Talk about everyday actions
Use a compact set of verbs for routines, requests, and daily plans.
By the end, you can
- Describe a few everyday actions in the first person.
- Recognise polite action forms used in simple requests.
Eight useful verb stems
WordsTurn a stem into “I do”
Many common first-person non-past forms end in -ತ್ತೇನೆ (-ttene), though the stem may change when the ending joins it. Learn each high-frequency form as a whole rather than trying to force every verb through one rule.
ನಾನು ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Naanu manege hoguttene.
I go home; I will go home.
ನಾನು ದೋಸೆ ತಿನ್ನುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Naanu dose tinnuttene.
I eat dosa.
ನಾನು ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಓದುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Naanu pustaka oduttene.
I read a book.
ನಾನು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Naanu kelasa maaduttene.
I work.
Recognise polite forms
ExamplesA morning routine
ನೀವು ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ಏನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ?
Neevu beligge enu maadutteeri?
What do you do in the morning?
ನಾನು ಕಾಫಿ ಕುಡಿಯುತ್ತೇನೆ ಮತ್ತು ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಓದುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Naanu kaafi kudiyuttene mattu pustaka oduttene.
I drink coffee and read a book.
ನಂತರ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತೀರಾ?
Nantara kelasakke hogutteeraa?
Do you go to work after that?
tip
Avoid bare stems with strangers
A bare verb stem can sound abrupt as a command. Forms such as ಬನ್ನಿ, ನೋಡಿ, and ಮಾತನಾಡಿ are safer polite choices with adults you do not know well. Tone and context still matter.
Choose the action
Build a complete sentence with ನಾನು and the correct verb form.
01“I drink water.”›
ನಾನು ನೀರು ಕುಡಿಯುತ್ತೇನೆ. — naanu neeru kudiyuttene.
02“I go home.”›
ನಾನು ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತೇನೆ. — naanu manege hoguttene.
03Politely say, “Please speak slowly.”›
ನಿಧಾನವಾಗಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿ. — nidhaanavaagi maatanaadi.
What you can keep
- Build routine sentences around a small set of reusable verbs.
- Many first-person forms end in -ತ್ತೇನೆ.
- Use polite action forms such as ಬನ್ನಿ and ನೋಡಿ with new people.