Language/Kannada/Grammar/Questions

Kannada Grammar - Questions

Hi Kannada learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on questions in Kannada grammar. Asking questions is an essential way of communication in any language. To improve your language skills and gain proficiency, it is essential to learn how to ask questions correctly.

As Kannada is an ancient Indian language, it is rich in culture and heritage. Kannada grammar has its unique vocabulary and syntax, which makes it different from other Indian languages. Kannada grammar follows the SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) structure, which differentiates it from other Indian languages like Hindi, Punjabi, etc. Kannada questions follow the same pattern, and it is crucial to understand this structure to frame questions correctly.

Are you ready to learn questioning in Kannada? Let's start!

Basic questions

Basic questions in Kannada follow the same SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) structure as a statement sentence. The only difference is that we put the question word at the beginning of the sentence. Kannada has five primary types of questions:

1. Simple Yes/No questions: These questions require a yes or no answer. The question word is 'Haage' in Kannada.

Example:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
"ನೀವು ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತೀರಾ?"	"Neevu Manege Hogutteera?"	"Are you going home?"
"ಅವನು ಬಂದಿರುವನೆ?"	"Avanu Bandiruvane?"	"Has he come?"

2. WH-questions: These questions begin with Wh- words like Where, What, Which, When, Why, etc. These questions are used to gain information.

Example:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
"ನೀವು ಯಾವ ಭಾಷೆಯನ್ನು ಮಾತಾಡುತ್ತೀರಿ?"	"Neevu Yava Bhaashen Maataadutteeri?"	"Which language do you speak?"
"ಹೇಗೆ ಅವನು ಬಂದಿದ್ದಾನೆ?"	"Hege Avanu Bandiddaane?"	"How did he come?"

3. Choice questions: These questions require the person to choose between some options. In Kannada, the question word for choice questions is 'YavudU,' which means 'Which one.'

Example:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
"ನೀವು ಯಾವ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ಓದುತ್ತೀರಿ? ಸಾಹಿತ್ಯವನ್ನೋ ವಿಜ್ಞಾನವನ್ನೋ?"	"Neevu Yava Vishayavannu Odutteeri? Saahityavanno Vijnaanavanno?"	"Which subject are you studying? Literature or science?"
"ನೀವು ಯಾವ ಮಾರ್ಗವನ್ನು ಹಿಂದೆ ಹೋಗಬೇಕಾಗಿದೆ? ಪಟ್ಟಣವನ್ನೋ ಊರನ್ನೋ?"	"Neevu Yava Margavannu Hinde Hoga Bekagide? Pattanavanno Ooranno?"	"Which route should you take? City or village?"

4. Tag questions: These questions are used to confirm information. In Kannada, the tag question is formed by adding '-ಲ್ಲ?' at the end of the statement.

Example:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
"ನೀವು ಕುಡಿದುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದೀರಾ?"	"Neevu Kudidukondideera?"	"You are drinking, aren't you?"
"ಅವನು ಕಿತ್ತುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾನೆ, ಸರಿಯಲ್ಲ?"	"Avanu Kithukondidaane, Sariyalla?"	"He is eating, isn't he?"

5. Alternative questions: These questions offer two or more options, and the person answering the question chooses between them. In Kannada, the question word for alternative questions is 'Elli?'

Example:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
"ರೈಲು ಹತ್ತಬೇಕಾದರೆ ನೀವು ಹೋಗುವುದು ಯಾವ ಸ್ಟೇಷನ್ ನೋಡಬೇಕು? ಸೆಂಟ್ರಲ್ ಸ್ಟೇಷನ್ ಅಥವಾ ಎಂಜಿನೆಯರಿಂಗ್ ಸ್ಟೇಷನ್?"	"Railu Hattabekadare Neevu Hogyuvudu Yava Stationnoddabeku? Central Station or Engineering Station?"	"Which station should you see if you want to catch a train? Central or Engineering station?"
"ನೀವು ಹೊದ್ದುಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಬಯಸುವುದು ಯಾವ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿದೆ? ಥಳುಕಿನಿಂದ ಅಥವಾ ವಿವೇಕ ವ್ಯವಹಾರಕ್ಕಾಗಿ?"	"Neevu Hoddhukollalu Baysuvudu Yava Karanakkagide? Thalukininda or Viveka Vyavahaarakkagi?"	"What is the reason you want to buy? Urgency or for wise investment?"

Interrogative Adverbs

In Kannada, there are eight interrogative adverbs that appear at the beginning of questions. They are:

1. Yelli - Where 2. Yenu - What 3. Aaytu - When 4. Yake - Why 5. Yavudu - Which 6. Hege - In what way/How 7. Entu - What (in the sense of quantity, like How much/many) 8. Yava - Whose

These question words are placed at the beginning of the sentence, and the rest of the sentence follows the SOV structure.

Example:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
"ಯೆಲ್ಲಿ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದೀರಿ?"	"Yelli Hogiddiiri?"	"Where are you going?"
"ಯಾವ ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ಓದುತ್ತೀರಿ?"	"Yaava Pustakavannu Odutteeri?"	"Which book are you reading?"
"ಹೇಗೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು?"	"Hege Maadabeeku?"	"What should I do?"

Dialogue

To help you understand the context better, here is a dialogue between two friends.

• Person 1: ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಉಣ್ಣೆಯನ್ನು ತಿನ್ನುವುದು ಸರಿ ಅಲ್ಲವೆ? (Illu Unneyannu Thinuvudu Sari allavane? - Is it right to eat rice here?)
• Person 2: ಹೌದು, ತಿನ್ನಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ ಎಚ್ಚರಿಕೆ ಹಿಡಿಯಿರಿ. (Haudu, Thinna Bahudu. Adare Echarike Hidiyiri - Yes, you can eat. But be careful.)

In the above dialogue, Person 1 asks a question about whether it is right to eat rice in that place. Person 2 responds affirmatively, with a warning to stay careful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, learning to ask questions correctly is an essential part of Kannada grammar. The SOV structure of Kannada grammar needs to be understood to frame questions correctly. There are five types of questions in Kannada, each with its unique word order, and eight interrogative adverbs used at the beginning of questions. So start practicing, and don't forget to use Find native speakers and ask them any questions you have!

To improve your Kannada Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website.

Sources

• Kannada Language
• Kannada Grammar
• Interrogative