Are you travelling to Bengaluru or anywhere in Karnataka for a vacation or a business trip? 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, and will tell you how to learn Kannada. 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!
30 Essential Survival Kannada Phrases
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”.
Quick Recap: Kannada Survival Phrase List
| Sl no | English Phrase | Kannada Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hello | Namaskara |
| 2 | Have you had lunch? | Oota aayittaa? |
| 3 | Do | Maadi |
| 4 | How much? | Eshtu? |
| 5 | How are you / Are you ok? | Chennagiddira? |
| 6 | I am fine | Chennagiddini |
| 7 | What is your name? | Nimma hesaru enu? |
| 8 | My name is Mukesh | Nanna hesaru Mukesh |
| 9 | Take | Tagoli |
| 10 | Give | Kodi |
| 11 | Goodbye / I’ll come back | Bartini |
| 12 | What | Enu |
| 13 | Where | Elli |
| 14 | Welcome / Please come | Banni |
| 15 | Stop | Nilsi |
| 16 | Yes | Houdu |
| 17 | No | Illa |
| 18 | Want | Beku |
| 19 | Don’t want | Beda |
| 20 | Enough | Saku |
| 21 | I don’t know | Gottilla |
| 22 | I am learning Kannada | Nanu Kannada Kalita iddini |
| 23 | My hometown is Delhi | Nanna ooru Delhi |
| 24 | Work | Kelsa |
| 25 | A little | Swalpa |
| 26 | More | Jaasti |
| 27 | Water | Neeru |
| 28 | Here / There | Illi / Alli |
| 29 | Let’s go | Hogona |
| 30 | Thank you | Dhanyavaadagalu |
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