Ask useful questions
Use question words and polite yes/no forms to get the information you need.
By the end, you can
- Ask what, who, where, when, how, and how much.
- Form and answer a simple polite yes/no question.
Six question words
WordsAsk for information
ExamplesAdd a question ending
In many yes/no questions, the final word takes an -ಆ sound. Compare ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ, “you speak,” with ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೀರಾ?, “do you speak?” Your voice also rises naturally with the question.
ನೀವು ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೀರಾ?
Neevu Kannada maatanaadutteeraa?
Do you speak Kannada? (polite)
ಇದು ಸರಿಯಾ?
Idu sariyaa?
Is this correct?
A useful exchange
ನೀವು ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೀರಾ?
Neevu Kannada maatanaadutteeraa?
Do you speak Kannada?
ಹೌದು, ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Haudu, maatanaaduttene.
Yes, I do.
ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆ?
Bas nildaana elli ide?
Where is the bus stop?
tip
“I know” uses a different pattern
ನನಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತು means “I know,” but its word-for-word shape is closer to “to me, known.” The negative is ನನಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ — nanage gottilla — “I do not know.” Learn these as complete phrases.
Choose the missing question word
Fill the gap, then say the complete Kannada question.
01ಇದು ___? (What is this?)›
ಏನು — ಇದು ಏನು?
02ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ___ ಇದೆ? (Where is the bus stop?)›
ಎಲ್ಲಿ — ಬಸ್ ನಿಲ್ದಾಣ ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆ?
03Politely ask, “Do you speak Kannada?”›
ನೀವು ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೀರಾ? — neevu Kannada maatanaadutteeraa?
What you can keep
- Question words stay near the information you want.
- An -ಆ ending often marks a yes/no question.
- ನನಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ is a useful honest answer.