Asking for directions in Kannada takes only a few short questions, and they work just as well in a Bengaluru side street as at a bus stand in a hill town. This guide covers where things are, this way and that way, buses and tickets, distance and walking, and finding a room for the night, all in spoken Kannada written in English letters. Along the way you'll pick up three small grammar pieces that make the questions click.
Where is it?
The pattern is simple: the thing you want, then "yelli ide?", where is it?
| Say it | ಕನ್ನಡ | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bus stop yelli ide? | ಬಸ್ ಸ್ಟಾಪ್ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆ? | Where's the bus stop? (literally: bus stop where is) |
| Toilet yelli ide? | ಟಾಯ್ಲೆಟ್ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆ? | Where's the toilet? (literally: toilet where is) |
| Metro station hatra | ಮೆಟ್ರೋ ಸ್ಟೇಷನ್ ಹತ್ರ | Near the metro station (literally: metro station near) |
| Hattira ide | ಹತ್ತಿರ ಇದೆ | It's close by (literally: near is) |
"Metro station hatra" is the kind of answer you'll get back: a landmark plus hatra, near. Listen for it.
This way, that way
Ee and aa go before a noun
Idu and adu ("this" and "that") stand on their own, as in "idu eshtu?". When a noun follows, they shrink to ee and aa: ee bus, this bus; aa kade, that side. Same idea, shorter word.
| Say it | ಕನ್ನಡ | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ee kade | ಈ ಕಡೆ | This way (literally: this side) |
| Aa kade | ಆ ಕಡೆ | That way (literally: that side) |
Most directions you're given will come with a pointed hand and one of these two. If someone says "ee kade", follow them; "aa kade" means over there.
When you're lost
| Say it | ಕನ್ನಡ | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Daari thappide | ದಾರಿ ತಪ್ಪಿದೆ | I'm lost (literally: way has-gone-wrong) |
| Ee address gottha? | ಈ ಅಡ್ರೆಸ್ ಗೊತ್ತಾ? | Do you know this address? (literally: this address known?) |
| Yelli hogbeku? | ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗಬೇಕು? | Where do you want to go? (literally: where go-need) |
"Ee address gottha?" is perfect when you have an address on your phone but no idea where it is: show it and ask. Expect "Yelli hogbeku?" in return if you start with "Daari thappide".
How far, and can I walk?
-inda means "from"
If you've ever said "Nanu Dilli inda", I am from Delhi, you've already used it. The same -inda makes illinda, from here. Pair it with eshtu doora and you can ask how far anything is.
| Say it | ಕನ್ನಡ | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Illinda eshtu doora? | ಇಲ್ಲಿಂದ ಎಷ್ಟು ದೂರ? | How far is it from here? (literally: here-from how-much far) |
| Nadkondu hogbahuda? | ನಡ್ಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗಬಹುದಾ? | Can I walk there? (literally: walking go-may?) |
| Eshtu hottu aagatte? | ಎಷ್ಟು ಹೊತ್ತು ಆಗತ್ತೆ? | How long does it take? (literally: how-much time will-become) |
Don't mix up the two "how" questions: "Illinda eshtu doora?" asks about distance, while "Eshtu hottu aagatte?" asks about time.
Buses and tickets
-atta? asks "does it?"
To ask whether something happens or will happen, end the verb in -atta (you will also hear -utta): hogatta, does it go?; sigatta, is it available? It's the same pattern as "Neeru barutta?", is there a water supply?, and it is the key to every bus stand.
| Say it | ಕನ್ನಡ | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ee bus Mysurige hogatta? | ಈ ಬಸ್ ಮೈಸೂರಿಗೆ ಹೋಗತ್ತಾ? | Does this bus go to Mysuru? (literally: this bus Mysuru-to goes?) |
| Yaavaga horadatte? | ಯಾವಾಗ ಹೊರಡತ್ತೆ? | When does it leave? (literally: when will-set-out) |
| Ticket eshtu? | ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಎಷ್ಟು? | How much is the ticket? |
| Ondu ticket kodi | ಒಂದು ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಕೊಡಿ | One ticket, please (literally: one ticket give-please) |
In "Mysurige", Mysuru plus -ge becomes Mysurige: the -u drops before the ending. "Ee bus" is a question about the bus in front of you, so you'll want to ask it before you climb aboard. "Yaavaga horadatte?" is about departure, not arrival.
Getting a room
| Say it | ಕನ್ನಡ | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Room sigatta? | ರೂಮ್ ಸಿಗತ್ತಾ? | Can I get a room? (literally: room will-be-found?) |
Another -atta question: literally "will a room be found?". It asks whether one is available, not how much it costs or whether it's clean.
A quick conversation
You've just arrived in Madikeri for the weekend. At the bus stand you meet Manju, who helps out there when the autos are quiet.
- Manju: Namaskara — Hello / Greetings
- You: Daari thappide — I'm lost
- Manju: Yelli hogbeku? — Where do you want to go?
- You: Ee address gottha? — Do you know this address?
- Manju: Houdu — Yes
- You: Illinda eshtu doora? — How far is it from here?
- Manju: Hattira ide — It's close by
- You: Nadkondu hogbahuda? — Can I walk there?
- Manju: Ee kade — This way
- You: Dhanyavada — Thank you
- Manju: Sari — OK / Fine
- You: Room sigatta? — Can I get a room?
Quick tips
- One problem at a time: say you're lost and find the place before asking about rooms or tickets.
- Show, then ask. With "Ee address gottha?" the address on your screen does half the work.
- If someone says it's close by, skip "how long does it take?" and ask "Nadkondu hogbahuda?" instead.