Kannada Days of the Week (vaara)
vaara to the seven celestial names to master the Kannada weekly calendar.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Learn the seven days of the week in Kannada by adding the suffix '-vāra' to the planetary root.
- All days end in '-vāra' (day). Example: Somavāra (Monday).
- The week starts on Sunday (Adityavāra) in traditional calendars.
- Use the locative case '-dalli' to say 'on' a specific day. Example: Somavāradalli (on Monday).
Overview
vaara. Every single day of the week ends with this suffix. This makes your life much easier. You only need to learn seven prefixes. These prefixes are the names of the seven classical planets (and the Sun/Moon). If you know a bit of Indian astronomy or astrology, you are already halfway there. Even if you don't, the sounds are rhythmic and catchy. Most people in Karnataka use these daily. You will hear them in movie trailers. You will see them on gym schedules. You will see them on Zomato delivery estimates. It is the backbone of time-telling. Don't worry about complex grammar yet. At the A0 level, we just want you to recognize them. We want you to say 'See you on Saturday' without a panic attack.How This Grammar Works
vaara. You snap them together. There are no weird irregular changes here. You don't have to worry about gender for the days themselves. They generally function as nouns. If you want to say 'on Monday', you usually just say the day. In casual speech, people sometimes drop the vaara part. For example, Somavaara becomes just Soma. This is common in quick WhatsApp texts or calendar apps. However, as a beginner, stick to the full version. It sounds more polite and clear. It's like saying 'Mon' vs 'Monday'. Both work, but 'Monday' is safer.
Formation Pattern
vaara to the end.
Bhaanu | Sun | Bhaanuvaara (Sunday)
Soma | Moon | Somavaara (Monday)
Mangala | Mars | Mangalavaara (Tuesday)
Budha | Mercury | Budhavaara (Wednesday)
Guru | Jupiter | Guruvaara (Thursday)
Shukra | Venus | Shukravaara (Friday)
Shani | Saturn | Shanivaara (Saturday)
When To Use It
Shukravaara cinema nodona? (Shall we watch a movie on Friday?). Or maybe you are checking a government holiday list on Twitter. You will see Bhaanuvaara raga (Sunday holiday). In Bengaluru, 'Sunday' is often the only day people don't get stuck in traffic for two hours. Use these when setting reminders on your phone. Use them when talking to your house help about their day off. Use them when checking the 'best before' date on milk packets. If you are a fan of Kannada cinema (Sandalwood), pay attention to release dates. They almost always say Ee Shukravaara (This Friday).
Common Mistakes
Shukravaara and Shanivaara. They both start with 'Sh'. Shukravaara is Friday (Venus). Shanivaara is Saturday (Saturn). If you mix these up, you might show up to a party a day late. Another mistake is forgetting the u sound in Bhaanuvaara. It is not 'Bhan-vaara'. It is Bhaanu-vaara. Also, avoid using English 'on' directly. In Kannada, the day itself often implies 'on'. You don't need a separate word for 'on' most of the time. Don't worry about the plural 'Mondays'. Just use the singular day and the context handles the rest. Finally, don't confuse Budhavaara with 'Buddha'. One is a planet; the other is the enlightened one!Contrast With Similar Patterns
Ivattu (Today) and Naale (Tomorrow). These are different from the named days. You don't add vaara to Ivattu. That would be like saying 'Today-day'. Use Ivattu for the relative time. Use Somavaara for the specific calendar day. Also, note that Vaara also means 'week'. So if someone says Ondu vaara, they mean 'one week'. If they say Somavaara, they mean 'Monday'. It's all about the prefix. In some North Indian languages like Hindi, the suffix is 'vaar'. In Kannada, we add that extra 'a' at the end. It's softer and more melodic.Quick FAQ
Do I need to capitalize the days?
Kannada script doesn't have capital letters. So, no!
Is there a short way to write them?
Yes, in apps, you see Bhaa, So, Ma, Bu, Gu, Shu, Sha.
Which day is the start of the week?
Usually Bhaanuvaara (Sunday) in calendars, but work starts Somavaara.
Are these words formal or informal?
They are universal. Use them with your boss or your best friend.
Days of the Week Formation
| Day | Kannada | Root | Suffix |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sunday
|
Bhānuvāra
|
Bhānu
|
vāra
|
|
Monday
|
Somavāra
|
Soma
|
vāra
|
|
Tuesday
|
Mangalavāra
|
Mangala
|
vāra
|
|
Wednesday
|
Budhavāra
|
Budha
|
vāra
|
|
Thursday
|
Guruvāra
|
Guru
|
vāra
|
|
Friday
|
Shukravāra
|
Shukra
|
vāra
|
|
Saturday
|
Shanivāra
|
Shani
|
vāra
|
Meanings
The system used to identify the seven days of the week, derived from Vedic astrology and planetary names.
Calendar Naming
Identifying the specific day of the week.
“ಇಂದು ಭಾನುವಾರ (Today is Sunday)”
“ನಾಳೆ ಮಂಗಳವಾರ (Tomorrow is Tuesday)”
Reference Table
| English Day | Kannada Word | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
|
Sunday
|
`Bhaanuvaara`
|
Sun's Day
|
|
Monday
|
`Somavaara`
|
Moon's Day
|
|
Tuesday
|
`Mangalavaara`
|
Mars' Day
|
|
Wednesday
|
`Budhavaara`
|
Mercury's Day
|
|
Thursday
|
`Guruvaara`
|
Jupiter's Day
|
|
Friday
|
`Shukravaara`
|
Venus' Day
|
|
Saturday
|
`Shanivaara`
|
Saturn's Day
|
Formality Spectrum
ಸೋಮವಾರದಂದು ಸಭೆ ಇದೆ (Work)
ಸೋಮವಾರ ಸಭೆ ಇದೆ (Work)
ಸೋಮವಾರ ಮೀಟಿಂಗ್ ಇದೆ (Work)
ಸೋಮವಾರ ಮೀಟಿಂಗ್ (Work)
The Celestial Days
Solar
- Bhaanu Sun
Lunar
- Soma Moon
English vs Kannada Roots
Is it the Weekend?
Is the day Bhaanuvaara?
Is it Shanivaara?
Weekly Categories
Working Days
- • Somavaara
- • Mangalavaara
- • Budhavaara
- • Guruvaara
- • Shukravaara
Weekend
- • Shanivaara
- • Bhaanuvaara
Examples by Level
ಇಂದು ಸೋಮವಾರ
Today is Monday
ನಾಳೆ ಮಂಗಳವಾರ
Tomorrow is Tuesday
ಇದು ಭಾನುವಾರ
This is Sunday
ಶನಿವಾರ ರಜೆ
Saturday is a holiday
ನಾನು ಸೋಮವಾರ ಬರುತ್ತೇನೆ
I will come on Monday
ಬುಧವಾರದಂದು ಸಭೆ ಇದೆ
There is a meeting on Wednesday
ಗುರುವಾರ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತೇನೆ
I go to the temple on Thursday
ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡೋಣ
Let's watch a movie on Friday
ನನ್ನ ಕೆಲಸದ ಸಮಯ ಸೋಮವಾರದಿಂದ ಶುಕ್ರವಾರದವರೆಗೆ
My work hours are from Monday to Friday
ಕಳೆದ ಶನಿವಾರ ನಾನು ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೆ
Last Saturday I was in Bangalore
ಮುಂದಿನ ಭಾನುವಾರ ನಾವು ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗೋಣ
Let's meet next Sunday
ಮಂಗಳವಾರದಂದು ವಿಶೇಷ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮವಿದೆ
There is a special program on Tuesday
ಪ್ರತಿ ಬುಧವಾರ ಅವರು ತರಗತಿಗಳನ್ನು ನಡೆಸುತ್ತಾರೆ
They conduct classes every Wednesday
ಶುಕ್ರವಾರದ ಸಂಜೆ ನಾವು ಹೊರಗೆ ಹೋಗಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದ್ದೇವೆ
We decided to go out on Friday evening
ಗುರುವಾರ ಬಂದರೆ ಕೆಲಸ ಮುಗಿಯುತ್ತದೆ
If Thursday comes, the work will be finished
ಶನಿವಾರದಂದು ಕಚೇರಿ ಮುಚ್ಚಿರುತ್ತದೆ
The office will be closed on Saturday
ಸೋಮವಾರದಿಂದ ಆರಂಭವಾಗುವ ವಾರವು ಬಹಳ ಬಿಡುವಿಲ್ಲದಂತಿದೆ
The week starting from Monday is very busy
ಬುಧವಾರದಂದು ನಡೆಯುವ ಸಭೆಯು ಬಹಳ ಮುಖ್ಯವಾದುದು
The meeting happening on Wednesday is very important
ಶುಕ್ರವಾರದ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ನಾನು ವರದಿಯನ್ನು ಸಲ್ಲಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ
I will submit the report by Friday
ಭಾನುವಾರದ ಶಾಂತಿಯು ಸೋಮವಾರದ ಗದ್ದಲಕ್ಕೆ ಮುನ್ನುಡಿ
Sunday's peace is a prelude to Monday's chaos
ಸಾಂಪ್ರದಾಯಿಕವಾಗಿ ಭಾನುವಾರವು ವಾರದ ಮೊದಲ ದಿನವೆಂದು ಪರಿಗಣಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿದೆ
Traditionally, Sunday is considered the first day of the week
ಶನಿವಾರದಂದು ನಡೆಯುವ ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಕ್ಕೆ ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಆಹ್ವಾನಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇವೆ
We are inviting you to the cultural program on Saturday
ಮಂಗಳವಾರದಂದು ಗ್ರಹಗಳ ಚಲನೆಯು ಜ್ಯೋತಿಷ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹತ್ವದ್ದಾಗಿದೆ
The movement of planets on Tuesday is significant in astrology
ಗುರುವಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಶುಕ್ರವಾರದ ನಡುವಿನ ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸವನ್ನು ಗಮನಿಸಿ
Observe the difference between Thursday and Friday
Easily Confused
Learners confuse 'day of week' with 'calendar date'.
Using 'alli' for everything.
Using 'Indu' vs 'Ee vāra'.
Common Mistakes
Somavara (no long vowel)
Somavāra
Mondayvāra
Somavāra
Somadalli
Somavāradalli
Bhānu
Bhānuvāra
Somavāra-ge
Somavāradalli
Mangalavāra-nalli
Mangalavāradalli
Budhavāra-inda
Budhavāradalli
Guruvāra-alli
Guruvāradalli
Shukravāra-ge
Shukravāradalli
Shanivāra-inda
Shanivāradalli
Adityavāra-alli
Adityavāradalli
Somavāra-adalli
Somavāradalli
Budhavāra-ge
Budhavāradalli
Sentence Patterns
ಇಂದು ___.
___ ನಾನು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೇನೆ.
___ ರಜೆ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ.
ನಾನು ___ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತೇನೆ.
Real World Usage
ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ ಸಿಗೋಣ?
ಸೋಮವಾರ ಸಭೆ ಇದೆ.
ಶನಿವಾರ ಬಸ್ ಇದೆಯಾ?
ಭಾನುವಾರ ಆರ್ಡರ್ ಮಾಡೋಣ.
ಬುಧವಾರದಂದು ಸಂದರ್ಶನವಿದೆ.
ಶುಕ್ರವಾರದ ವೈಬ್ಸ್!
The 'Sh' Rule
Shortened Names
Planetary Link
Smart Tips
Use -dalli for specific days.
Focus on the long 'ā'.
Use the correct root.
Use 'yāvāga' for questions.
Pronunciation
Vowel length
Long vowels like 'ā' in 'vāra' must be held longer.
Statement
Somavāra. ↓
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Remember the planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn. Add 'vāra' to each.
Visual Association
Imagine a calendar where each day has a small planet icon next to it.
Rhyme
Bhānu, Soma, Mangala, Budha, Guru, Shukra, Shani, the week is done!
Story
On Sunday (Bhānu), the Moon (Soma) rose. Mars (Mangala) and Mercury (Budha) played. Jupiter (Guru) and Venus (Shukra) watched, while Saturn (Shani) slept.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down your schedule for the next 7 days using only Kannada day names.
Cultural Notes
Days are often associated with specific temple visits.
Sanskrit-derived planetary names.
Conversation Starters
ಇಂದು ಯಾವ ವಾರ?
ಸೋಮವಾರ ನಿಮಗೆ ಬಿಡುವಿದೆಯೇ?
ವಾರದ ಯಾವ ದಿನ ನಿಮಗೆ ಇಷ್ಟ?
ಶುಕ್ರವಾರದ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳೇನು?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Tomorrow is Sunday: Naale ______.
Choose the correct Kannada word for Friday:
Find and fix the mistake:
Is 'Budhavaara' Thursday?
Score: /3
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesSoma___
Monday is:
Find and fix the mistake:
Somavāra-ge
ಸಭೆ / ಸೋಮವಾರ / ಇದೆ
Match:
Saturday:
Friday (on):
Somavāra saba ide.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesMatch the following:
Ivattu / Shanivaara
How do you say Sunday in Kannada?
Budhavaara, ______, Shukravaara.
Which of these is a weekend day?
Is 'Somavara' spelled correctly?
Match the planet to the day:
Shukravaara / Sigona
Tuesday in Kannada is:
Monday is ______.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
It is the standard suffix for 'day' in Kannada.
Yes, traditionally.
Only in very casual speech.
Add -dalli.
No, Kannada has no caps.
It sounds incomplete.
Yes, heavily.
No, it's very logical.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Lunes, Martes...
Kannada adds a suffix, Spanish uses distinct words.
Lundi, Mardi...
Suffix vs prefix/word change.
Montag, Dienstag...
German uses compound words, Kannada uses suffixation.
Getsuyoubi, Kayoubi...
Japanese uses kanji, Kannada uses phonetic script.
Al-Ahad, Al-Ithnayn...
Kannada uses planetary names, Arabic uses numbers.
Xingqi yi, Xingqi er...
Kannada is planetary-based.
