08. Travel, Directions, and Conflict
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.
| Kannada | English Meaning | Context / Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Bega hospitalge hogi ⟨BAY-gah hospital-GEY HOH-gee⟩ | Go to the hospital fast | Instructing an auto or cab driver. |
| Tale novu ide ⟨TAH-ley NOH-voo ee-DAY⟩ | My head is aching | General distress (Tale = Head, Novu = Pain). |
| Jvara bandide ⟨JVUH-rah BUN-dee-dey⟩ | I got a fever | Asking for basic medicine at a pharmacy. |
| Raktha bartide ⟨RUK-thah bar-TEE-dey⟩ | Bleeding is happening | Accidental emergency (Raktha = Blood). |
| Doctor ellidare? ⟨doctor ELL-ee-duh-rey⟩ | Where is the doctor? | Finding help in a clinic. |
7. Home and Vehicle Repairs
| Kannada | English Meaning | Context / Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Puncture aagide ⟨puncture AAH-gee-dey⟩ | It is punctured | Tyre trouble. |
| Neeru soruthide ⟨NEE-roo SOH-roo-thee-dey⟩ | Water is leaking | Plumbing issue. |
| Pipe block aagide ⟨pipe block AAH-gee-dey⟩ | Pipe is blocked | Drain issue. |
| Light urith-illa ⟨light oo-RITH-ILL-lah⟩ | Light is not burning | Electrical issue. |
| Fan thirug-thilla ⟨fan thee-ROOG-TILL-lah⟩ | Fan not turning | Broken appliance. |
| Switch work aag-thilla ⟨switch work AAH-guh-TILL-lah⟩ | Switch not working | Broken switch. |
| Estu aaguthe? ⟨ESH-too AAH-goo-they⟩ | How much will it be? | Asking for an estimate before work begins. |