Common Objects
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Learn how to name everyday objects in Kannada by adding simple suffixes to identify them in sentences.
- Most Kannada nouns for objects end in vowels like 'u' or 'a'. Example: 'mane' (house).
- To point to an object, use 'idu' (this) or 'adu' (that). Example: 'idu pustaka' (this is a book).
- Pluralize objects by adding '-galu' to the singular noun. Example: 'pustakagalu' (books).
Meanings
This rule covers naming common physical objects and using demonstrative pronouns to identify them.
Identification
Pointing out an object near or far.
“Idu mane.”
“Adu marada.”
Demonstrative Identification
| Demonstrative | Object | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Idu | pustaka | This is a book |
| Adu | pustaka | That is a book |
| Idu | mane | This is a house |
| Adu | mane | That is a house |
| Idu | pen | This is a pen |
| Adu | pen | That is a pen |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Idu + Noun | Idu pustaka |
| Negative | Idu + Noun + alla | Idu pustaka alla |
| Question | Idu + Noun + na? | Idu pustakana? |
| Plural | Idu + Noun + galu | Idu pustakagalu |
| Distant | Adu + Noun | Adu mane |
| Distant Neg | Adu + Noun + alla | Adu mane alla |
Espectro de formalidad
Idu pustaka. (General)
Idu pustaka. (General)
Idu pustaka. (General)
Idu pustaka. (General)
Object Identification Map
Objects
- pustaka book
- mane house
Examples by Level
Idu pen.
This is a pen.
Adu mane.
That is a house.
Idu kuncha.
This is a brush.
Adu bag.
That is a bag.
Idu pustaka alla.
This is not a book.
Adu pen-a?
Is that a pen?
Idu nanna mane.
This is my house.
Adu nimma bag-a?
Is that your bag?
Idu pustakagalu.
These are books.
Adu nanage bekada vastu.
That is the item I need.
Idu nanna kelsa.
This is my work.
Adu avara mane.
That is their house.
Idu kevala ondu sadharana vastu.
This is just an ordinary object.
Adu nanage sambandha padiddu.
That is related to me.
Idu nanna jeevanada bhaga.
This is a part of my life.
Adu avara nirdhara.
That is their decision.
Idu puratana vastu.
This is an ancient object.
Adu nanna kalpaneya bhaga.
That is a part of my imagination.
Idu nanna nambike.
This is my belief.
Adu avara sahitya.
That is their literature.
Idu nanna antarangada abhivyakti.
This is the expression of my inner self.
Adu nanna jeevanada paramavadhi.
That is the peak of my life.
Idu nanna sanskrutiya gurutu.
This is the mark of my culture.
Adu nanna naitika nirdhara.
That is my moral decision.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up proximity.
Both mean no/not.
Adding 's' vs '-galu'.
Errores comunes
Idu a book
Idu pustaka
Idu pustakas
Idu pustakagalu
Adu is pen
Adu pen
Idu pen-u
Idu pen
Idu pustaka no
Idu pustaka alla
Idu pustaka?
Idu pustakana?
Adu pen-na?
Adu pen-a?
Idu pustakagalu alla
Idu pustakagalu alla
Adu avara pustaka-galu
Adu avara pustakagalu
Idu nanna pustaka-galu
Idu nanna pustakagalu
Idu pustaka-galu-galu
Idu pustakagalu
Adu pustaka-galu-na?
Adu pustakagalena?
Idu pustaka-galu-alla
Idu pustakagalu alla
Sentence Patterns
Idu ___.
Adu ___.
Idu ___ alla.
Idu ___ na?
Real World Usage
Idu enu?
Idu nanna mane.
Idu pustaka.
Adu hotel-a?
Idu nanna kelsa.
Adu nanna order.
Use Idu for near
No articles
Omit 'is'
Loanwords
Smart Tips
Omit the verb 'to be'.
Always use 'alla'.
Use '-galu'.
Add '-na'.
Pronunciación
Vowel sounds
Kannada vowels are pure and short.
Question
Idu pustakana? ↑
Rising pitch at the end.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Idu is for 'In' your hand, Adu is for 'Away' from you.
Visual Association
Imagine holding a book close (Idu) and pointing to a house far away (Adu).
Rhyme
Idu is near, Adu is far, that is how we know where they are.
Story
Ravi holds a pen. He says 'Idu pen'. He points to a car. He says 'Adu car'.
Word Web
Desafío
Point to 5 things in your room and say 'Idu [object]' for each.
Notas culturales
Kannada speakers often use English loanwords for modern objects.
Kannada demonstratives derive from Proto-Dravidian roots.
Conversation Starters
Idu enu?
Idu pustakana?
Idu nimma mane-a?
Idu pustaka-galu-a?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Idu ___ (book).
___ (That) mane.
Find and fix the mistake:
Idu a pen.
Idu pustaka.
A: Idu enu? B: ___
pustaka / Idu / .
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Pustaka plural is:
Score: /8
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesIdu ___ (book).
___ (That) mane.
Find and fix the mistake:
Idu a pen.
Idu pustaka.
A: Idu enu? B: ___
pustaka / Idu / .
Idu - This, Adu - That
Pustaka plural is:
Score: /8
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
No, Kannada does not have articles.
Use 'Idu'.
Usually for objects; use 'ivaru/avaru' for people.
Check if you used 'alla' for negation.
It is logical and consistent.
Yes, many are used daily.
Manegalu.
Add '-na' to the end.
In Other Languages
Esto/Eso
Spanish has gendered nouns.
Ceci/Cela
French requires articles.
Dies/Das
German has complex case systems.
Kore/Sore
Japanese uses particles like 'wa'.
Hadha/Dhalika
Arabic has dual forms.
Zhe/Na
Chinese is tonal.
