Learning Odia: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Odia 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 Odia is like
Odia word order follows Subject–Object–Verb: mote pani darakara (to me water is-needed = "I want water"). To say you want / need something, say mote ... darakara — "to me ... is needed." The polite you is apana; use it with strangers and elders. Plurals are usually clear from context, so you don't have to memorize plural endings. Odia is written left-to-right in its own Brahmic script and is an Indo-Aryan language — a close sibling to Bengali, Assamese and Hindi.
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Odia has its own beautiful Brahmic alphabet. A few sounds don't exist in English — especially the breathy (aspirated) consonants, the curled retroflex sounds, and a rare "ḷ" and flap "ṛ". Learn these and you'll be understood.
- ଳ (ḷa) — a retroflex "l": curl the tongue back — to English ears it can sound like a short "r"., as in ଫଳ = phaḷa (fruit) · ଗଳା = gaḷā (throat).
- ଢ଼ (ṛha) — a retroflex flap "r": a quick tap of the tongue, like a single rolled r., as in ଅଢ଼େଇ = aṛhei (two and a half).
- ଖ (kha) — aspirated "k": say "k" with a strong puff of breath., as in ଖରା = khara (sunlight) · ଖିଆ = khia (a meal).
- ଘ (gha) — aspirated "g": "g" plus a breath, like the "gh" sound., as in ଘର = ghara (house).
- ଛ (chha) — aspirated "ch": "ch" with a big puff of air., as in ଛଅ = chhaa (six).
- ଶ (sha) — a soft "sh" as in "she" — the tongue near the roof of the mouth., as in ଶୁଭ = shubha (auspicious).
- ଷ (ṣa) — a harder "sh": tongue curled back, closer to the "s" sound., as in ଦୋଷ = dōṣa (fault) · ଷଠି = ṣaṭhi (sixty).
- ଭ (bha) — aspirated "b": "b" plus a breath, like the "bh" in "abhor"., as in ଭାତ = bhata (rice) · ଭଲ = bhala (good).
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.
| Odia | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ନମସ୍କାର | na-MAS-ka-ra | Hello |
| ଶୁଭ ସକାଳ | SHUBHA sa-KA-la | Good morning |
| ବିଦାୟ | bi-DA-ya | Goodbye |
| ଆପଣ କେମିତି ଅଛନ୍ତି? | a-po-na KE-mi-ti a-CHHAN-ti | How are you? |
| ମୁଁ ଭଲ ଅଛି, ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ | mu BHA-la a-CHHI, dha-nya-BA-da | I'm well, thanks |
| ମୋ ନାମ Alex | mo NA-ma Alex | My name is Alex |
| କୃପା କରି | KRI-pa ka-ri | Please |
| ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ | dha-nya-BA-da | Thank you |
| ମାଫ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ | maaf KA-ran-tu | Sorry / excuse me |
| ହଁ | ha | Yes |
| ନା | na | No |
| ଠିକ୍ ଅଛି | THIK a-CHHI | OK |
| ଏକ | E-ka | 1 |
| ଦୁଇ | du-i | 2 |
| ତିନି | TI-ni | 3 |
| ଚାରି | CHA-ri | 4 |
| ପାଞ୍ଚ | PAN-cha | 5 |
| ଦଶ | DA-sha | 10 |
| ଭାତ | BHA-ta | rice |
| ମାଛ | MA-chhi | fish |
| ପାଣି | PA-ni | water |
| ଚା | cha | tea |
| କଫି | KA-fi | coffee |
| ବିଲ ଦିଅ | BI-la di-a | the bill, please |
| କେଉଁଠି? | KE-u-nthi | Where? |
| ଡାହାଣ | DA-ha-na | to the right |
| ବାମ | BA-ma | to the left |
| ସିଧା | SI-dha | straight ahead |
| ସ୍ଟେସନ କେଉଁଠି? | ste-SHON KE-u-nthi | Where is the station? |
| କେତେ? | ke-TE | how much is it? |
How the Odia 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:
- Greetings & being polite — ନମସ୍କାର · ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ · କୃପା କରି
- Being polite — ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ · କୃପା କରି · ମାଫ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ · ହଁ · ନା
- Numbers 1–10 — ଏକ · ଦୁଇ · ତିନି · ଦଶ
- I want" — mote ... darakara — ମୋତେ ... ଦରକାର · ଦିଅ
- Food & drink — ପାଣି · ଭାତ · ଚା · କଫି
- Getting around — କେଉଁଠି? · ଡାହାଣ · ବାମ · ସିଧା
- Questions & "do you have" — ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ... ଅଛି କି? · ଅଛି କି?
- Family & people — ମା · ବାପା · ଭାଇ · ଭଉଣୀ · ସାଙ୍ଗ
- Time, days & weather — ଆଜି · ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି · ଗରମ · ବର୍ଷା
- Small talk & your name — ମୋ ନାମ Alex · ଆପଣଙ୍କ ନାମ କଣ?
- Health & emergency — ସାହାଯ୍ୟ! · ଡାକ୍ତର · ମୁଁ ବୁଝିଲି ନାହିଁ
- Tying it together — A capstone scene — build each line
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: ନମସ୍କାର · ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ · କୃପା କରି
The very first word you'll use: ନମସ୍କାର — namaskara, "hello." It also works as a polite goodbye. Say it out loud.
- ନମସ୍କାର (na-MAS-ka-ra) — hello / greetings
- ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ (dha-nya-BA-da) — thank you
- କୃପା କରି (KRI-pa ka-ri) — please
- ଭଲ (BHA-la) — good
To say “Hello, thank you” in Odia: ନମସ୍କାର, ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ (na-MAS-ka-ra, dha-nya-BA-da). Built from ନମସ୍କାର = hello; ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ = thank you.
To ask how someone is (polite): ଆପଣ କେମିତି ଅଛନ୍ତି? — apana kemiti achhanti?
To say “How are you? (polite)” in Odia: ଆପଣ କେମିତି ଅଛନ୍ତି? (a-po-na KE-mi-ti a-CHHAN-ti). Built from ଆପଣ = you (polite); କେମିତି = how; ଅଛନ୍ତି? = are (you)?.
- ଭଲ ଅଛି, ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ (BHA-la a-CHHI, dha-nya-BA-da) — I'm well, thanks
- ଆପଣ (a-po-na) — you (polite)
- ବିଦାୟ (bi-DA-ya) — goodbye (formal)
To say “I'm well, thank you” in Odia: ଭଲ ଅଛି, ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ (BHA-la a-CHHI, dha-nya-BA-da). Built from ଭଲ ଅଛି = I'm well; ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ = thank you.
Being polite
Key pieces: ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ · କୃପା କରି · ମାଫ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ · ହଁ · ନା
The two politeness words you'll use constantly: କୃପା କରି (please) and ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ (thank you).
- କୃପା କରି (KRI-pa ka-ri) — please
- ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ (dha-nya-BA-da) — thank you
- ମାଫ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ (maaf KA-ran-tu) — sorry / excuse me
- ଠିକ୍ ଅଛି (THIK a-CHHI) — OK / all right
To say “Please, thank you” in Odia: କୃପା କରି, ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ (KRI-pa ka-ri, dha-nya-BA-da). Built from କୃପା କରି = please; ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ = thank you.
To apologize or get someone's attention: ମାଫ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ — maaf karantu, "sorry" / "excuse me."
- ହଁ (ha) — yes
- ନା (na) — no
- ଭଲ (BHA-la) — good
To say “No, thank you” in Odia: ନା, ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ (na, dha-nya-BA-da). Built from ନା = no; ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ = thank you.
To say “OK, good” in Odia: ଠିକ୍ ଅଛି, ଭଲ (THIK a-CHHI, BHA-la). Built from ଠିକ୍ ଅଛି = OK; ଭଲ = good.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: ଏକ · ଦୁଇ · ତିନି · ଦଶ
Numbers are the fastest win. Count along: ଏକ, ଦୁଇ, ତିନି — eka, dui, tini.
- ଏକ (E-ka) — 1
- ଦୁଇ (du-i) — 2
- ତିନି (TI-ni) — 3
- ଚାରି (CHA-ri) — 4
- ପାଞ୍ଚ (PAN-cha) — 5
To say “One, two, three” in Odia: ଏକ, ଦୁଇ, ତିନି (E-ka, du-i, TI-ni). Built from ଏକ = one; ଦୁଇ = two; ତିନି = three.
Six to ten: ଛଅ, ସାତ, ଆଠ, ନଅ, ଦଶ — chhaa, sata, atha, naa, dasha.
- ଛଅ (CHA-ya) — 6
- ସାତ (SA-ta) — 7
- ଆଠ (A-tha) — 8
- ନଅ (na-a) — 9
- ଦଶ (DA-sha) — 10
To say “One, five, ten” in Odia: ଏକ, ପାଞ୍ଚ, ଦଶ (E-ka, PAN-cha, DA-sha). Built from ଏକ = one; ପାଞ୍ଚ = five; ଦଶ = ten.
To ask the price: କେତେ? — kete?, "how much?"
To say “How much is it?” in Odia: କେତେ? (ke-TE). Built from କେତେ? = how much?.
I want" — mote ... darakara
Key pieces: ମୋତେ ... ଦରକାର · ଦିଅ
The phrase to want or need anything: ମୋତେ ... ଦରକାର — mote ... darakara, literally "to me ... is needed."
- ମୋତେ ... ଦରକାର (MO-te ... DA-ra-ka-ra) — I want / I need ...
- ... ଦରକାର ନାହିଁ (DA-ra-ka-ra NA-hi) — I don't need / want
- ଦିଅ (di-a) — give
To say “I want a coffee” in Odia: ମୋତେ କଫି ଦରକାର (MO-te KA-fi DA-ra-ka-ra). Built from ମୋତେ ... ଦରକାର = I want; କଫି = coffee.
To ask for something politely, put the thing first and add ଦିଅ — dia, "give." ପାଣି ଦିଅ = "give me water."
To say “Give me water” in Odia: ପାଣି ଦିଅ (PA-ni di-a). Built from ପାଣି = water; ଦିଅ = give.
To say you don't need something: ମୋତେ ... ଦରକାର ନାହିଁ — mote ... darakara nahi.
To say “I need a doctor” in Odia: ମୋତେ ଡାକ୍ତର ଦରକାର (MO-te DAK-ta-ra DA-ra-ka-ra). Built from ମୋତେ ... ଦରକାର = I need; ଡାକ୍ତର = doctor.
Food & drink
Key pieces: ପାଣି · ଭାତ · ଚା · କଫି
In Odisha, ଭାତ (rice) and ମାଛ (fish) are the everyday staple. Say them out loud.
- ଭାତ (BHA-ta) — rice
- ମାଛ (MA-chhi) — fish
- ଦହି (DA-hi) — yogurt / curd
- ଡାଲି (DA-li) — lentil soup
- ପାଣି (PA-ni) — water Memory hook: ≈ Bengali/Hindi pani (water).
- ଚା (cha) — tea Memory hook: ≈ English chai (tea).
To say “I want rice and fish” in Odia: ମୋତେ ଭାତ ଓ ମାଛ ଦରକାର (MO-te BHA-ta o MA-chhi DA-ra-ka-ra). Built from ଭାତ = rice; ଓ = and; ମାଛ = fish; ଦରକାର = want / need.
Your go-to drinks are ଚା (tea) and କଫି (coffee).
- ଚା (cha) — tea
- କଫି (KA-fi) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
- ଦୁଧ (dudh) — milk
- ବିଲ (BI-la) — the bill Memory hook: ≈ English bill.
To say “A tea, please” in Odia: ଏକ ଚା, କୃପା କରି (E-ka cha, KRI-pa ka-ri). Built from ଏକ = one; ଚା = tea; କୃପା କରି = please.
To ask for the bill: ବିଲ ଦିଅ . For 'delicious', say ସ୍ୱାଦିଷ୍ଟ (swadishta).
To say “It's delicious!” in Odia: ବହୁତ ସ୍ୱାଦିଷ୍ଟ! (ba-HU-ta swa-DIS-ta). Built from ବହୁତ = very; ସ୍ୱାଦିଷ୍ଟ = delicious.
Getting around
Key pieces: କେଉଁଠି? · ଡାହାଣ · ବାମ · ସିଧା
The most useful question in any city: କେଉଁଠି? — keunthi?, "where?" Put the place before it.
- କେଉଁଠି? (KE-u-nthi) — where?
- ସ୍ଟେସନ (ste-SHON) — the station Memory hook: ≈ English station.
- ବସ୍ ଷ୍ଟପ୍ (bas stop) — the bus stop Memory hook: ≈ English bus stop.
- ବାଥରୁମ (BATH-room) — the bathroom
To say “Where is the station?” in Odia: ସ୍ଟେସନ କେଉଁଠି? (ste-SHON KE-u-nthi). Built from ସ୍ଟେସନ = the station; କେଉଁଠି? = where?.
To say “Where is the bathroom?” in Odia: ବାଥରୁମ କେଉଁଠି? (BATH-room KE-u-nthi). Built from ବାଥରୁମ = the bathroom; କେଉଁଠି? = where?.
Directions: ଡାହାଣ (to the right), ବାମ (to the left), ସିଧା (straight ahead).
- ଡାହାଣ (DA-ha-na) — to the right
- ବାମ (BA-ma) — to the left
- ସିଧା (SI-dha) — straight ahead
To say “Straight ahead” in Odia: ସିଧା (SI-dha). Built from ସିଧା = straight ahead.
To say “To the right” in Odia: ଡାହାଣ (DA-ha-na). Built from ଡାହାଣ = to the right.
Questions & "do you have"
Key pieces: ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ... ଅଛି କି? · ଅଛି କି?
To ask "do you have…?", use ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ... ଅଛି କି? — apananka pakhare ... achhi ki? Pop the thing in the middle.
To say “Do you have a menu?” in Odia: ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ମେନୁ ଅଛି କି? (a-po-NAN-ka PA-kha-re ME-nu a-CHHI ki). Built from ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ = do you have; ମେନୁ = menu; ଅଛି କି? = is (it) there?.
For "is there…?", use … ଅଛି କି? — achhi ki? For wifi: ୱାଇଫାଇ ଅଛି କି?
To say “Is there wifi?” in Odia: ୱାଇଫାଇ ଅଛି କି? (WAI-fai a-CHHI ki). Built from ୱାଇଫାଇ = wifi; ଅଛି କି? = is there?.
- କଣ? (ka-na) — what
- କେତେ? (ke-TE) — how much
- ଅଛି (a-CHHI) — there is
- ନାହିଁ (NA-hi) — there is not / don't have
ମୁଁ ବୁଝିଲି ନାହିଁ — mu bujhili nahi, "I don't understand."
To say “I don't understand” in Odia: ମୁଁ ବୁଝିଲି ନାହିଁ (mu bu-JHI-li NA-hi). Built from ମୁଁ = I; ବୁଝିଲି = understood; ନାହିଁ = not.
Family & people
Key pieces: ମା · ବାପା · ଭାଇ · ଭଉଣୀ · ସାଙ୍ଗ
Family words: ମା (mother), ବାପା (father), ଭାଇ (brother), ଭଉଣୀ (sister).
- ମା (ma) — mother
- ବାପା (BA-pa) — father
- ଭାଇ (bhai) — brother Memory hook: ≈ Hindi/Bengali bhai (brother).
- ଭଉଣୀ (BHA-u-ni) — sister
- ପରିବାର (pa-ri-BA-ra) — family
To say “My mother” in Odia: ମୋ ମା (mo ma). Built from ମୋ = my; ମା = mother.
ମୋ = my. Family is ପରିବାର , and friend is ସାଙ୍ଗ (sanga).
- ମୋ (mo) — my
- ଆପଣଙ୍କ (a-po-NAN-ka) — your (polite)
- ସାଙ୍ଗ (SANG-a) — friend
To say “I have a friend” in Odia: ମୋର ଜଣେ ସାଙ୍ଗ ଅଛି (MO-ra ja-NE SANG-a a-CHHI). Built from ମୋର = I have / my; ଜଣେ = a (person); ସାଙ୍ଗ = friend; ଅଛି = have.
To say “I have a brother” in Odia: ମୋର ଜଣେ ଭାଇ ଅଛି (MO-ra ja-NE bhai a-CHHI). Built from ମୋର = I have / my; ଜଣେ = a (person); ଭାଇ = brother; ଅଛି = have.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: ଆଜି · ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି · ଗରମ · ବର୍ଷା
ଆଜି = today, ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି = tomorrow, ଗତକାଲି = yesterday.
- ଆଜି (A-ji) — today
- ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି (a-san-ta-KA-li) — tomorrow
- ଗତକାଲି (ga-ta-KA-li) — yesterday
- ସକାଳ (sa-KA-la) — morning
To say “See you tomorrow” in Odia: ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି ଦେଖା ହେବ (a-san-ta-KA-li DE-kha HE-ba). Built from ଆସନ୍ତାକାଲି = tomorrow; ଦେଖା ହେବ = will meet.
Ask about the weather: ଆଜି ଆବହାୱା କେମିତି ଅଛି? — "how's the weather today?"
- ଆବହାୱା (a-ba-HA-wa) — weather
- ବର୍ଷା (BAR-sha) — rain
- ଗରମ (GA-ra-ma) — hot
- ଶୀତ (SI-ta) — cold
To say “It's hot” in Odia: ବହୁତ ଗରମ (ba-HU-ta GA-ra-ma). Built from ବହୁତ = very; ଗରମ = hot.
Days of the week: ରବିବାର (Sunday), ସୋମବାର (Monday).
- ରବିବାର (RA-bi-ba-ra) — Sunday
- ସୋମବାର (SO-ma-ba-ra) — Monday
To say “Good morning!” in Odia: ଶୁଭ ସକାଳ! (SHUBHA sa-KA-la). Built from ଶୁଭ = good; ସକାଳ = morning.
Small talk & your name
Key pieces: ମୋ ନାମ Alex · ଆପଣଙ୍କ ନାମ କଣ?
Introduce yourself: ମୋ ନାମ Alex — mo nama Alex, "My name is Alex."
To say “My name is Alex” in Odia: ମୋ ନାମ Alex (mo NA-ma Alex). Built from ମୋ = my; ନାମ = name; Alex = your name.
To ask someone's name: ଆପଣଙ୍କ ନାମ କଣ? — apananka nama kana?
To say “What's your name?” in Odia: ଆପଣଙ୍କ ନାମ କଣ? (a-po-NAN-ka NA-ma ka-na). Built from ଆପଣଙ୍କ = your; ନାମ = name; କଣ = what.
"Pleased to meet you" is ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ଭଲ ଲାଗିଲା — apananku bheti bhala lagila.
- ଆପଣ କେମିତି ଅଛନ୍ତି? (a-po-na KE-mi-ti a-CHHAN-ti) — how are you? (polite)
- ମୁଁ ଭଲ ଅଛି (mu BHA-la a-CHHI) — I'm well
- ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ଭଲ ଲାଗିଲା (a-po-NAN-ku BHE-ti BHA-la LA-gi-la) — pleased to meet you
To say “Very good” in Odia: ବହୁତ ଭଲ (ba-HU-ta BHA-la). Built from ବହୁତ = very; ଭଲ = good.
To say “Pleased to meet you” in Odia: ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ଭଲ ଲାଗିଲା (a-po-NAN-ku BHE-ti BHA-la LA-gi-la). Built from ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ = to you; ଭେଟି = to meet; ଭଲ ଲାଗିଲା = felt good.
Health & emergency
Key pieces: ସାହାଯ୍ୟ! · ଡାକ୍ତର · ମୁଁ ବୁଝିଲି ନାହିଁ
The most important word if you need help: ସାହାଯ୍ୟ! — sahajya!, "Help!"
- ସାହାଯ୍ୟ! (sa-HAY-jya) — Help!
- ଡାକ୍ତର (DAK-ta-ra) — the doctor Memory hook: ≈ English doctor.
- ହସପିଟାଲ (has-PI-ta-la) — the hospital
- ଅସୁସ୍ଥ (a-SUS-tha) — sick
To say “Help!” in Odia: ସାହାଯ୍ୟ! (sa-HAY-jya). Built from ସାହାଯ୍ୟ = help.
To say you're unwell: ମୁଁ ଅସୁସ୍ଥ — mu asustha, "I'm sick."
To say “I'm sick” in Odia: ମୁଁ ଅସୁସ୍ଥ (mu a-SUS-tha). Built from ମୁଁ = I; ଅସୁସ୍ଥ = sick.
ମୁଁ ବୁଝିଲି ନାହିଁ = "I don't understand."
- ଜରୁରୀ (ja-RO-ri) — emergency
- ପୁଲିସ (pu-LI-si) — police Memory hook: ≈ English police.
- ମୋତେ ଡାକ୍ତର ଦରକାର (MO-te DAK-ta-ra DA-ra-ka-ra) — I need a doctor
To say “I need a doctor” in Odia: ମୋତେ ଡାକ୍ତର ଦରକାର (MO-te DAK-ta-ra DA-ra-ka-ra). Built from ମୋତେ ... ଦରକାର = I need; ଡାକ୍ତର = doctor.
Tying it together
Key pieces: A capstone scene — build each line
Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only the words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Odia: ନମସ୍କାର, ଆପଣ କେମିତି ଅଛନ୍ତି? (na-MAS-ka-ra, a-po-na KE-mi-ti a-CHHAN-ti). Built from ନମସ୍କାର = hello; ଆପଣ କେମିତି ଅଛନ୍ତି? = how are you?.
To say “I want a tea, please” in Odia: ମୋତେ ଚା ଦରକାର, କୃପା କରି (MO-te cha DA-ra-ka-ra, KRI-pa ka-ri). Built from ମୋତେ ... ଦରକାର = I want; ଚା = tea; କୃପା କରି = please.
To say “Where is the station?” in Odia: ସ୍ଟେସନ କେଉଁଠି? (ste-SHON KE-u-nthi). Built from ସ୍ଟେସନ = the station; କେଉଁଠି? = where?.
To say “How much is it?” in Odia: କେତେ? (ke-TE). Built from କେତେ? = how much?.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- ଆପଣ (a-po-na): polite.
- ବିଦାୟ (bi-DA-ya): formal.
- ଆପଣଙ୍କ (a-po-NAN-ka): polite.
- ଆପଣ କେମିତି ଅଛନ୍ତି? (a-po-na KE-mi-ti a-CHHAN-ti): polite.
Culture and etiquette
Odisha, the soul of the east
On India's eastern coast, Odisha is famed for ancient temples, golden beaches and a rich, distinct culture. The capital Bhubaneswar is called the "City of Temples."
Jagannath & Puri
The Jagannath temple in Puri is one of the holiest Hindu sites. Each summer its famous Rath Yatra (chariot festival) pulls enormous decorated chariots through the streets — a spectacle like no other.
Odissi dance
Odissi is one of India's classical dance forms, born in Odisha's temples. Graceful, sculptural poses and flowing movements tell stories of the gods. It's mesmerizing to watch.
An Indo-Aryan cousin
Odia belongs to the Indo-Aryan family, closely related to Bengali and Assamese. The scripts look different, but huge amounts of everyday vocabulary — pani (water), bhat (rice), bhai (brother) — line up.
Rice & fish, every day
The Odia plate is built on rice (ଭାତ) and fish (ମାଛ), often with dal and a tangy side. Local sweets like chhena poda (a baked cheese cake) are a must-try.
Festivals and colour
Odisha loves a celebration. From the huge Jagannath Rath Yatra to the harvest festival Raja with swings and sweets, and the coastal Konark dance festival — there's colour all year.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: ନମସ୍କାର! ଏକ ଚା, କୃପା କରି। (na-MAS-ka-ra, E-ka cha, KRI-pa ka-ri) — Hello! A tea, please.
Waiter: ଦୁଧ ମିଶାଇବି? (dudh mi-SHA-i-bi) — Shall I add milk?
You: ହଁ, କୃପା କରି। (ha, KRI-pa ka-ri) — Yes, please.
Waiter: ଏଇ ନିଅ। ଦଶ ଟଙ୍କା ହେଲା। (ei ni-a, DA-sha TA-N-ka HE-la) — Here you are. That's ten rupees.
You: ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ! (dha-nya-BA-da) — Thank you!
At the station
You: ମାଫ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ, ସ୍ଟେସନ କେଉଁଠି? (maaf KA-ran-tu, ste-SHON KE-u-nthi) — Excuse me, where's the station?
Local: ସେଠାରେ, ସିଧା। (se-THA-re, SI-dha) — There, straight ahead.
You: ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ। ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱରକୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଟିକେଟ୍, କୃପା କରି। (dha-nya-BA-da, BHU-ba-ne-SHWA-ra-ku GO-TI-e TI-ket, KRI-pa ka-ri) — Thanks. A ticket to Bhubaneswar, please.
Ticket: ପଚାଶ ଟଙ୍କା। ଟ୍ରେନ୍ ସାତଟାରେ। (pa-CHASH TA-N-ka, TREN SA-TA-ta-re) — Fifty rupees. The train is at seven.
You: ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ! (dha-nya-BA-da) — Thanks!
At a restaurant
Waiter: ନମସ୍କାର! ଟେବୁଲ୍ ଦରକାର? (na-MAS-ka-ra, TE-bul DA-ra-ka-ra) — Hello! Do you need a table?
You: ହଁ, ଦୁଇଜଣ। (ha, DU-i-ja-na) — Yes, for two.
You: ମେନୁ, କୃପା କରି। (ME-nu, KRI-pa ka-ri) — The menu, please.
You: ମୋତେ ଭାତ ଓ ମାଛ ଦରକାର। (MO-te BHA-ta o MA-chhi DA-ra-ka-ra) — I'd like rice and fish.
Waiter: ବହୁତ ଭଲ! ଖୁସିରେ ଖାଆନ୍ତୁ! (ba-HU-ta BHA-la, KHU-si-re KHA-an-tu) — Excellent! Enjoy your meal!
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.