Kannada is a beautiful language. It is spoken mainly in Karnataka. It has a warm sound, and soft flow. It has a lot of short and sweet words. You hear it in cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Davanagere, and many more. If you ever visit these places, knowing a few words helps you a lot.
You can talk to people. You can ask for food. You can travel easily. You can make friends. Even simple words make people smile. This guide gives you easy Kannada words with meanings. No hard grammar. No complex rules. Just simple, daily use of words.
Ready to learn? Let’s begin!
Why Learn Kannada Words
Learning even a few Kannada words helps you in many ways:
- You can talk to local people
• You can buy things easily
• You understand signs
• You can travel without stress
• You sound friendly
• You learn culture
• You enjoy movies and songs
• You show respect
Kannada is not hard when you learn little by little.
Basic Kannada Words
These are the most common ones. Learn these first.
Hello
Namaskara
Hi
Hii or Namaskara
Yes
Haudu
No
Illa
Please
Dayavittu
Thank you
Dhanyavaadagalu
Sorry
Kshamisi
Welcome
Swagatha
These words help you start any conversation.
Kannada Words for People
Man
Ganda
Woman
Hendathi
Boy
Huduga
Girl
Hudugi
Friend
Sneehita (male)
Sneehite (female)
Family
Kutumba
Child
Magu
Person
Vyakti
Very easy to remember, right?
Kannada Words for Daily Use
House
Maney
Water
Neeru
Food
Oota
Coffee
Kaapi
Tea
Chaha
Book
Pustaka
Bag
Bega or Bagge (depends on use)
Phone
Dhooravani or Phone
Money
Duddu
Market
Santhe
Village
Halliy
City
Nagara
Use these words every day to learn faster.
Kannada Words for Feelings
Happy
Santosh
Sad
Dukha
Angry
Koppa
Tired
Begaayitthu or Sustaayitthu
Scared
Bhayaa
Confused
Gondala
Love
Preethi
Peace
Shaanti
These help you talk about how you feel.
Kannada Words for Time
Today
Ivattu
Tomorrow
Naale
Yesterday
Ninne
Morning
Beligge
Afternoon
Madhyahna
Evening
Saanje
Night
Raatri
Now
Iga
Later
Nantara
Time words help in daily talking.
Kannada Numbers
Here are basic numbers:
1 – Ondu
2 – Eradu
3 – Mooru
4 – Naalaku
5 – Aidhu
6 – Aaru
7 – Eelu
8 – Entu
9 – Ombattu
10 – Hattu
Numbers help you shop, travel, and count things.
Kannada Colors
Red – Kempu
Blue – Neeli
Green – Hasiru
Yellow – Haladi
White – Bili
Black – Kappu
Pink – Pingi
Orange – Kittale
Brown – Kandu
Purple – Nerale
Color words help when buying clothes or describing things.
Kannada Words for Food
People in Karnataka love tasty food. Here are simple food words:
Rice – Anna
Dosa – Dose
Idli – Idli
Sambar – Sambar
Water – Neeru
Curd – Mosaru
Salt – Uppu
Sugar – Sakkare
Banana – Balehannu
Mango – Mavina hannu
Fish – Meenu
Chicken – Koli
Egg – Motte
These help you order food anywhere.
Travel Words in Kannada
Where
Yelli
Here
Illi
There
Alli
Go
Hogi
Come
Banni
Stop
Nillu
Bus
Basu
Train
Railu
Road
Dari
Ticket
Tikeet
Help
Sahaaya
You need these when moving around.
Kannada Questions
These help you talk better.
What
Enu
Why
Yaake
When
Yavagaa
Who
Yaaru
How
Hege
How much
Eshtu
Examples:
Hege iddiya
How are you
Ninna hesaru enu
What is your name
Eshtu bele
What is the price
Simple and useful.
Kannada Phrases for Daily Life
These short phrases are very helpful:
How are you
Hege iddiya
I am fine
Chennagiddini
What is this
Idenu
I want water
Nanage neeru beku
I want food
Nanage oota beku
Please come
Dayavittu banni
Please sit
Dayavittu kutkolli
I don’t understand
Nanage gothilla
Can you help me
Sahaaya maadtiyya
I am going
Hogthini
Practice these with friends.
Kannada Words for School
Teacher – Shikshaka
Student – Vidyarthi
Notebook – Dapthara
Pen – Penna
Pencil – Pencil
Class – Taragati
Homework – Mane kelasa
Exam – Pariksha
Great for students.
Kannada Words for Shopping
Price – Bele
Cheap – Sastaa
Expensive – Dodd bele
Shop – Angadi
Bag – Baga
Change (money) – Bejja
Buy – Koli
Sell – Maari
These help anywhere in Karnataka.
Also Read: Deer Ka Plural: Super Easy Guide for English Learners
Easy Kannada Verbs
Verbs are action words.
Walk – Nadeyu
Run – Odu
Eat – Thinu
Drink – Kudiyu
Sleep – Malagu
Sit – Kootu
Stand – Neelu
Write – Bareyu
Read – Odu
Talk – Mathaadu
Listen – Keliri
Give – Kodi
Take – Thagoli
Use these daily to learn quickly.
Kannada Nature Words
Sun – Surya
Moon – Chandra
Star – Nakshatra
Tree – Mara
Flower – Hoovu
Leaf – Ele
Rain – Male
Wind – Gaali
River – Nadi
Mountain – Betta
Good words for travel and nature lovers.
Kannada Words for Home
Room – Kone
Bed – Manja
Chair – Kurchi
Table – Meju
Door – Baagilu
Window – Kitaki
Light – Belaku
Fan – Bettale
Kitchen – Aduge mane
Bathroom – Snana ghatta
Very useful at home.
How to Learn Kannada Fast
Here are simple tricks:
- Learn 10 words a day
• Watch Kannada movies with subtitles
• Listen to Kannada songs
• Use Kannada words with friends
• Read boards and signs
• Keep a small notebook
• Practice speaking daily
• Use language apps
• Try kids books
• Learn from locals
Small steps bring big results.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
- Mixing up e and i sounds
• Forgetting polite words like dayavittu
• Using English structure with Kannada words
• Not practicing daily
• Getting shy to speak
Don’t worry. Mistakes are normal. Keep trying.
Practice Time
Try reading these lines:
Naanu oota maadthiddini.
I am eating food.
Avanu illi barthiddane.
He is coming here.
Neenu nanna sneehiti.
You are my friend.
Nanna mane alli ide.
My house is there.
Try writing these words:
Hasiru, Neeru, Oota, Mara, Sneehita, Kutumba, Ivattu, Naale
Practice makes you better.
Why Kannada is Fun
Kannada has:
- Soft sounds
• Simple short words
• Nice rhythm
• Friendly tone
• Rich culture
• Wonderful songs
• Beautiful literature
Learning Kannada helps you enjoy Karnataka more.
Kannada is not hard. Start with simple words. Use them every day. Learn greetings, numbers, colors, food words, travel words, and small phrases. Speak slowly. Practice daily. Soon you will understand and enjoy Kannada. People will appreciate your effort.
You got this.