Darshini restaurant: “Idli beku, chutney jaasti beda.”
In an auto: “Anna, illi straight, next signal left tagoli.”
With your landlord: “Geyser repair maadi please.”
With your security: “Amazon parcel kodi”
This kind of functional Kannada will help you easily integrate into the city.
Daily Life Situations You’ll Handle Easily After Learning These Kannada Sentences
1. Renting a house or PG
Talking to owner, broker, security, maid.
2. Using autos and cabs
Giving directions, asking to stop, explaining destinations.
3. Ordering food
Adjusting spice, asking for sambar or chutney, paying bills.
4. Office interactions
Lunch invites, casual greetings, small talk.
5. Supermarkets and roadside shops
Asking price, choosing items, requesting change.
6. Handling issues
Pipe leak, power cut, wifi trouble, gas refill.
With these 30 phrases, you gain independence fast.
Frequently Asked Questions New Migrants Have About Kannada
Is Kannada hard to learn
No. The spoken Kannada used in Bangalore is very simple. You can manage most conversations with Kanglish.
Do I need to learn the script
Not at all. Romanized Kannada is enough for survival.
How long before I can understand people
Usually 1 to 2 months of intentional and thought out exposure, with a guide handy.
Will people judge me if I speak broken Kannada
Absolutely not. People appreciate effort. Even a little Kannada brings a smile.
Is Kannada different in other parts of Karnataka
Yes. But Bangalore Kannada is beginner friendly and widely used.
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