Figure it out. Say it. Remember it.

Learning Kannada: a practical guide

This is a written companion to the free Kannada course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.

What Kannada is like

Kannada is written in its own beautiful script that reads left to right. Every consonant carries a built-in a sound; a small sign added on either side changes the vowel. The basic word order is Subject–Object–Verb: nanage kāphi bēku (to-me coffee want) = I want a coffee. Kannada has two r-like sounds and retroflex letters, but don't worry — locals will understand you from context.

Words you may already know

Pronunciation notes

Kannada has a few sounds that don't exist in English — especially the retroflex and aspirated letters. Learn these and you'll read any word aloud.

• ಖ — aspirated k — a strong puff of air, like the kh in "Khan", as in ಖಾನೆ = khānē (a room).
• ಘ — aspirated g — a breathy g, like the gh with air, as in ಘನ = ghana (vast).
• ತ — dental t — your tongue touches the teeth, as in ತಂದೆ = tande (father).
• ಟ — retroflex t — the tongue curls back to the roof of the mouth, as in ಟಿಕೆಟ್ = ṭikeṭ (a ticket).
• ಳ — retroflex l — the tongue curls back, harder than ಲ, as in ಬಾಳೆ = bāḷe (plantain).
• ಞ — "ny" as in canyon, as in ಜ್ಞಾನ = jñāna (knowledge).
• ಷ — retroflex sh — the tongue curls back, as in ಕಷ್ಟ = kaṣṭa (difficulty).
• ವ — a soft v, halfway between v and w, as in ವರು = varu (come).

First phrases

The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.

How the Kannada course is structured

The course has 12 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:

1. Greetings & being polite — ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ · ಧನ್ಯವಾದ · ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು
2. Polite phrases — ಧನ್ಯವಾದ · ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು · ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ
3. Numbers 1–10 — ಒಂದು · ಎರಡು · ಮೂರು · ಹತ್ತು
4. I want" — ನನಗೆ … ಬೇಕು — ನನಗೆ … ಬೇಕು · ಬೇಡ
5. Food & drink — ನೀರು · ಅನ್ನ · ಚಹಾ · ಕಾಫಿ
6. Getting around — ಎಲ್ಲಿ? · ಬಲ · ಎಡ · ನೇರವಾಗಿ
7. Questions & "do you have…?" — ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ … ಇದೆಯೇ?
8. Family & people — ಕುಟುಂಬ · ಅಮ್ಮ · ಅಪ್ಪ · ಗೆಳೆಯ
9. Time, days & weather — ಇಂದು · ನಾಳೆ · ಹವಾಮಾನ
10. Small talk & your name — ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು · ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹೆಸರೇನು?
11. Health & emergency — ಸಹಾಯ · ವೈದ್ಯ · ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ
12. Tying it together — a capstone scene

Inside the lessons

Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.

Greetings & being polite

Key pieces: ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ · ಧನ್ಯವಾದ · ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು

Let's start with the very word you'll use everywhere: ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ — hello (with folded hands). Say it out loud.

• ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ (namaskāra) — hello Memory hook: ≈ Sanskrit namaskāra, pan-Indian.
• ಶುಭೋದಯ (shubhōdaya) — good morning
• ಶುಭ ಸಂಜೆ (shubha sanje) — good evening
• ಧನ್ಯವಾದ (dhanyavāda) — thank you Memory hook: ≈ Sanskrit dhanyavāda (dhanyavaad).
• ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು (dayaviṭṭu) — please

To say “Hello, thank you” in Kannada: ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, ಧನ್ಯವಾದ (namaskāra, dhanyavāda). Built from ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ = hello; ಧನ್ಯವಾದ = thank you.

Two more essentials: ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ (sorry / excuse me) and ಸರಿ (okay).

To ask how someone is: ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ? . The reply is ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ, ಧನ್ಯವಾದ — I'm well, thanks.

• ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ? (hēgiddīri?) — How are you?
• ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ (chennāgiddēne) — I'm well
• ಸರಿ (sari) — okay / fine

To say “Hello, how are you?” in Kannada: ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ? (namaskāra, hēgiddīri?). Built from ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ = hello; ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ? = how are you?.

Polite phrases

Key pieces: ಧನ್ಯವಾದ · ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು · ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ

The magic words: ಧನ್ಯವಾದ (thank you) and ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು (please). Use them constantly.

• ಧನ್ಯವಾದ (dhanyavāda) — thank you
• ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು (dayaviṭṭu) — please
• ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ (kṣamisi) — sorry / excuse me
• ಸರಿ (sari) — okay / all right

To say “A coffee, please” in Kannada: ಒಂದು ಕಾಫಿ, ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು (ondu kāphi, dayaviṭṭu). Built from ಒಂದು = one; ಕಾಫಿ = coffee; ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು = please.

Saying yes and no: ಹೌದು = yes, ಇಲ್ಲ = no.

• ಹೌದು (haudu) — yes
• ಇಲ್ಲ (illa) — no
• ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು (dhanyavādagaḷu) — thanks a lot

To say “Yes, thank you” in Kannada: ಹೌದು, ಧನ್ಯವಾದ (haudu, dhanyavāda). Built from ಹೌದು = yes; ಧನ್ಯವಾದ = thank you.

Numbers 1–10

Key pieces: ಒಂದು · ಎರಡು · ಮೂರು · ಹತ್ತು

Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: ಒಂದು, ಎರಡು, ಮೂರು .

• ಒಂದು (ondu) — 1
• ಎರಡು (eraḍu) — 2
• ಮೂರು (mūru) — 3
• ನಾಲ್ಕು (nālku) — 4
• ಐದು (aidu) — 5
• ಆರು (āru) — 6
• ಏಳು (ēḷu) — 7
• ಎಂಟು (eṇṭu) — 8
• ಒಂಬತ್ತು (ombattu) — 9
• ಹತ್ತು (hattu) — 10

To say “Two coffees, please” in Kannada: ಎರಡು ಕಾಫಿ, ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು (eraḍu kāphi, dayaviṭṭu). Built from ಎರಡು = two; ಕಾಫಿ = coffee; ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು = please.

To ask the price: ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು? = how much is this? Great for shopping.

To say “How much is this?” in Kannada: ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು? (idu eṣṭu?). Built from ಇದು = this; ಎಷ್ಟು? = how much?.

To say “It's five rupees” in Kannada: ಐದು ರೂಪಾಯಿ (aidu rūpāyi). Built from ಐದು = five; ರೂಪಾಯಿ = rupees.

I want" — ನನಗೆ … ಬೇಕು

Key pieces: ನನಗೆ … ಬೇಕು · ಬೇಡ

The magic phrase to ask for anything: ನನಗೆ … ಬೇಕು — I want…. Put what you want before ಬೇಕು.

ಬೇಕು is the verb 'to want'. ನನಗೆ ನೀರು ಬೇಕು = I want water.

To say “I want water” in Kannada: ನನಗೆ ನೀರು ಬೇಕು (nanage nīru bēku). Built from ನನಗೆ = to me; ನೀರು = water; ಬೇಕು = want.

To say “I want a coffee” in Kannada: ನನಗೆ ಕಾಫಿ ಬೇಕು (nanage kāphi bēku). Built from ನನಗೆ = to me; ಕಾಫಿ = coffee; ಬೇಕು = want.

To refuse, use ನನಗೆ … ಬೇಡ — I don't want….

To say “I don't want tea” in Kannada: ನನಗೆ ಚಹಾ ಬೇಡ (nanage cahā bēḍa). Built from ನನಗೆ = to me; ಚಹಾ = tea; ಬೇಡ = don't want.

Food & drink

Key pieces: ನೀರು · ಅನ್ನ · ಚಹಾ · ಕಾಫಿ

Eating out? Key words: ನೀರು (water), ಅನ್ನ (rice), ಚಹಾ (tea).

• ನೀರು (nīru) — water
• ಅನ್ನ (anna) — rice
• ರೊಟ್ಟಿ (roṭṭi) — roti / bread Memory hook: ≈ roti, also in Hindi.
• ಚಹಾ (cahā) — tea Memory hook: ≈ chai, from Chinese chá.
• ಕಾಫಿ (kāphi) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.

To say “Rice and tea, please” in Kannada: ಅನ್ನ ಮತ್ತು ಚಹಾ, ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು (anna mattu cahā, dayaviṭṭu). Built from ಅನ್ನ = rice; ಮತ್ತು = and; ಚಹಾ = tea; ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು = please.

To say “I want water” in Kannada: ನನಗೆ ನೀರು ಬೇಕು (nanage nīru bēku). Built from ನನಗೆ = to me; ನೀರು = water; ಬೇಕು = want.

To ask for the menu: ಮೆನು, ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು — the menu, please.

To say “The menu, please” in Kannada: ಮೆನು, ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು (menu, dayaviṭṭu). Built from ಮೆನು = the menu; ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು = please. ≈ English menu.

Getting around

Key pieces: ಎಲ್ಲಿ? · ಬಲ · ಎಡ · ನೇರವಾಗಿ

The most useful question in any city: ಎಲ್ಲಿ…? — where is…?

• ಎಲ್ಲಿ...? (elli...?) — Where is...?
• ಬಲ (bala) — to the right
• ಎಡ (eḍa) — to the left
• ನೇರವಾಗಿ (nēravāgi) — straight ahead
• ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ (nildāṇa) — the station

To say “Where is the station?” in Kannada: ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿ? (nildāṇa elli?). Built from ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ = station; ಎಲ್ಲಿ? = where?.

To say “Where is the bus stop?” in Kannada: ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿ? (bas nildāṇa elli?). Built from ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ = bus stop; ಎಲ್ಲಿ? = where?. ≈ English bus.

ಬಲ and ಎಡ tell you which way to turn. 'Straight ahead' is ನೇರವಾಗಿ .

To say “Straight ahead” in Kannada: ನೇರವಾಗಿ (nēravāgi). Built from ನೇರವಾಗಿ = straight ahead.

Questions & "do you have…?"

Key pieces: ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ … ಇದೆಯೇ?

To ask if someone has something: ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ … ಇದೆಯೇ? — do you have…?

To say “Do you have water?” in Kannada: ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ನೀರು ಇದೆಯೇ? (nimmalli nīru ideyē?). Built from ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ = with you; ನೀರು = water; ಇದೆಯೇ? = is there?.

• ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ... ಇದೆಯೇ? (nimmalli... ideyē?) — do you have...?
• ನನಗೆ... ಬೇಕು (nanage... bēku) — I want...
• ಎಲ್ಲಿ...? (elli...?) — where is...?

The same ಇದೆಯೇ? also asks 'is there…?' Perfect for places and facilities.

To say “Is there a station?” in Kannada: ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಇದೆಯೇ? (nildāṇa ideyē?). Built from ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ = station; ಇದೆಯೇ? = is there?.

To say “Do you have a room?” in Kannada: ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಕೋಣೆ ಇದೆಯೇ? (nimmalli kōṇe ideyē?). Built from ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ = with you; ಕೋಣೆ = a room; ಇದೆಯೇ? = is there?.

Family & people

Key pieces: ಕುಟುಂಬ · ಅಮ್ಮ · ಅಪ್ಪ · ಗೆಳೆಯ

Family words: ಕುಟುಂಬ (family), ಅಮ್ಮ (mother), ಅಪ್ಪ (father).

• ಕುಟುಂಬ (kuṭumba) — family
• ಅಮ್ಮ (amma) — mother
• ಅಪ್ಪ (appa) — father
• ಸಹೋದರ (sahōdara) — brother Memory hook: ≈ Sanskrit sahōdara (sibling).
• ಗೆಳೆಯ (geḷeya) — friend

To say “This is my friend” in Kannada: ಇದು ನನ್ನ ಗೆಳೆಯ (idu nanna geḷeya). Built from ಇದು = this; ನನ್ನ = my; ಗೆಳೆಯ = friend.

To say 'I have', Kannada uses ನನಗೆ … ಇದೆ — literally 'to me … there is'. The word is ಇದೆ .

To say “I have a family” in Kannada: ನನ್ನ ಕುಟುಂಬ ಇದೆ (nanna kuṭumba ide). Built from ನನ್ನ = my; ಕುಟುಂಬ = family; ಇದೆ = there is.

To say “I have a brother” in Kannada: ನನಗೆ ಸಹೋದರ ಇದ್ದಾನೆ (nanage sahōdara iddāne). Built from ನನಗೆ = to me; ಸಹೋದರ = brother; ಇದ್ದಾನೆ = there is (male).

Time, days & weather

Key pieces: ಇಂದು · ನಾಳೆ · ಹವಾಮಾನ

Today is ಇಂದು , tomorrow is ನಾಳೆ , yesterday is ನಿನ್ನೆ .

• ಇಂದು (indu) — today
• ನಾಳೆ (nāḷe) — tomorrow
• ನಿನ್ನೆ (ninne) — yesterday
• ಹವಾಮಾನ (havāmāna) — weather

To say “See you tomorrow” in Kannada: ನಾಳೆ ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗೋಣ (nāḷe bhēṭiyāgōṇa). Built from ನಾಳೆ = tomorrow; ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗೋಣ = let's meet.

Ask about the weather: ಹವಾಮಾನ ಹೇಗಿದೆ? — how's the weather?

To say “How's the weather?” in Kannada: ಹವಾಮಾನ ಹೇಗಿದೆ? (havāmāna hēgide?). Built from ಹವಾಮಾನ = weather; ಹೇಗಿದೆ? = how is it?.

To say “It's raining today” in Kannada: ಇಂದು ಮಳೆ ಬರುತ್ತದೆ (indu maḷe baruttade). Built from ಇಂದು = today; ಮಳೆ = rain; ಬರುತ್ತದೆ = comes.

Small talk & your name

Key pieces: ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು · ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹೆಸರೇನು?

Introduce yourself: ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು Alex — my name is…

To say “My name is Alex” in Kannada: ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು Alex (nanna hesaru Alex). Built from ನನ್ನ = my; ಹೆಸರು = name; Alex = your name.

To ask someone's name: ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹೆಸರೇನು?

To say “What's your name?” in Kannada: ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹೆಸರೇನು? (nimma hesarēnu?). Built from ನಿಮ್ಮ = your; ಹೆಸರೇನು? = what name?.

A warm reply to an introduction: ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಲು ಸಂತೋಷ — pleased to meet you.

To say “Pleased to meet you” in Kannada: ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಲು ಸಂತೋಷ (nimmannu bhēṭiyāgalu santōṣa). Built from ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು = you; ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಲು = to meet; ಸಂತೋಷ = pleasure.

• ನನ್ನ ಹೆಸರು... (nanna hesaru...) — my name is...
• ನಿಮ್ಮ ಹೆಸರೇನು? (nimma hesarēnu?) — what's your name?
• ಸಂತೋಷ (santōṣa) — pleasure

Health & emergency

Key pieces: ಸಹಾಯ · ವೈದ್ಯ · ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ

The most important word if you need help: ಸಹಾಯ — help!

• ಸಹಾಯ (sahāya) — help!
• ವೈದ್ಯ (vaidya) — the doctor Memory hook: ≈ Sanskrit vaidya, Ayurvedic.
• ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ (āspatre) — the hospital Memory hook: ≈ hospital (Hindi aspataal).
• ನನಗೆ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ (nanage arthavāguttilla) — I don't understand

To say “Help!” in Kannada: ಸಹಾಯ! (sahāya!). Built from ಸಹಾಯ = help.

To say “I need a doctor” in Kannada: ನನಗೆ ವೈದ್ಯ ಬೇಕು (nanage vaidya bēku). Built from ನನಗೆ = to me; ವೈದ್ಯ = doctor; ಬೇಕು = need.

To say you don't understand: ನನಗೆ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ — very useful.

To say “I have a fever” in Kannada: ನನಗೆ ಜ್ವರವಿದೆ (nanage jvaravide). Built from ನನಗೆ = to me; ಜ್ವರ = fever; ಇದೆ = there is.

To say “I don't understand” in Kannada: ನನಗೆ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ (nanage arthavāguttilla). Built from ನನಗೆ = to me; ಅರ್ಥವಾಗುತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ = I don't understand.

Tying it together

Key pieces: a capstone scene

Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.

To say “Hello, how are you?” in Kannada: ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ? (namaskāra, hēgiddīri?). Built from ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ = hello; ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ? = how are you?.

To say “I want a coffee, please” in Kannada: ನನಗೆ ಕಾಫಿ ಬೇಕು, ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು (nanage kāphi bēku, dayaviṭṭu). Built from ನನಗೆ = to me; ಕಾಫಿ = coffee; ಬೇಕು = want; ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು = please.

To say “Where is the station?” in Kannada: ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿ? (nildāṇa elli?). Built from ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ = station; ಎಲ್ಲಿ? = where?.

To say “Do you have water?” in Kannada: ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ನೀರು ಇದೆಯೇ? (nimmalli nīru ideyē?). Built from ನಿಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ = with you; ನೀರು = water; ಇದೆಯೇ? = is there?.

Culture and etiquette

Namaskāra — hands folded

The folding of the palms into a namaskāra is more than a greeting — it's a sign of respect. The word itself comes from 'to bow'. Use it to open any conversation; it works with everyone, young or old.

Filter coffee ritual

South India runs on strong filter coffee, brewed in a metal tumbler and poured back and forth to froth it. Asking for a kāphi (coffee) and cahā (tea) is a great way to practise your Kannada and get a local smile.

Eating with your hand

A traditional meals platter piles rice with sambar, rasam, curd and a vegetable. People eat with the right hand, mixing everything with the fingers. It's a shared, joyful event — always washed before and after.

Auto rickshaws & getting around

The auto rickshaw is everywhere in Karnataka. Always agree on the fare before the ride, or ask for the meter. A friendly nildāṇa elli? (where is the station?) goes a long way.

Weather is small talk

Kannada speakers love chatting about the monsoon and the heat. Indu maḷe baruttade ('it's raining today') is a perfect icebreaker, and the reply is often a warm share about the seasons.

Respect & family

Family is central, and elders are treated with deep respect — many touch an elder's feet for a blessing. Using amma (mother) for any older woman and appa (father) for any older man is polite and warm.

Example dialogues

At a café

On the bus

At a restaurant

Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.