How do I reply to 'Kannada Gottilla'?

If someone tells you they don't know Kannada, politely say 'Parvagilla, English nalli mathadona' (No problem, let's speak in English).

How do I say 'Thank you' formally?

The formal word is 'Dhanyavadagalu' (ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು). In everyday office talk, people often say 'Thank you sir/madam'.

How do I reply to 'Kannada Gottilla'?

If someone tells you they don't know Kannada, politely say 'Parvagilla, English nalli mathadona' (No problem, let's speak in English).

How do I say 'Thank you' formally?

The formal word is 'Dhanyavadagalu' (ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು). In everyday office talk, people often say 'Thank you sir/madam'.

Kannada Formal & Business Phrases Phrases

Formal Kannada Phrases for Work & Corporate Life

Level up your corporate Kannada. Learn formal phrases for meetings, agreements, polite rejections, and networking in India's Silicon Valley.

Bangalore (Bengaluru) is an international tech hub, but winning the hearts of local clients, government officials, or senior colleagues often requires making an effort in Kannada. While English dominates email, spoken Kannada greases the wheels of industry. Formal Kannada heavily uses the plural forms to show respect. You never refer to a manager or client in the singular. Instead of "What do you want?" (Nimage yenu beku?), you must ensure the respectful tone is used. This guide provides phrases to navigate office conversations, respectfully ask for extensions, and gracefully end meetings.

Formal & Business Phrases Vocabulary & Phrases

Explore these essential formal & business phrases expressions. Note the formality levels to speak appropriately!

English	Native Script	Pronunciation	Formality / Context
Good Morning everyone Business • very_formal	ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಶುಭೋದಯ Ellarigu shubhodaya	🔈EL-la-ri-gu shu-BHO-da-ya	very_formalBusiness Opening a meeting.
Please sit Politeness • formal	ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಳ್ಳಿ Dayavittu kulithukolli	🔈DA-ya-vit-tu ku-li-thu-KOL-li	formalPoliteness Offering a seat.
Shall we start? Business • formal	ನಾವೀಗ ಶುರು ಮಾಡೋಣವಾ? Naviga shuru madonva?	🔈NAA-vi-ga SHU-ru maa-DO-na-vaa?	formalBusiness Initiating a meeting.
I agree Agreement • formal	ನಾನು ಒಪ್ಪುತ್ತೇನೆ Naanu opputthene	🔈NAA-nu OP-put-thay-nay	formalAgreement Casually: "Houdu" (Yes).
Definitely / Certainly Agreement • formal	ಖಂಡಿತವಾಗಿ Khanditavagi	🔈KHAN-di-ta-vaa-gi	formalAgreement Strong affirmative.
Let’s see Business • neutral	ನೋಡೋಣ Nodona	🔈NO-do-na	neutralBusiness Deferring a decision politely.
We will try Business • formal	ನಾವು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುತ್ತೇವೆ Naavu prayatnisutheve	🔈NAA-vu pra-YAT-ni-sut-thay-vay	formalBusiness Committing to attempt.
Is this possible? Business • formal	ಇದು ಸಾಧ್ಯನಾ? Idu sadhyana?	🔈I-du SAAD-hya-naa?	formalBusiness Questioning feasibility.
No problem Politeness • neutral	ಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ Parvagilla	🔈PAR-vaa-gil-la	neutralPoliteness Reassuring someone. Highly useful phrase.
I have a doubt Questions • formal	ನನಗೊಂದು ಅನುಮಾನವಿದೆ Nanagondu anumanavide	🔈na-na-GON-du a-nu-MAA-na-vi-day	formalQuestions Asking a question.
Please explain once more Business • formal	ಇನ್ನೊಮ್ಮೆ ವಿವರಿಸಿ Innomme vivarisi	🔈in-NOM-may vi-VA-ri-si	formalBusiness Asking for clarity.
Good work Business • neutral	ಒಳ್ಳೆಯ ಕೆಲಸ Olley kelsa	🔈OL-ley KEL-sa	neutralBusiness Praise.
Congratulations Politeness • very_formal	ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು Abhinandanegalu	🔈a-bhi-nan-da-nay-ga-lu	very_formalPoliteness Congratulating success.
When do you need this? Business • formal	ಇದು ಯಾವಾಗ ಬೇಕು? Idu yavaga beku?	🔈I-du YAA-vaa-ga BAY-ku?	formalBusiness Asking for a deadline.
I need some time Business • formal	ನನಗೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯ ಬೇಕು Nanage swalpa samaya beku	🔈na-na-ge SWAL-pa sa-ma-ya BAY-ku	formalBusiness Asking for an extension.
Is the work done? Business • formal	ಕೆಲಸ ಆಯ್ತಾ? Kelsa aaytha?	🔈KEL-sa AAY-tha?	formalBusiness Checking status.
Thank you for your time Politeness • very_formal	ನಿಮ್ಮ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕೆ ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು Nimma samayakke dhanyavadagalu	🔈NIM-ma sa-ma-YAK-kay DHAN-ya-vaa-da-ga-lu	very_formalPoliteness Closing a meeting.
Meeting Business • very_formal	ಸಭೆ Sabhe	🔈sa-BHAY	very_formalBusiness English "meeting" is mostly used.
Office Business • very_formal	ಕಚೇರಿ Kacheri	🔈ka-CHAY-ri	very_formalBusiness English "office" is mostly used.

Cultural Context & Etiquette

🏛️ Understanding the Culture

Addressing a boss or senior client politely involves adding "Sir" or "Madam", but frequently you will hear "Sir avare" or "Madam avare". 'Avare' is a respectful marker added to names/titles. In corporate Bangalore, "Kannada Gottilla" (I don't know Kannada) is a phrase many migrants use. However, trying to change that by saying "Naanu Kannada kalithiddini" (I am learning Kannada) will earn you immense respect and help in the workplace.

Real-World Conversation Examples

💬 Situation: Asking a senior for an update

You:

"Sir, aa kelsa aaytha?"Sir, is that work done?

Manager:

"Innu illa. Swalpa time bekagutthe."Not yet. It will need a little time.

You:

"Parvagilla sir. Nivaagi madi."No problem sir. You do it at your pace.

Why this works: Polite checking of status without rushing the senior.

Frequently Asked Questions

help_outlineFrequently Asked Questions

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