A lot of people (mostly software professionals) move to Karnataka(mainly Bangalore) everyday for job or business related purpose. Although most of the people here understand and speak English, still there are times when you are out in the market or with some Kannadiga (hailing from the state of Karnataka) friends or trying to explain your watchman/electrician/maid etc about something and you wish if you knew a bit of Kannada. I have been in Karnataka for almost 2 years now and have found that life will be much easier if one knows a few Kannada words. Below is the list of Kannada words that one must know, with their English meanings.
| Kannada | English |
| One-du | One |
| Erudu | Two |
| Mooru | Three |
| Naalakku | Four |
| Aidu | Five |
| Aaru | Six |
| Yelu | Seven |
| Yentu | Eight |
| Ombattu | Nine |
| hathu | Ten |
| Naanu/Num | I/Me |
| Ninu/Nim/Ni | You |
| Gothilla | Don’t know |
| illa | No |
| oota(used only for lunch or dinner) | Food |
| Khaali(In Hindi it is used for “empty”) | Finished |
| Maadi | Do It |
| Kelsa | Work |
| Banni/Baraa/Barappa | Come |
| Hogu/Horadu | Go |
| Hoggalla | Won’t go |
| Baralla | Won’t come |
| Naale | Tommorow |
| Nimsha | Minute |
| Kodi | Give |
| Kudi | Drink |
| Beda | [I]Don’t want |
| bekaa | [Do you] want it |
| beku | Want |
| Yenu | What |
| Yeshtu | How much |
| illi | Here |
| yelli | Where |
| Halli | There |
| Jaasti | More |
| Bega/begane | Hurry |
A few frequently used statements:-
1.) Kannada Gothilla —- I don’t know Kannada. First thing that any non-Kannadiga should know :).
2.) Electronics City(or any place) hogalla —– “won’t go to Electronic City”. Frequently used by local bus drivers/conductors.
3.) En beku —–What do you want?
4.) Naale banni —– Please come tommorow.
5.) Kelsa Maadi —– Do your work.
6.) One nimsha Banni illi —– Come here for a minute.
7.) Oota aaitha —- Had food?(normally replied in affirmation with “aaithu”)
8.) Krishna ni begane, baro —- Krishna come here soon. Not a frequently used line, but a song from album “Colonial Cousins”, which I used to sing a lot never knowing its meaning :D.
