Navigating Bengaluru traffic requires clear, authoritative directions. The core spatial markers you learned previously (illi ⟨ILL-lee⟩, alli ⟨ULL-lee⟩) are combined with these directional commands to form the "Auto-Rickshaw Protocol". Handling interactions on the street, including traffic police or minor conflicts, is also crucial.
1. The Auto-Rickshaw Protocol
Before boarding, always establish the destination and the pricing model.
Destination Check: Always ask before boarding: "[Location] hoguttha?" ⟨HOH-goo-THAH⟩ (Will it go to [Location]?).
Pricing Demand: Establish the rate: "Meter haaki" ⟨MAY-ter HAA-kee⟩ (Put the meter down) or "Meter rate kodthini" ⟨KOD-tee-nee⟩ (I will pay the meter rate).
Refusing Surge Pricing:"One-and-half beda" ⟨BAY-dah⟩ (I don't want to pay the 1.5x meter charge).
2. Navigating the Streets (Directions)
Use these terms with the respectful imperative verbs like Hogi ⟨HOH-gee⟩ (Go) or Thagonli ⟨tuh-GOHN-lee⟩ (Take) or Nillisi ⟨NIL-lee-see⟩ (Stop).
Kannada
English Meaning
Context / Usage
Nēra / Sita ⟨NAY-rah / SEE-tah⟩
Straight
"Nēra hogi" (Go straight).
Edagade ⟨ay-duh-GAH-dey⟩
Left Side
Made of Eda ⟨AY-dah⟩ (Left) and gade ⟨GAH-dey⟩ (Side). "Edagade thagonli" (Take a left).
Balagade ⟨buh-luh-GAH-dey⟩
Right Side
Made of Bala ⟨BUH-lah⟩ (Right) and gade ⟨GAH-dey⟩ (Side). "Balagade thagonli" (Take a right).
Mundhe ⟨MOON-dhey⟩
Forward / Ahead
"Swalpa ⟨SWAL-pah⟩ mundhe nillisi" (Stop a little ahead).
Hindhe ⟨HIN-dhey⟩
Behind / Back
Indicates the rear or reversing direction. "Hindhe banni ⟨BUN-nee⟩" (Come back/reverse).
Illi ⟨ILL-lee⟩
Here
"Illi nillisi" (Stop here).
Alli ⟨ULL-lee⟩
There
"Alli nillisi" (Stop there).
Bega hogi ⟨BAY-gah HOH-gee⟩
Go fast
"Naanu late aagideeni ⟨AAH-gee-DAY-nee⟩, bega hogi" (I'm getting late, go fast).
Nidhana hogi ⟨nee-DHAA-nah HOH-gee⟩
Go slow
Useful for rough roads or navigating narrow gullies.
3. Distance and Space
Kannada
English Meaning
Context / Usage
Hathira ⟨HUH-thee-rah⟩
Near
"Hathira ide ⟨ee-DAY⟩" (It is near).
Doora ⟨DOO-rah⟩
Far
"Thumba ⟨THOOM-bah⟩ doora" (Very far).
Olagade ⟨OH-luh-guh-dey⟩
Inside
Useful for directing delivery personnel to leave items inside a gate.
Horagade / Aache ⟨HOH-ruh-guh-dey / AAH-chey⟩
Outside
Used to instruct drivers or guests to wait externally.
Munde daari illa ⟨MOON-dey DAA-ree ILL-lah⟩
Dead End
Literally: Forward road is not there / No road ahead.
4. Traffic Police and Road Rage
Kannada
English Meaning
Context / Usage
Munde nodi ⟨MOON-dey NOH-dee⟩
Look ahead
Used when someone is driving carelessly.
Daari bidi ⟨DAA-ree BEE-dee⟩
Leave way
Asking for space to pass.
Signalralli nillisi ⟨signal-ULL-lee NIL-lee-see⟩
Stop at the signal
Auto/Cab instruction.
Fine eshtu? ⟨fine ESH-too⟩
How much fine?
Interaction with traffic police.
Licence ide ⟨licence ee-DAY⟩
I have licence
Showing documentation.
Parking elli ide? ⟨parking ELL-ee ee-DAY⟩
Where is parking?
Finding a spot.
5. Conflict De-escalation
The goal here is to soothe tension rather than amplify it.
Kannada
English Meaning
Context / Usage
Summane iri ⟨SOOM-muh-ney ee-REE⟩
Be quiet / Just be
"Saar, summane iri." (Sir, just be quiet).
Jasti mathad-bedi ⟨JAAS-tee muh-THAD-BAY-dee⟩
Don't talk too much
Used to stop an argument from stretching.
Thondre illa / Parvagilla ⟨THON-drey ILL-lah / par-vuh-GILL-lah⟩
No problem / It's okay
Ideal for resolving minor bumps or mistakes.
Nanna thappu illa ⟨NUN-nah THUP-poo ILL-lah⟩
Not my mistake
Firmly defending yourself.
Mosa ⟨MOH-sah⟩
Cheat / Fraud
"Idu ⟨ee-DOO⟩ mosa." (This is cheating).
6. Medical Emergencies
If you need to quickly communicate distress to an auto driver, pharmacist, or bystander, these phrases are universally understood.