Skip to content

03. Social & Professional

Bengaluru's social grammar is built on respect and indirect politeness. Mastering these phrases will help you transition from a visitor to a local colleague.

1. The Universal Icebreaker

In Bangalore, you don't generally ask "How are you?" as a primary greeting. You ask about food.

  • Oota aitha? ⟨OO-tah EYE-tah⟩ (Had lunch/dinner?): The #1 Bangalore greeting. It acts as a universal icebreaker.
    • Usage: Always asked after saying "Hello" or "Namaskara" ⟨nuh-mus-KAA-rah⟩.
  • Chennagiddini ⟨chen-nah-GID-dee-nee⟩ (I am fine/good): The standard positive response to inquiries about your well-being (like Heggiddira? ⟨heg-GID-dee-rah⟩).

2. Information Gathering (Interrogatives)

Unlike Hindi, which often places question words (Kya) at the ends of sentences, Kannada uses specific interrogative roots.

  • Yenu? ⟨YAY-noo⟩ (What?): The universal interrogative for objects and concepts; can also express surprise.
    • Usage: "Idhu ⟨ee-DOO⟩ yenu?" (What is this?)
  • Yaru? ⟨YAA-roo⟩ (Who?): The interrogative used specifically for identifying people.
    • Usage: "Ivaru ⟨ee-VUH-roo⟩ yaru?" (Who is this person?)
  • Hesar(u) ⟨HEH-suh-roo⟩ (Name): Essential for introductions.
    • Usage: "Nimma ⟨NIM-mah⟩ hesaru yenu?" (What is your name? - Respectful)
  • Ellidira? ⟨ELL-ee-dee-rah⟩ (Where are you?):
    • Usage: "Neevu ⟨NEE-voo⟩ ellidira?" (Where are you right now?)

3. Office Logistics and Work Culture

Communicating status updates efficiently.

  • Kelsa ⟨KEL-sah⟩ (Work):
    • Usage: "Nanage ⟨nuh-nuh-GEY⟩ kelsa ide ⟨ee-DAY⟩" (I have work).
  • Mugithu ⟨moo-GEE-too⟩ (Finished/Over):
    • Usage: "Meeting mugithu" (Meeting over). "Kelsa mugithu" (Work is finished).
  • Swalpa ⟨SWAL-pah⟩ (A little): A highly utilized adverb that functions as a polite conversational softener.
    • Usage: "Swalpa busy iddini ⟨ID-dee-nee⟩" (I am a little busy).
  • Nade ⟨NUH-dey⟩ (Walk/Move/Go):
    • Usage: "Meeting-ge nade" (Let's walk to the meeting).

4. Time Management and Scheduling

  • Ivathu ⟨ee-VUH-too⟩ (Today):
    • Usage: "Ivathu raje ⟨RAH-jay⟩ ide" (Today is a holiday).
  • Naale ⟨NAA-ley⟩ (Tomorrow): Often used to politely postpone meetings or visits.
    • Usage: "Naale sigona ⟨see-GOH-nah⟩" (Let's meet tomorrow).

5. Joining Ideas (Conjunctions)

These words are the glue for building more complex, natural-sounding sentences.

  • Matthe ⟨MUT-they⟩ (And / Then): Used to link similar items in lists or connect parallel ideas.
    • Usage: "Coffee matthe tea" (Coffee and tea).
  • Adre ⟨UH-drey⟩ (But): Essential for introducing contrast.
    • Usage: "Bēku ⟨BAY-koo⟩, adre illa ⟨ILL-lah⟩" (Want, but don't have).
  • Athava ⟨uh-THUH-vah⟩ (Or): Used for presenting options or choices.
    • Usage: "Coffee athava tea?" (Coffee or tea?)
  • Haage ⟨HAA-gey⟩ (Like that):
    • Usage: "Haage maadi ⟨MAA-dee⟩" (Do it like that).

6. The Cultural Goodbye

In Kannada culture, you rarely say a definitive "I am going" (Naanu hogthini ⟨NAA-noo HOG-tee-nee⟩) when leaving a place, as it is historically considered inauspicious (implying you are leaving and never returning).

Instead, the culturally accurate and polite way to take leave is to say:

"Naanu hogi bartini" ⟨NAA-noo HOH-gee bar-TEE-nee⟩ (I will go and come) or "Hogi baruttene" ⟨HOH-gee buh-roo-TAY-ney⟩ (Respectful).

  • Literal Meaning: "Having gone, I will come back."
  • Context / Usage: Use this when leaving a friend's house, wrapping up a conversational exchange, or saying goodbye to colleagues. It signifies respect, optimism, and the implicit promise that the relationship or connection will continue.