Survival Kannada for Beginners

New to Bengaluru and don't speak Kannada? You don't need fluency to get by — just a handful of phrases. Locals genuinely appreciate the effort, and even broken Kannada opens doors. Here's your survival kit, written in easy English phonetics.

The 5 Phrases to Learn First

If you memorise nothing else, memorise these:

Basic Politeness

Autos, Cabs & Getting Around

Ordering Food

A Few Words You'll Hear Everywhere

Oota means a meal. Tindi (or thindi) means snacks or breakfast. Swalpa means "a little" — you'll use it constantly. Saar is a respectful "sir." And maadi roughly means "please do" — Bangaloreans famously blend it into English ("adjust maadi," "send maadi"), so you'll fit right in.

The Most Important Tip

Bengaluru is one of India's most multilingual cities — most people speak some English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and more. You will not be stuck for speaking only English. But making the effort with even a few Kannada words changes how people respond to you. The effort matters far more than the accuracy. Start with "Namaskara" and a smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I survive in Bangalore without knowing Kannada?

Yes. Bengaluru is highly multilingual and English is widely spoken, especially in tech, retail, and hospitality. That said, learning a few basic Kannada phrases is appreciated by locals and helps with autos, markets, and smaller eateries.

How do you say hello in Kannada?

"Namaskara" is the standard greeting in Kannada, used for both hello and a respectful greeting.

What does "maadi" mean?

"Maadi" roughly means "please do" and is often blended into everyday English by Bengaluru locals, as in "adjust maadi."