02. Survival, Logistics, and Emergencies

Mastering this core vocabulary will allow you to survive your first few days in Bengaluru. These aren't just words; they are the communicative tools you need to negotiate, direct transport, fulfill basic needs, and handle critical situations.

1. The Binary Engine of Needs (Want vs. Don't Want)

In a new city, clearly expressing your desires and boundaries is critical.

Bēku ⟨BAY-koo⟩ (Want / Need): The absolute essential. Use it to request items or express necessity.
- Usage: "Nanage ⟨nuh-nuh-GEY⟩ neeru ⟨NEE-roo⟩ bēku" (I want water).
Bēda ⟨BAY-dah⟩ (Don't want / Don't need): Your shield against unwanted offers, higher fares, or persistent vendors.
- Usage: "Plastic bag bēda" (No plastic bag). "One-and-half bēda" (I won't pay 1.5x meter).

2. Establishing Reality (Presence and Knowledge)

These words help you determine if something exists or if you understand a situation.

Illa ⟨ILL-lah⟩ (No / Not here): A powerful word indicating non-existence, absence, or direct disagreement.
- Usage: "Neeru ⟨NEE-roo⟩ illa" (There is no water).
Gothilla ⟨goh-TILL-lah⟩ (I don't know): Highly useful for establishing boundaries regarding local knowledge or language limits.
- Usage: "Nanage ⟨nuh-nuh-GEY⟩ Kannada gothilla" (I don't know Kannada).

3. The Commands of Motion (Verbs)

Always remember the hierarchy of respect. Add an -i or -ri to the verb root to be polite to strangers and service personnel.

Banni ⟨BUN-nee⟩ (Come): The respectful imperative of Baa ⟨BAA⟩. Essential for requesting someone's presence.
Hogi ⟨HOH-gee⟩ (Go): The respectful imperative of Hogu ⟨HOH-goo⟩. Crucial for directing transport.
Nillisi ⟨NIL-lee-see⟩ (Stop): The standard respectful command for instructing an auto or cab driver to halt.

4. Navigating the Streets (Directions)

Mundhe ⟨MOON-dhey⟩ (Forward / Ahead): Used to indicate forward motion.
Hindhe ⟨HIN-dhey⟩ (Behind / Back): Indicates the rear or reversing direction.
Balagade ⟨buh-luh-GAH-dey⟩ (Right side): Made of Bala ⟨BUH-lah⟩ (Right) and gade ⟨GAH-dey⟩ (Side).
Edagade ⟨ay-duh-GAH-dey⟩ (Left side): Made of Eda ⟨AY-dah⟩ (Left) and gade ⟨GAH-dey⟩ (Side).
Nera ⟨NAY-rah⟩ (Straight): A directional adverb used extensively in navigation.

5. Transactions and Giving

Esht-aithu? ⟨ESHT-eye-too⟩ (How much did it become?): The critical phrase for all financial transactions and market inquiries.
Kodi ⟨KOH-dee⟩ (Give): The respectful imperative used when requesting items in a shop or asking for a ticket/change.
Thagonli ⟨tuh-GOHN-lee⟩ (Take): Use this respectfully when handing cash or items to a vendor.
Swalpa kami maadi ⟨SWAL-pah KUH-mee MAA-dee⟩ (Reduce a little): The standard, polite mechanism for initiating bargaining in a market.
Bidi ⟨BEE-dee⟩ (Leave / Let go): Tell the vendor to keep the change, or use it to drop a subject.

6. Communication Actions

Heli ⟨HAY-lee⟩ (Tell / Say): Used to prompt information. "Kannadadalli ⟨kun-nuh-duh-DULL-lee⟩ heli" (Say it in Kannada).
Kalsi ⟨KUL-see⟩ (Send): The respectful imperative. "Location kalsi" (Send the location).
Haki ⟨HAA-kee⟩ (Put / Pour): Used physically (pouring coffee) and mechanically "Meter haki".
Maadi ⟨MAA-dee⟩ (Do): The universal auxiliary verb. Attach it to any English noun to create a 'Kanglish' verb (e.g., "Google Pay maadi").

7. Dining and Restaurants

Kannada	English Meaning	Context / Usage
Oota Aitha? ⟨OO-tah EYE-tah⟩	Had lunch/dinner?	Universal greeting after "Hello".
Menu kodi ⟨MEN-oo KOH-dee⟩	Give menu	Asking for the menu respectfully.
By-two coffee kodi	Give shared coffee	Ordering one coffee split into two glasses (A Bangalore classic).
Bill kodi ⟨BILL KOH-dee⟩	Give bill	Finishing the meal.
Kara kadi madi ⟨KUH-rah KUH-dee MAA-dee⟩	Make it less spicy	Very useful instruction for restaurants.
Oota chennagide ⟨OO-tah chen-nah-GEE-dey⟩	Food is good	"Dosa chennagide." (Dosa is good).

8. Household Emergencies

Kannada	English Meaning	Context / Usage
Neeru barthilla ⟨NEE-roo bar-TILL-lah⟩	Water is not coming	Critical plumbing issue.
Current illa ⟨current ILL-lah⟩	No power	Reporting a power cut.
Clean maadi ⟨clean MAA-dee⟩	Clean it	"Room clean maadi." (Clean the room).
Naale banni ⟨NAA-ley BUN-nee⟩	Come tomorrow	"Ivathu ⟨ee-VUH-too⟩ beda, naale banni." (Not today, come tomorrow).

9. Boundary Setting and Conflict

Be extremely careful with these phrases. They are blunt and direct.

Kannada	English Meaning	Context / Usage
Nannige help beku ⟨NUN-nee-gey help BAY-koo⟩	I need help	Emergency situation calling for assistance.
Hogo! / Hogi! ⟨HOH-goh / HOH-gee⟩	Go! / Get lost!	Hogo is a rude dismissal. Hogi is the respectful "Please go".
Police kares-thini ⟨police kuh-RACE-tee-nee⟩	I will call police	A direct threat for severe harassment.
Nanna thappu aaythu ⟨NUN-nah THUP-poo AAY-too⟩	My mistake happened	The safest way to apologize to authority or police.