Language/Kannada/Grammar/Pronouns

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Kannada → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Nouns and Pronouns → Pronouns

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on pronouns in Kannada! Pronouns are an essential part of any language, including Kannada. They help us refer to people, places, things, and ideas without constantly repeating their names. In this lesson, we will explore the different types of pronouns in Kannada, including personal, possessive, demonstrative, and interrogative pronouns. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to use pronouns in Kannada sentences.

Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns are used to refer to people or things. In Kannada, personal pronouns change depending on the gender, number, and case of the noun they replace. Let's take a look at the personal pronouns in Kannada:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
ನಾನು (nānu)	[naːnu]	I, me
ನೀನು (nīnu)	[niːnu]	you
ಅವರು (avaru)	[əvəru]	he, she, it, they

As you can see, the personal pronouns in Kannada have different forms based on the subject of the sentence. For example, if you want to say "I am going," you would use the pronoun "ನಾನು" (nānu). Similarly, if you want to say "You are tall," you would use the pronoun "ನೀನು" (nīnu).

Let's practice using personal pronouns in sentences:

• ನಾನು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆ. (nānu kelas maḍuttēne.) - I am working.
• ನೀನು ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೀಯಾ? (nīnu ellid'dīyā?) - Where are you?
• ಅವರು ಬಹಳ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. (avaru bahala chennāgiddāre.) - They are very good.

Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns are used to show ownership or possession. In Kannada, possessive pronouns agree with the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify. Let's take a look at the possessive pronouns in Kannada:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
ನನ್ನ (nanna)	[nənːə]	my, mine
ನಿಮ್ಮ (nimma)	[nɪmːə]	your, yours
ಅವರ (avara)	[əvərə]	his, her, hers, their, theirs

To use possessive pronouns, simply add them before the noun they modify. For example, if you want to say "my book," you would use the possessive pronoun "ನನ್ನ" (nanna). Similarly, if you want to say "their house," you would use the possessive pronoun "ಅವರ" (avara).

Let's practice using possessive pronouns in sentences:

• ನನ್ನ ಮನೆ ದೊಡ್ಡದು. (nanna mane doḍdadu.) - My house is big.
• ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿಯಲಿಲ್ಲವೆ? (nimma kelas mugi'yalilla've?) - Haven't you finished your work?
• ಅವರ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಇಲ್ಲ. (avara pustaka illa.) - They don't have a book.

Demonstrative Pronouns

Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out specific people, places, or things. In Kannada, demonstrative pronouns have different forms depending on the distance from the speaker and the noun they replace. Let's take a look at the demonstrative pronouns in Kannada:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
ಇದು (idu)	[idu]	this
ಅದು (adu)	[ədu]	that
ಅವನು (avanu)	[əvənu]	that (far from both the speaker and the listener)

To use demonstrative pronouns, simply replace the noun with the appropriate form. For example, if you want to say "this book," you would use the demonstrative pronoun "ಇದು" (idu). Similarly, if you want to say "that house," you would use the demonstrative pronoun "ಅದು" (adu).

Let's practice using demonstrative pronouns in sentences:

• ಇದು ನನ್ನ ಸೇಬು. (idu nanna sēbu.) - This is my apple.
• ಅದು ನಿನ್ನ ಕುರುಹು. (adu ninna kuruhu.) - That is your signature.
• ಅವನು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕೊಠಡಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಾನೆ. (avanu nimma koṭhaḍige hōguttāne.) - He is going to your room.

Interrogative Pronouns

Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions about people, places, or things. In Kannada, interrogative pronouns have different forms depending on the context of the question. Let's take a look at the interrogative pronouns in Kannada:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
ಯಾರು (yāru)	[jɑːru]	who
ಯಾವ (yāva)	[jɑːvə]	which
ಏನು (ēnu)	[eːnu]	what

To use interrogative pronouns, simply replace the noun with the appropriate form. For example, if you want to ask "Who is that?" you would use the interrogative pronoun "ಯಾರು" (yāru). Similarly, if you want to ask "Which book do you want?" you would use the interrogative pronoun "ಯಾವ" (yāva).

Let's practice using interrogative pronouns in sentences:

• ಯಾರು ನಿನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ? (yāru ninna snēhita?) - Who is your friend?
• ಯಾವ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ನೀನು ಬಯಸುವೆ? (yāva pustaka nīnu bayasuve?) - Which book do you want?
• ಏನು ನೀವು ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ? (ēnu nīvu māḍuttīri?) - What are you doing?

Cultural Insights

In Kannada culture, pronouns play a significant role in addressing individuals. Kannada society places great importance on respect and hierarchy, and this is reflected in the language. For example, when addressing someone older or in a position of authority, it is customary to use the respectful pronouns "ನೀವು" (nīvu) and "ಅವರು" (avaru) instead of the informal pronouns "ನೀನು" (nīnu) and "ಅವನು" (avanu).

Additionally, Kannada has regional variations in the usage of pronouns. Different regions may have their own unique pronouns or variations in pronunciation. It is important to be mindful of these differences when communicating with Kannada speakers from different areas.

Interesting fact: Kannada is one of the oldest Dravidian languages and has a rich literary tradition dating back over a thousand years. Many famous Kannada poets and writers have used pronouns creatively in their works to convey emotions and express complex ideas.

Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Complete the following exercises by filling in the blanks with the appropriate pronouns.

1. ನಾನು ______ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆ. (I am doing my work.) 2. ______ ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೀಯಾ? (Where are you?) 3. ಅವರು ______ ಬಹಳ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. (They are very good.) 4. ನನ್ನ ______ ದೊಡ್ಡದು. (My house is big.) 5. ನಿಮ್ಮ ______ ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿಯಲಿಲ್ಲವೆ? (Haven't you finished your work?) 6. ಇದು ______ ನನ್ನ ಸೇಬು. (This is my apple.) 7. ಅದು ______ ನಿನ್ನ ಕುರುಹು. (That is your signature.) 8. ಯಾರು ______ ನಿನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ? (Who is your friend?) 9. ______ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ನೀನು ಬಯಸುವೆ? (Which book do you want?) 10. ಏನು ______ ನೀವು ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ? (What are you doing?)

Solutions

1. ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆ. 2. ನೀನು ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೀಯಾ? 3. ಅವರು ಬಹಳ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. 4. ನನ್ನ ಮನೆ ದೊಡ್ಡದು. 5. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿಯಲಿಲ್ಲವೆ? 6. ಇದು ನನ್ನ ಸೇಬು. 7. ಅದು ನಿನ್ನ ಕುರುಹು. 8. ಯಾರು ನಿನ್ನ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತ? 9. ಯಾವ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ನೀನು ಬಯಸುವೆ? 10. ಏನು ನೀವು ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ?

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this lesson on pronouns in Kannada! You have learned about personal, possessive, demonstrative, and interrogative pronouns and how to use them in sentences. Make sure to practice using pronouns in your everyday conversations to reinforce your understanding. Keep up the good work, and soon you'll be able to express yourself fluently in Kannada!

Table of Contents - Kannada Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Basic Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings
• Introductions

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Vowels
• Consonants
• Conjuncts

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers
• Days and Months
• Telling Time

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns
• Pronouns

  ---

Common Verbs and Actions

• Basic Verbs
• Everyday Actions

  ---

Verb Conjugation

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People
• Describing Places
• Adverbs

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Food and Drink

• Meals and Ingredients
• Ordering at a Restaurant

  ---

Kannada Customs and Festivals

• Customs
• Festivals

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

  ---

Kannada Literature and Cinema

• Literature
• Cinema

Sources

• Kannada Pronouns
• Kannada

Other Lessons

• Adjectives
• How to Use Be
• Future Tense
• Gender
• Nouns
• Questions
• How to Use Have
• Give your Opinion
• Negation
• Conditional Mood

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