Greet people politely
Say hello, ask how someone is, and respond naturally in a short exchange.
By the end, you can
- Open and close a polite greeting exchange.
- Ask how someone is and give a simple answer.
Core greetings
WordsA simple greeting
ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ! ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?
Namaskaara! Hegiddiraa?
Hello! How are you?
ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ, ಧನ್ಯವಾದ. ನೀವು?
Chennaagiddene, dhanyavaada. Neevu?
I am well, thank you. And you?
ನಾನೂ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ.
Naanoo chennaagiddene.
I am well too.
Use ನೀವು for polite “you”
ನೀವು (neevu) is the safe choice with a new person, an older person, or a group. ನೀನು (neenu) is singular and familiar; save it for relationships where that level of familiarity is established.
ನೀವು ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?
Neevu hegiddiraa?
How are you? (polite)
ನೀವು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?
Neevu chennaagiddiraa?
Are you well? (polite)
tip
One greeting works across the day
ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ is a broadly useful respectful greeting and is not tied to a particular time of day. Friends may use more casual greetings, but this form is a dependable beginner choice.
Build the exchange
Say each answer aloud before revealing the model.
01Politely ask, “How are you?”›
ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? — hegiddiraa?
02Answer, “I am well, thank you.”›
ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ, ಧನ್ಯವಾದ. — chennaagiddene, dhanyavaada.
03End with “See you again.”›
ಮತ್ತೆ ಸಿಗೋಣ. — matte sigona.
What you can keep
- ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ is a dependable polite hello.
- ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? asks how someone is respectfully.
- ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ is a complete useful answer.