Skip to content

10. Household, Groceries, and Logistics

A core lexicon is required to manage the home, instruct domestic help, rent accommodation, and navigate grocery shopping effectively.

1. Renting and Administration

Kannada English Meaning Spoken Hindi Parallel Context / Usage
Baadige ⟨BAA-dee-gey⟩ Rent "Baadige eshtu?" (How much rent?)
Mungada ⟨MOON-guh-dah⟩ Advance / Deposit "Mungada hattu tingalu." (10 months advance).
Kararu ⟨kuh-RAA-roo⟩ Agreement Karar "Kararu maadi." (Make the agreement).
Khali ⟨KHAA-lee⟩ Empty / Vacate Khali "Mane ⟨MUH-ney⟩ khali ideya?" (Is the house available/empty?)
Current Electricity "Current hogide ⟨HOH-gee-dey⟩." (Power is gone).
Khate ⟨KHAA-tey⟩ Account Khaata "Khate open maadbeku ⟨MAAD-bay-koo⟩." (Want to open account).
Sahi ⟨SAA-hee⟩ Signature "Illi ⟨ILL-lee⟩ sahi maadi." (Sign here).
Duddu / Hana ⟨DOOD-doo / HUH-nah⟩ Money "Duddu kodi ⟨KOH-dee⟩." (Give money).

2. Household Chores and Domestic Management

Directing domestic help requires specific vocabulary, particularly distinguishing between different types of washing and cleaning.

Kannada English Meaning Context / Usage
Kasam gudisu ⟨KUH-sum goo-DEE-soo⟩ Sweep the floor Kasam (trash) + gudisu (sweep).
Nela oresu ⟨NAY-lah oh-RAY-soo⟩ Wipe the floor Nela (floor) + oresu (wipe).
Paathre tolee ⟨PAA-trey toh-LAY⟩ Wash vessels Paathre (vessels) + tolee (wash hard objects).
Batte ogey ⟨BUT-tey OH-gay⟩ Wash clothes Batte (clothes) + ogey (wash fabrics).
Kasa haaki ⟨KUH-sah HAA-kee⟩ Throw trash Kasa (trash) + haaki (put/throw).
Bagilu tegey ⟨BAH-gee-loo tay-GAY⟩ Open door Bagilu (door) + tegey (open).

3. Personal Services (Salon & Tailor)

Kannada English Meaning Context / Usage
Kudlu ⟨KOOD-loo⟩ Hair "Kudlu jaasthi ⟨JAAS-tee⟩ ide." (Hair is too long/much).
Gadda ⟨GUD-dah⟩ Beard "Gadda tegeyiri ⟨tay-GAY-ee-ree⟩." (Remove beard / Shave).
Chikkadagi ⟨chik-kuh-DAH-gee⟩ Short / Small "Chikkadagi maadi." (Make it short).
Alathe ⟨uh-LAH-they⟩ Measurement "Alathe thogoli ⟨TOH-goh-lee⟩." (Take measurement).

4. The Kitchen and Groceries

Essential vocabulary for the local market or instructing a cook.

Staples

  • Akki ⟨UK-kee⟩ (Rice - Raw)
  • Anna ⟨UN-nah⟩ (Rice - Cooked)
  • Haalu ⟨HAA-loo⟩ (Milk)
  • Mosaru ⟨MOH-suh-roo⟩ (Curd/Yogurt)
  • Uppu ⟨oop-POO⟩ (Salt)
  • Sakkare ⟨SUK-kuh-rey⟩ (Sugar)
  • Enne ⟨EN-ney⟩ (Oil)
  • Neeru ⟨NEE-roo⟩ (Water)

Vegetables and Fruits (Tharakari ⟨thaa-ruh-KAA-ree⟩ & Hannu ⟨HUN-noo⟩)

Kannada English Meaning
Eerulli ⟨EE-rool-lee⟩ Onion
Bellulli ⟨bell-LOOL-lee⟩ Garlic
Shunti ⟨SHOON-tee⟩ Ginger
Kothambari ⟨koh-THUM-buh-ree⟩ Coriander
Karibevu ⟨KUH-ree-BAY-voo⟩ Curry leaves
Menasinakai ⟨may-nuh-see-nuh-KAI⟩ Chilli
Aloogadde ⟨ah-LOO-gud-dey⟩ Potato
Tenginakaye ⟨ten-gee-nuh-KAA-yey⟩ Coconut
Mavinahannu ⟨MAA-vee-nah-hun-noo⟩ Mango

| Nimbehannu ⟨NIM-bey-hun-noo⟩ | Lemon | | Soute-kai ⟨SOW-tey-kai⟩ | Cucumber | | Tomato | Tomato |

5. Nature and Animals

Kannada English Meaning
Naayi ⟨NAA-yee⟩ Dog
Bekku ⟨BECK-koo⟩ Cat
Hasu ⟨HUH-soo⟩ Cow
Hakki ⟨HUK-kee⟩ Bird
Mara ⟨muh-RAH⟩ Tree
Male ⟨MAA-ley⟩ Rain
Bisilu / Surya ⟨bee-SEE-loo / SOOR-yah⟩ Sun / Sunlight
Chandra ⟨CHUN-drah⟩ Moon
Nadi ⟨NUH-dee⟩ River

Comments