Shifting to Bengaluru is a great new adventure in many people’s lives, filled with the promise of career growth and vibrant city life. It is almost a rite of passage for the youth of India today. However, for many newcomers who do not know Kannada, this is often accompanied by the challenge of a language barrier. This affects many aspects of life, like navigating marketplaces, talking to auto drivers, or simply feeling like an outsider in everyday social interactions. The good news is - Bengaluru is a very welcoming and cosmopolitan place. On the surface, you can manage many things with English and Hindi, and in fact many other languages that this multifaceted city speaks. But to really embrace life in Bengaluru and see the local beauty, learning a few key Kannada phrases and immersing yourself into the local culture can transform you from a mere observer into an active participant! It is all up to you. The more you embrace the city’s local culture, the city gives back so much more. Understanding the language allows you to navigate the city with ease, build meaningful connections with locals, and truly unlock every aspect of Bengaluru life.
Start with ‘Kanglish’: You don’t need to master Kannada grammar to navigate Bengaluru
Before you dive into the word list below, let’s get one big fear out of the way: You really don’t need “pure” Kannada to survive in Bengaluru.
In fact, if you try to speak textbook Kannada, you might sound like a visitor rather than a local. Most situations can be handled with some quick Kanglish,i.e., Kannada + English. Let me explain.
- The powerful “Maadi” magic: You’ll notice in the Kannada phrasebook below that we lean heavily on one specific word: Maadi. It is the ultimate survival tool! If you know the English word, you know the Kannada sentence. “Discount maadi,” “Call maadi,” “Email maadi”, “Wait Maadi”, etc - simple, right?
- Doors open when you show intention to speak Kannada: When you say “Namaskara” or “Wait maadi” to a shopkeeper or an auto driver, they don’t care if your accent is perfect. They appreciate your effort to bridge the cultural gap. That small gesture instantly transforms you from a “tourist” into a “Bangalorean.”
- Functional, not fluent: Your goal in these first 30 days is not to write poetry; it’s to get things done in Kannada. Use these words as building blocks. Start with slow phrases that get the meaning across, and slowly and steadily you will find yourself understanding and speaking longer sentences in Kannada as your vocabulary grows.
So, let go of the pressure to be fluent. Nobody will judge you for mistakes as it is part of the process. Start messy, start small, but most importantly, start today! The city is ready to open up to you if you are ready to speak.
Kannada phrasebook for navigating Bengaluru better
1. Namaskara (ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ) – Hello / Greetings
Usually pronounced Nam-skaa-raa, and said with a hands-closed “Namaste” gesture. Simple, friendly, and suitable for most occasions.
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” or “Aayitta” means “Have you had?”
Example: “Namaskara sir! Oota aaytaa?”
3. Maadi (ಮಾಡಿ) – Do
Maadi is 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 (ತಗೊ) – 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 in the 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 “Kannada Gottilla” - Kannadigas really appreciate the gesture that you are trying to learn their language.
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”.
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 first. Romanized Kannada is enough for survival in the initial days of picking up the language. Once you advance your spoken Kannada, you can then pick up the script using a resource like Bhashafy’s Kannada Script Course.
How long before I can understand people? Usually 1 to 2 months of intentional and thought out exposure, to understand the absolute basics necessary for city life. Fluency, however, is something that comes with a lot of practice over 1 to 2 years of listening and practicing, while following a guide like Bhashafy’s Bestseller Kannada Course that thousands of learners have used to learn to speak Kannada.
Will people judge me if I speak broken Kannada? Absolutely not. People appreciate effort. Even a little Kannada brings a smile to locals, and opens up your own cultural horizon.
Is Kannada different in other parts of Karnataka? Yes. But Bangalore Kannada is beginner friendly and widely used across cities and in pop culture like movies, TV shows and songs.
Continue Your Learning
If you want a structured, step-by-step beginner course designed especially for newcomers in Bangalore, continue your learning with the expertly designed Bhashafy Bestseller Kannada Course.