25 Kannada Words To Kickstart Your Life In Bangalore

Stepping into Bangalore, a vibrant and fast-paced city, you quickly realise that English, Hindi, and “Kanglish” will help you a lot. But knowing some basic Kannada words is more than just helpful; it opens up deeper connections, shows respect, and makes everyday life easier. When you greet someone, ask a question, or order food using a few Kannada words, it shows you care enough to make an effort. Locals often respond kindly and sometimes even more warmly than if you only speak English. 

For newcomers, learning Kannada words for beginners builds confidence in markets, transport, social settings, and small interactions that create rapport.

In this blog, we will go through essential Kannada for various real-life situations, including greetings, travel phrases, food vocabulary, pronunciation tips, and daily practice advice. You will also see beginner Kannada letters with words included to help with reading and sound patterns.

Learn Kannada for Daily Conversations – Essential Words & Sentences

Here are some basic words and phrases for learning Kannada that you should keep handy. Use them frequently, as repetition is important. These are regular words you’ll use in Bangalore’s markets, buses, shops, cafés, and more.

Namaskara – Hello / Greetings
Hegiddira? / Hegideera? – How are you?
Chennagiddini / Chennagideera? – I’m fine
Dhanyavadagalu – Thank you
Dayavittu – Please
Kshamisi – Sorry / Excuse me
Illa – No
Haudu – Yes
Neeru – Water
Oota – Food / Meal
Beku – Want / Need
Illi – Here
Alli – There

EshTu? / Eshtu? – How much?
Ninna hesaru yenu? / Nimma hesaru yenu? – What is your name?
Nanna hesaru – My name is …
Nanage gothilla – I don’t know

Cultural Etiquette in Kannada Conversations

A few cultural notes will help you use these phrases more naturally:

• Respect matters. When speaking with older people or in formal settings, use “Nimma” instead of “Ninna” (your). Using respectful forms changes how people see you.
• Tone and humility matter. A simple “Dayavittu” or “Kshamisi” softens a question.
• Use plural and respectful forms. For example, “Hegiddira?” is a respectful way to say “How are you?” When talking with friends, you might hear “Hegidheera?” (informal).
• Be careful when mixing English (Kanglish). Many locals combine Kannada and English (eg, “car-u” or “office-u”). That works in casual settings, but using pure Kannada phrases earns you respect.
• Smile, and try even if it’s not perfect. People will appreciate your effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t exact.

Kannada Phrases for Travellers – Essential Expressions for Your Stay

When you’re out and about exploring Bangalore, these phrases will help you manage check-ins, directions, and necessities.

Idhu elli ide? – Where is this?
Bus stand elli? – Where is the bus stand?
Auto yelli barutte? – Where does the auto go?
Do you speak English? – Neevu English mathanadteera?

Please speak slowly. – Salpa mellage maatadi / Salpa nidhanaagi maatadi

Repeat, please. – Innome hel (innome helu)

Common Phrases for Shopping & Bargaining in Kannada

Shopping in local markets is an art. These phrases can help you bargain politely:

Idara bele eshtu? – What is the price of this?

Sole paDeyabeku / Sole maadi – Reduce it a little, please

Jaasti beku – I want more (quantity)

Naanu thagoli – Please give me (that item)

Idu chennagide – This is good / looks good

Health and Emergency Phrases in Kannada

In an emergency or health situation, being able to communicate basic needs is very important:

Nanage arogya samasya ide / Nanage aswasthya ide – I have a health problem / I’m unwell

Doctor yelli? – Where is the doctor?

Dayavittu madat maadi – Please help me

Nanage sahaya beku – I need help

Police hel / Police baa – Call police

Kannada Greetings and Responses – Everyday Expressions

Getting greetings right helps create a positive first impression. Here are common greetings and responses you will use daily around Bangalore.

Shubhodaya – Good morning

Shubha madhyahna / Shubha madhyāhna – Good afternoon

Shubha Sayankala – Good evening

Shubharatri – Good night

Hogi / Hogi banni – Go / Come (in respectful form)

Hegideera? – How are you?

Chennagiddini – I’m fine

Ellaru chennagiddare – Everyone is fine

Polite Expressions for Formal and Casual Conversations

To elders or in formal settings, add “Nimma.” Nimma hesaru yenu? (What is your name?) 

With young people or peers, Ninna hesaru? works. 

Dayavittu (please) and Kshamisi (sorry/excuse me) help a lot in conversation.

Sometimes, people add “-u” at the end of English words in Kannada speech. This is a Kanglish trait. However, when you stick to proper Kannada, it shows sincerity.

Useful Kannada Words for Travel and Directions

Moving around Bangalore often involves asking for directions, finding out how to get somewhere, or figuring out which route to take.

Elli / Yelli– Where
Hogi – Go
Banni – Come
Illa – Not here / doesn’t exist
Ide – Is/exists
Doora – Far
Kone – End
Mele – Up / above
Kade – Side/direction

Common Transportation-Related Phrases

Bus stop yelli ide? – Where is the bus stop?
Metro station yelli? – Where is the metro station?
Idu auto barutte / illa barutte? – Does an auto come here?

Illi nillisi – Stop here, please

Ed̄a / Bala – Left / Right

Kone / Pashchima / Uttara / Dakshina (useful in maps) – East / West / North / South

Sadaka / Striit – Road / Street

Numbers in Kannada – Learn Counting Easily

Counting is essential for shopping, time, transport fares, and more. Here are the numbers 1 to 10 in Kannada:

1. Ondu 

2. Eradu 

3. Mooru 

4. Naalku

5. Aidu

6. Aaru

7. Yelu  

8. Entu / Enṭ

9. Ombattu

10. Hathu

A few more to know:

11 – Hodu ondhu

12 – Hodu eraDu

20 – Iggattu

100 – Nanna

Telling Time and Dates in Kannada 

Eega eshtu gaNTe? / Iga eshtu gaNTe? – What time is it? 

Madhyahna – Afternoon

Saayaṅkāla / Sanje – Evening

Ratri / Rātri – Night

Ivattu – Today

Ninne – Yesterday

Naale / Nāḷe – Tomorrow

Māsa / ThingaLu – Month

Varsha / Varṣa – Year

You can say, for example:

Ivattu nALe ondhu gaNTe hogona, Let’s go in one hour tomorrow.

Kannada Food & Drink Vocabulary – Words for Eating Out

Understanding restaurant vocabulary will help you enjoy Bangalore’s cuisine more confidently.

Masale / Masāle – Spices

Benne khara / Benne+Bhindi – Butter fry/butter dish

Dose / Dosa – Dosa

Idli – Idli

Uttapam – Uttapam

Vada / Vāda – Vada

Rāgi / Ragi – Finger millet/ragi

Mosaru – Curd / Yoghurt

Coffee / Kāfee – Coffee

Chai / Chāyi – Tea

Neeru / Kudi – Water / Drink

Oota – Meal/food

Sweet / Mitha – Sweet

Hannu – Fruit

Common Phrases Used in Restaurants and Cafes

Oota kodri / Oota kodi – Please serve food / Give me food

Idhu besha? / Idu besh? – Is this okay?

Bill Kodri / Bill Maadi – Give me the bill / Make the bill

Neeru koḍi – Give water

Oota saku – Food is enough

Thumba chennagide – It’s very good

Innu beku – More (food) please

Kannada Pronunciation Tips and Practice Exercises

Mastering pronunciation early saves embarrassment and builds confidence. Kannada script is unique, but we will focus on helpful pronunciation tips and beginner Kannada letters, along with example words.

Kannada has 49 letters (vowels + consonants + compound letters) in its script.

Vowels (Swaragalu) include: (a), (ā), (i), (ī), (u), (ū), (e), (ē), (ai), (o), (ō), (au), (aṃ)

Consonants (Vyanjanagalu) include: (ka), (kha), (ga), (gha), … (ma), (ya), (ra), (la), (va), (sha), (ṣa), (sa), (ha), etc.

Here are some beginner Kannada letters with words to practice:

(a) — Anna means “older brother.”

(ka) — Kallu means “stone.”

(ma) — Mane means “house.”

(pa) — Pani means “water (in some dialects).**

(sa) — Sanna means “small.”

Pronunciation tips:

Vowels are fairly consistent; no silent vowels like in English.

Consonants are crisp. Don’t overemphasise aspiration (puffing air) too much.

Use soft “d” and “t” rather than hard English versions.

The “ḍ / ḍh / ṭ / ṭh / ār / rr” sounds are retroflex and require proper tongue positioning (touch the roof of your mouth).

Listen and mimic native speech — record, pause, repeat.

Practice with Sample Dialogues 

Practising these dialogues helps you grasp tone, sequencing, and conversational flow.

Here are two short dialogues you can practice daily:

Dialogue 1: Meeting Someone

A: Namaskara! Hegiddira?

B: Namaskara! Chennagiddini. Nimma hesaru yenu?

A: Nanna Hesaru Raj. Ninna hesaru?

B: Nanna hesaru Priya. Snehita (friend), sannegā hogona?

A: Hoḡoṇa.

Dialogue 2: At a Cafe

Customer: Namaskara. Neeru koḍri.

Staff: Dayavittu. Innu beku?

Customer: Idli kodri, dosa kodri.

Staff: Sari. Oota hoguttade.

After eating: Thumba chennagide. Bill Kodri.

Resources and Daily Practice Tips to Learn Kannada

To go from knowing basic Kannada words to having comfortable conversations, you need a steady approach and the right tools.

Language apps and platforms: Use apps like Duolingo, Kannada learning modules, or Kannada courses on platforms like italki.  

YouTube and video lessons: Watch videos of daily Kannada phrases with pronunciation.  

Local conversation partners: Talk to neighbours, shopkeepers, or auto drivers. Use beginner Kannada words in real-life situations.  

Flashcards and spaced repetition: Write down the Kannada word, meaning, and pronunciation, and review them daily.  

Label your surroundings: Stick Kannada words on items like mugs, doors, and your phone (for example, put “Neeru” on your water bottle).  

Media immersion: Watch Kannada news, TV shows, or films with subtitles.  

Practice in small pockets of time: Take 5 to 10 minutes in the morning and at night to review and speak aloud.

How to Set a Daily Practice Routine

1. Morning warm-up (5 min)  

Recite 10 to 15 basic Kannada words. Review numbers, greetings, and a new phrase.  

2. Midday practice (5 to 10 min)  

During transit or on break, mentally go over a dialogue or phrases you recently learned.  

3. Evening review (10 min)  

Write down 5 new words, find their audio, and try to use them in a sentence.  

4. Weekly conversation goal  

Choose one Kannada phrase or greeting to use in a real conversation with a shopkeeper or neighbour.  

5. Monthly challenge  

Record a 30-second introduction or description in Kannada, including your name, where you’re from, and what you like. Compare it with native speech. 

Over a few weeks, you will see your confidence grow. Small daily steps add up to real ability.

Make Kannada A Part Of Your Daily Life

Moving through Bangalore is more than just navigating roads. It’s also about interacting with people. Integrating Kannada into your life isn’t just about memorising words; it’s about building connections. Use basic Kannada words in your daily routines, and soon they’ll feel natural. All Stanza Living listed PG in Bangalore organises community events that can help you with correct pronunciation, as it allows rubbing shoulders with Kannada-speaking people. So it’s best if you start your new life in a new city with a positive tone, the Kannada language. And voila! You are all set to live a seamless lifestyle in the Silicon Valley of India.

If you’re new to Bangalore and beginning to learn Kannada, make your stay easier by choosing a Stanza Living PG close to your workplace or college. With well-designed rooms, home-cooked meals, and a lively community of young professionals and students, you’ll find a comfortable place to live and a sense of belonging.

Explore nearby options to match commute and budget: 

• PG in Bannerghatta Road
• PG in Hosur Road
• PG in Electronic City Phase 2
• PG in Electronic City Phase 1
• PG near Reva University 
• PG in BTM Layout 
• PG in Marathahalli 
• PG in Sarjapur Road 
• PG in Mathikere 
• PG in Domlur 
• PG in Kengeri 
• PG in Soladevanahalli 
• PG in Bellandur 
• PG in Rajankunte 
• PG in Koramangala 
• PG in Whitefield 
• PG in Bommanahalli 
• Flat in Indiranagar
• PG in Manyata Tech Park
• PG in Hebbal
• PG in Mahadevapura.

FAQs

Q. How can I start learning Kannada easily?  

Begin with basic Kannada words and simple greetings like “Namaskara” (Hello) and “DhanyavaadagaLu” (Thank you).

Q. Are Kannada letters hard to learn?  

Not really. Once you know the beginner Kannada letters and their sounds, pronunciation becomes much easier.

Q. How long does it take to learn basic Kannada?  

With daily practice, you can learn beginner Kannada words in just a few weeks.

Q. Which Kannada words are most useful in daily life?  

Words for greetings, directions, and food, like “Dayavittu” (Please) and “Naanu hogabeku” (I have to go), are the most helpful.

Q. What’s the best way to practice Kannada daily?  

Use basic Kannada words in real conversations with locals or practice using mobile apps.

Q. Can I survive in Bangalore without knowing Kannada?

Yes, you can lead a decent life in Bangalore without knowing Kannada. English and Hindi are widely understood, especially in offices, restaurants, and shopping complexes. However, knowing Kannada helps in navigating public transport, local markets, etc. So, yeah, once you learn basic Kannada words, you are all set.