Greetings and politeness in Kannada
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Kannada words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Kannada phrases in this lesson
- ನಮಸ್ಕಾರna-mas-KAA-ra
- Hello
- ಶುಭೋದಯshu-BOH-da-ya
- Good morning
- ಶುಭ ಸಂಜೆSHU-bha SAN-je
- Good evening
- ವಿದಾಯvi-DAA-ya
- Goodbye
- ಆಮೇಲೆ ಸಿಗೋಣAA-mey-le si-GOH-na
- See you
- ದಯವಿಟ್ಟುda-ya-VIT-tu
- Please
- ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳುdhan-ya-VAA-da-ga-lu
- Thank you
- ಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲpa-ra-VAA-gil-la
- You're welcome
- ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಇರಲಿKSHA-me i-RA-li
- Sorry
- ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿKSHA-mi-si
- Excuse me
- ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಿ ಸಂತೋಷವಾಯಿತುNIM-man-nu BHEE-ti-yaa-gi san-THO-sha-vaa-yi-tu
- Nice to meet you
The standard respectful greeting used at any time of day. Works for strangers, elders, and formal situations alike. Accompanied by a slight bow or hands pressed together.
Formal and literary. You will hear it on radio and TV more than in daily conversation. In practice many Kannadigas just say "good morning" in English or use Namaskara.
Formal. In daily life ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ (na-mas-KAA-ra) covers the evening.
A formal farewell. In casual situations Kannadigas often say "bye" in English or "Namaskara" again when leaving.
Literally "let's meet later". ವಿದಾಯ (vi-DAA-ya) is formal and sounds final.
Means literally "with kindness." Place it at the start of a request to soften it. Kannadigas appreciate polite phrasing.
The everyday thank you. Slightly formal in feel. In casual settings people often just say "thanks" in English.
Literally "it does not matter" or "no problem." The go-to response when someone thanks you. Very natural in everyday speech.
Literally "let there be forgiveness", the real apology.
Used to get someone's attention or to ask to pass. Literally "forgive".
Literally "meeting you made me happy".