05. Core Verbs & Grammar
Memorizing the verb root alongside its imperative (command) form allows for immediate action.
Crucial Rule: Appending -i or -ri to the verb root ensures the request is polite. Use this default for everyone except close friends or children.
1. Core Action Verbs (The Engines of Communication)
These verbs handle physical movement, giving, and taking.
- Baa / Banni ⟨BAA / BUN-nee⟩ (Come): Banni is the required formal application.
- Usage: "Olage ⟨OH-luh-gey⟩ banni" (Please come inside).
- Hogu / Hogi ⟨HOH-goo / HOH-gee⟩ (Go): Essential for directing transport.
- Kodu / Kodi ⟨KOH-doo / KOH-dee⟩ (Give): Used when requesting items in a shop or asking for a ticket.
- Thogo / Thagonli ⟨TOH-goh / tuh-GOHN-lee⟩ (Take): Used when handing cash or items to a vendor.
- Maadu / Maadi ⟨MAA-doo / MAA-dee⟩ (Do): The universal auxiliary verb.
- Nodu / Nodi ⟨NOH-doo / NOH-dee⟩ (See / Look): Use it to direct someone's attention.
- Haaku / Haaki ⟨HAA-koo / HAA-kee⟩ (Put / Drop): Used to pour liquids or request mechanical action.
- Tegey / Tegeyiri ⟨tay-GAY / tay-GAY-ee-ree⟩ (Open / Remove):
- Usage: "Bagilu ⟨BAH-gee-loo⟩ tegeyiri" (Open the door).
- Bidu / Bidi ⟨BEE-doo / BEE-dee⟩ (Leave / Let go):
- Usage: "Change bidi" (Keep the change).
- Nillu / Nillisi ⟨NIL-loo / NIL-lee-see⟩ (Stop): The standard respectful command for halting transport.
- Usage: "Illi ⟨ILL-lee⟩ nillisi" (Stop here).
- Iru / Iri ⟨ee-ROO / ee-REE⟩ (Be / Wait): The existential verb.
- Usage: "Summane ⟨SOOM-muh-ney⟩ iri" (Just be / Keep quiet).
2. Communication and Data Processing
These verbs handle speech, information transfer, and instruction.
- Heli ⟨HAY-lee⟩ (Tell / Say): Used to prompt information, like asking a vendor a final price.
- Keli ⟨KAY-lee⟩ (Ask / Listen): Used to gain attention before a question.
- Kalsu / Kalsi ⟨KUL-soo / KUL-see⟩ (Send): "Message kalsi"
- Karesu / Karesi ⟨kuh-RAY-soo / kuh-RAY-see⟩ (Call / Summon Someone): "Avaranna ⟨uh-vuh-RUN-nah⟩ karesi"
- Bary / Bareyiri ⟨BAH-ree / buh-RAY-ee-ree⟩ (Write): "Hesaru ⟨HEH-suh-roo⟩ bareyiri"
- Odu / Odiri ⟨OH-doo / OH-dee-ree⟩ (Read): "Idanna ⟨ee-DUN-nah⟩ odiri"
3. Food and Consumption
- Tinnu / Tinni ⟨TIN-noo / TIN-nee⟩ (Eat):
- Usage: "Oota ⟨OO-tah⟩ tinni" (Eat food).
- Kudi / Kudiri ⟨KOO-dee / KOO-dee-ree⟩ (Drink):
- Usage: "Neeru ⟨NEE-roo⟩ kudiri" (Drink water).
4. Basic Sentence Forms (Present & Past)
Finite verbs in Kannada must precisely mirror the subject.
| English Sentence | Kannada Translation | Context / Tense Focus |
|---|---|---|
| I am going now. | Naanu ⟨NAA-noo⟩ eega ⟨EE-gah⟩ hogthini ⟨HOG-tee-nee⟩. | Present (1st Person): Root (Hogu) + Tense (-t-) + Pronoun (-ini). "I am going." |
| They came yesterday. | Avru ⟨UV-roo⟩ ninne ⟨NIN-ney⟩ bandru ⟨BUN-droo⟩. | Past (3rd Person Plural/Respect): Root (Baru) past tense form. "They came." |
| I will do it tomorrow. | Nale ⟨NAA-ley⟩ maadthini ⟨MAAD-tee-nee⟩. | Future Intent: Present tense conjugation often acts as near future. "I will do." |
| Look, then speak. | Nodi ⟨NOH-dee⟩, aamele ⟨AAH-may-ley⟩ heli ⟨HAY-lee⟩. | Sequential Commands: Use the respectful imperative chained together. |
5. Core Conjunctions (Sentence Linking)
These words form the backbone of complex conversational Kannada.
| Kannada | English Meaning | Context / Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Mattu / Matthe ⟨MUT-too / MUT-they⟩ | And / Then | Used to link items (Idli mattu Vada) or ask "Then what?" (Aamele matthe?). |
| Aadare / Adare ⟨AAH-duh-rey / UH-duh-rey⟩ | But | Essential for contrast. "Naanu bande ⟨BUN-dey⟩, aadare neevu irilla ⟨ee-RILL-lah⟩." (I came, but you weren't there). |
| Athava ⟨uh-THUH-vah⟩ | Or | Used for options. "Coffee athava Tea?" (Coffee or Tea?). |
| Yakandre / Ekeandre ⟨YAA-kun-drey / AY-key-UN-drey⟩ | Because | Combines Yaake ⟨YAA-key⟩ (Why) and Andare ⟨UN-duh-rey⟩ (If said). "Naanu barilla ⟨buh-RILL-lah⟩, yakandre kelsa ⟨KEL-sah⟩ itthu ⟨IT-too⟩." (I didn't come because I had work). |
| Adakke / Idarinda ⟨uh-DUK-key / ee-duh-RIN-dah⟩ | Therefore / So | "Male ⟨MAA-ley⟩ banthu ⟨BUN-too⟩, adakke traffic." (Rain came, so traffic). |
| Hodre / Andare ⟨HOHD-rey / UN-duh-rey⟩ | If so / Then | "Neenu ⟨NEE-noo⟩ hodre, naanu barthini ⟨bar-TEE-nee⟩." (If you go, I will come). |
6. Advanced Pronoun & Tense Quick Reference
While you know the basic pronouns, here is how they pair with the future tense auxiliary verbs for the root Māḍu ⟨MAA-doo⟩ (to do), Hogu ⟨HOH-goo⟩ (to go), and Baru ⟨BAH-roo⟩ (to come).
- Naanu ⟨NAA-noo⟩ (I) -> Maadthini ⟨MAAD-tee-nee⟩ (I will do), Hogthini ⟨HOG-tee-nee⟩ (I will go), Barthini ⟨bar-TEE-nee⟩ (I will come - useful for delivery updates).
- Naavu ⟨NAA-voo⟩ (We) -> Maadthivi ⟨MAAD-tee-vee⟩ (We will do).
- Neenu ⟨NEE-noo⟩ (You - Casual) -> Maadtiya? ⟨MAAD-tee-yah⟩ (Will you do?).
- Neevu ⟨NEE-voo⟩ (You - Respectful) -> Maadtira? ⟨MAAD-tee-rah⟩ (Will you do?).
- Avanu ⟨uh-VUH-noo⟩ (He) -> Maadthane ⟨MAAD-thaa-ney⟩ (He will do).
- Avalu ⟨uh-VUH-loo⟩ (She) -> Maadthale ⟨MAAD-thaa-ley⟩ (She will do).
- Avru ⟨UV-roo⟩ (They / Respectful He/She) -> Maadthare ⟨MAAD-thaa-rey⟩ (They will do).
- Adu ⟨UH-doo⟩ (It - Neuter) -> Maaduthe ⟨MAA-doo-they⟩ (It will do).