Last Updated on July 5, 2024 by Tariq
Want to learn Kannada? Wondering how to learn Kannada easily? Want to start conversing in Kannada like a pro?
Guess what? I’ve got you covered.
Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ) is a Dravidian language predominantly spoken by the people of Karnataka.
Kannada is also the language spoken by linguistic minorities in the states such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Goa.
By 2011, the Kannada language had roughly 43 million native speakers and was also spoken by over 12.9 million non-native speakers in Karnataka as a second and third language.
All of which adds up to nearly 57 million speakers.
With a number of non-Kannadigas considering Bangalore (Bengaluru) (and Mysore) as their home, it surely helps to learn how to speak Kannada.
After all, ‘When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do’!
Want to learn Kannada online?
Starting with the absolute basics, I’ve included all you’ll need to learn Kannada for absolute beginners.
With that being said, ‘Kannada Kaliyona.’ (which means, let’s learn Kannada)
Note: The entire ‘learn Kannada’ series is brought to you in association with Anvaya Foundation.
Buy the Book ‘Non Kannadiga to Naanu Kannadiga’ on Amazon
Prefer learning from a book? Purchase the book now from Amazon.
For FREE Kannada classes, Whatsapp or SMS “Naanu Kannadiga” to ‘9663036699‘ and join their next batch.
Learn Kannada: Frequently Used Kannada Words
English | Kannada |
Hello/ Hi | namaskaara |
I/ Me | naanu / nanage |
We | naavu / namage |
You | neenu / neevu |
Your | ninna / nimma |
He | avanu |
She | avalu |
How are you? | neevu hegiddira? |
Please | dayavittu |
Thanks | dhanyavaadagalu |
For Us | namage |
For You | ninage / nimage |
For Me | nanage |
My | nanna |
Our | manage |
Note: For the complete list, purchase the book now from Amazon.
Learn Kannada: Frequently Used Kannada Words
English | Kannada |
Come | baa |
Sit | koothko |
Eat | tinnu |
Drink | kudi |
Read | odhu |
Write | bare |
Walk | nade |
Run | odu |
See | nodu |
Play | aadu |
Tell | helu |
Go | hogu |
Note: For the complete list, purchase the book now from Amazon.
Frequently Used Interrogative Kannada Words
English | Kannada |
What? | Enu? |
Who? | Yaaru? |
When? | Yaavaaga? |
How? | Hege? |
Why? | Yaake? |
Where? | Elli? |
Whom? | Yaarige? |
Is it? | Howdaa? |
Which? | Yaavudu? |
How Much? | Eshtu? |
Note: For the complete list, purchase the book now from Amazon.
Frequently Used Body Parts
English | Kannada |
Body | deha |
Head | tale |
Eye | kannu |
Ear | kivi |
Nose | moogu |
Mouth | baayi |
Tooth | hallu |
Tongue | naalige |
Fore Head | hane |
Lip | thuti |
Hair | koodalu |
Hand | kai |
Leg | kaalu |
Finger | beralu |
Foot | paada |
Stomach | hotte |
Blood | rakta |
Note: For the complete list, purchase the book now from Amazon.
Get Familiar With Kannada Numbers
Numbers | Kannada Numbers |
1 | ondu |
2 | eradu |
3 | mooru |
4 | naalku |
5 | aidu |
6 | aaru |
7 | elu |
8 | entu |
9 | ombatthu |
10 | hatthu |
11 | hannondu |
12 | hanneradu |
13 | hadimooru |
14 | hadinaalku |
15 | hadinaidu |
16 | hadinaaru |
17 | hadinelu |
18 | hadinentu |
19 | hatthombatthu |
20 | ippatthu |
21 | ippattondu |
22 | ippatteradu |
23 | ippatmuru |
24 | ippatnalku |
25 | ippattaidu |
26 | ippattaru |
27 | ippattelu |
28 | ippattentu |
29 | ippattombattu |
30 | moovatthu |
40 | nalvatthu |
50 | aivatthu |
60 | aravatthu |
70 | eppatthu |
80 | embatthu |
90 | thombatthu |
100 | nooru |
200 | innooru |
300 | munnooru |
400 | naanooru |
500 | ainooru |
600 | aarunooru |
700 | elunooru |
800 | entunooru |
900 | ombainooru |
1000 | saavira |
100000 | laksha |
1000000 | hatthu laksha |
10000000 | koti |
Note: For the complete list, purchase the book now from Amazon.
Learn the Various Relationships in Kannada
Relationships in English | Relationships in Kannada |
Mother | amma |
Father | appa |
Son | maga |
Daughter | magalu |
Family | kutumba |
Brother | sahodara |
Elder Brother | anna |
Younger Brother | tamma |
Sister | sahodari |
Elder Sister | akka |
Younger Sister | tangi |
Kids | makkalu |
Boy(s) | huduga |
Girl(s) | hudugi |
Grandmother | ajji |
Grandfather | taata / ajja |
Grandchildren | mommakkalu |
Grandson | mommaga |
Granddaughter | mommagalu |
Husband | ganda |
Wife | hendati |
Mother-in-law | atte |
Father-in-law | maava |
Uncle | doddappa (father’s elder brother) chikkappa (father’s younger brother) |
Aunt | doddamma (mother’s elder sister) chikkamma (mother’s younger sister) |
Note: For the complete list, purchase the book now from Amazon.
Feelings
Feelings | Kannada Translation |
Love | preeti |
Friendship | sneha |
Hatred | dwesha |
Pain | novu |
Happiness | santhosha |
Anger | kopa |
Laugh | nagu |
Weep | alu |
Sad | dukkha |
Note: For the complete list, purchase the book now from Amazon.
Let’s Put The Above Kannada Words Into Sentences
Hello, how are you?
namaskaara, neevu hegiddira?
I am fine
naanu chennagiddini
I want
nanage beku
I don’t want
nanage beda
My house
nanna mane
Thank you very much
nimage thumba dhanyavaadagalu
You come here
neevu illi banni (with respect) / neevu illi baa
Please go there
dayavittu alli hogi (with respect) / dayavittu alli hogu
What is your name?
nimma hesaru enu? (with respect) / ninna hesaru enu?
Who are you?
neevu yaaru? (with respect) / neenu yaaru?
Where are you going?
neevu ellige hogta idira? (with respect) / neenu elli hogta idiya?
I want 300 rupees
nange munnooru rupaayi beku
How many zeros for 1 lakh?
ondu lakshakke eshtu sonnegalu?
He is my father
avaru nanna tande
They are my kids
avaru nanna makkalu
I love my country
naanu nanna deshavannu preetisteeni
My leg is paining
nanna kaalu novutide
She is laughing
avalu nagtidaale
He is my friend
avanu nanna snehita
Learn Kannada: Conclusion
The above is a prelude to what is available in the ‘Non Kannadiga to Naanu Kanndiga‘ book. Purchase the book now from Amazon and learn Kannada the right way.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Buy the Book ‘Non Kannadiga to Naanu Kannadiga’ on Amazon
Prefer learning from a book? Purchase the book now from Amazon.