A0 Pronouns 7 min read Easy

Pointing things out: This and That (idu, adu)

Change the first letter from 'i' to 'a' to move from 'here' to 'there' instantly.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Kannada uses 'i' for things close by and 'a' for things further away.

  • Use 'idu' (this) for objects near you: 'Idu pustaka' (This is a book).
  • Use 'adu' (that) for objects further away: 'Adu mane' (That is a house).
  • Use 'ivanu/avanu' for people: 'Ivanu nanne gelaya' (This is my friend).
I- (Close) / A- (Far) + du/nu/ru (Suffix)

Overview

Have you ever tried to order coffee in Bengaluru just by pointing and nodding? It works, but you eventually need words to distinguish between 'this' latte and 'that' espresso. In Kannada, demonstrative pronouns are your best friends. They are the linguistic version of your index finger. They help you point out people, things, and even abstract ideas in a conversation. Whether you are texting a friend about a meme or pointing at a dress on a mannequin, these words do the heavy lifting. The coolest part? Kannada is incredibly logical about space. It uses a simple vowel switch to tell the listener exactly how far away something is. It is like having a built-in GPS in your vocabulary. You will use these every single day, from the moment you wake up and look for 'this' phone to when you point at 'that' moon at night.
Demonstrative pronouns in Kannada are words like 'this', 'that', 'these', and 'those'. They replace a noun when you are pointing something out. In English, we mostly care about distance (near vs. far) and number (singular vs. plural). Kannada takes it a step further. It also cares about gender and respect. If you are pointing at a chair, you use one word. If you are pointing at your boss, you use a completely different one. It might sound like a lot, but it is actually very consistent. Every demonstrative word starts with either 'i' (for things close to you) or 'a' (for things far away). Think of 'i' as 'In my space' and 'a' as 'Away from me'. This simple rule covers about 90% of what you need to know. It is a very efficient system for a language that is thousands of years old. You will find these pronouns in every Netflix subtitle and every WhatsApp group chat.

How This Grammar Works

Kannada demonstratives function as independent units. They stand alone in a sentence to represent an object or person. Unlike demonstrative adjectives, they do not need a noun immediately following them. For example, in the sentence 'This is good', the word 'this' is a pronoun. It acts as the subject. In Kannada, you choose your pronoun based on three factors: distance, gender, and status. First, check the distance. Is it close? Use the 'i' prefix. Is it far? Use the 'a' prefix. Second, check the gender. Is it a person? If yes, is it a man or a woman? If it is not a person, it is 'neuter'. Third, check the status. Are you talking about one person or a group? Or are you talking to someone older who deserves respect? This 'respect factor' is huge in Indian culture. Using the wrong pronoun for an elder is like accidentally 'reply-alling' a private joke to your entire company. It is awkward, but easily avoidable once you learn the patterns.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation is like building with Lego blocks. You take a prefix and snap on a suffix.
2
Pick your Prefix: Use i- (ಇ) for 'this/these' (proximal). Use a- (ಅ) for 'that/those' (distal).
3
Choose a Neuter Suffix: Add -du for singular things. i + du = idu (this). a + du = adu (that).
4
Choose a Human Suffix (Male): Add -vanu for a man. i + vanu = ivanu (this man). a + vanu = avanu (that man).
5
Choose a Human Suffix (Female): Add -valu for a woman. i + valu = ivalu (this woman). a + valu = avalu (that woman).
6
Choose a Plural/Respect Suffix: Add -varu for people. i + varu = ivaru (these people/this respected person). a + varu = avaru (those people/that respected person).
7
Choose a Neuter Plural Suffix: Add -vu for multiple things. i + vu = ivu (these things). a + vu = avu (those things).
8
It is a very mathematical approach to language. Once you memorize the suffixes, you have doubled your vocabulary instantly because they work for both 'near' and 'far' scenarios.

When To Use It

Use these pronouns whenever you want to identify something without naming it directly. Imagine you are at a food truck. You see someone eating a delicious-looking burger. You don't know the name of the burger, so you point and say to the vendor, nanage adu beku (I want that). Or imagine you are showing a friend a photo of a new tech CEO on your phone. You point and say, ivanu yaaru? (Who is this man?). You also use them in digital spaces. When you share a link on Discord, you might follow up with idu thumba olleyadu (This is very good). In formal settings, like a job interview on Zoom, you would use ivaru to refer to a colleague you are introducing. It shows you know your social cues. Basically, if you can point at it with your finger or your mind, you can use a demonstrative pronoun.

Common Mistakes

The biggest trap for English speakers is using the neuter pronoun adu (that) for people. In English, we say 'That is my friend'. In Kannada, if you say adu nanna snehitha, you are literally calling your friend an 'it'. It is a bit like calling your best friend a toaster. Always use avanu, ivalu, or ivaru for humans. Another common slip-up is forgetting the respect level. If you refer to your grandmother as avalu, it sounds very rude. Use avaru instead. It is the 'plural of respect'. Also, watch out for the spelling. Beginners often confuse idu (this) with idhu (which isn't a word, but a common typo). Kannada is phonetic, so keep your vowels short and crisp. Finally, don't mix up the 'i' and 'a'. If you are holding a phone and call it adu, your listener will look behind you to see what you are talking about. Your hand says 'here', but your mouth says 'there'.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

You might get confused between Demonstrative Pronouns and Demonstrative Adjectives. A pronoun like idu (this) stands alone. It is the star of the show. An adjective like ee (this) is a sidekick. It MUST be followed by a noun. For example: idu pustaka (This is a book) vs. ee pustaka olleyadu (This book is good). See the difference? In the second one, ee is just describing the book. In the first one, idu is the book. Another similar pattern is the Interrogative Pronoun. These start with e-. For example, edu? means 'which one?'. It follows the exact same suffix pattern as the 'i' and 'a' series. If you know idu (this) and adu (that), you basically already know edu (which). It is a 'buy two, get one free' deal for your brain.

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use idu for my dog?

Usually, yes! Animals are treated as neuter in Kannada grammar, unless they are characters in a story or you want to be extra affectionate.

Q

Is ivaru only for multiple people?

No, it is also for one person if you want to be polite. Think of it like the royal 'we', but for someone else.

Q

How do I say 'those' for objects?

Use avu. It is the plural of adu. Use it for books, cars, or those annoying notifications on your phone.

Q

Do these change if the sentence is a question?

The word itself stays the same, but you usually add an 'aa' sound at the end of the verb or use a questioning tone. adu nanna phone? (Is that my phone?).

Q

Are there formal and informal versions of 'this man'?

ivanu is informal (friends/younger people). ivaru is formal (elders/strangers/bosses). Using ivaru is always the safer bet if you are unsure.

Demonstrative Pronoun Grid

Category Proximal (Close) Distal (Far)
Object
Idu
Adu
Male
Ivanu
Avanu
Female
Ivalu
Avalu
Plural/Honorific
Ivaru
Avaru
Adjective (This/That)
Ee
Aa
Place
Illi
Alli

Meanings

Demonstrative pronouns identify the location of an object or person relative to the speaker.

1

Proximal (Close)

Refers to items within reach or near the speaker.

“Idu nanna pen.”

“Idu nanna ooru.”

2

Distal (Far)

Refers to items at a distance.

“Adu nanna car.”

“Adu avara mane.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Pointing things out: This and That (idu, adu)
Category Proximal (Near/This) Distal (Far/That)
Neuter (Thing) Singular
idu (ಇದು)
adu (ಅದು)
Masculine (Man) Singular
ivanu (ಇವನು)
avanu (ಅವನು)
Feminine (Woman) Singular
ivalu (ಇವಳು)
avalu (ಅವಳು)
Human Plural / Respectful
ivaru (ಇವರು)
avaru (ಅವರು)
Neuter Plural (Things)
ivu (ಇವು)
avu (ಅವು)

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Idu nanna mane.

Idu nanna mane. (General)

Neutral
Idu nanna mane.

Idu nanna mane. (General)

Informal
Idu nanna mane.

Idu nanna mane. (General)

Slang
Idhu nanna mane.

Idhu nanna mane. (General)

The Power of the First Letter

Demonstratives

Proximal (I-Series)

  • idu This
  • ivanu This man

Distal (A-Series)

  • adu That
  • avanu That man

Human vs. Neuter Pronouns

Human (People)
ivanu / ivalu This man / woman
ivaru These people / Respected person
Neuter (Things/Animals)
idu This thing
ivu These things

Choosing the Right Pronoun

1

Is it close to you?

YES
Use 'i-' prefix
NO
Use 'a-' prefix
2

Is it a human?

YES
Check gender/respect
NO ↓

The Suffix Cheat Sheet

👨

Masculine

  • • -vanu
👩

Feminine

  • • -valu
📦

Neuter

  • • -du
🙌

Respect/Plural

  • • -varu
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Examples by Level

1

Idu nanna mane.

This is my house.

2

Adu nanna car.

That is my car.

3

Idu pustaka.

This is a book.

4

Adu mane.

That is a house.

1

Ivanu nanna gelaya.

This is my friend (male).

2

Idu nanna pen alla.

This is not my pen.

3

Adu nimmade?

Is that yours?

4

Ivalu nanna tangi.

This is my younger sister.

1

Ee pustaka nannadu.

This book is mine.

2

Aa mane bahala doddu.

That house is very big.

3

Ivaru namma shikshakaru.

These are our teachers (honorific).

4

Avaru illi baruttare.

They are coming here.

1

Ee vishayada bagge matadana.

Let's talk about this topic.

2

Aa samayakke naanu alli idde.

At that time, I was there.

3

Ivarannu nimmage parichaya madikoduttene.

I will introduce them to you.

4

Adu nanna nirdhara.

That is my decision.

1

Ee sthitiyalli, naavu enu madabahudu?

In this situation, what can we do?

2

Aa ghatane nanna jeevanavanne badalayisitu.

That event changed my life.

3

Ivaru heliddu nija.

What they said is true.

4

Adu nanna kalpaneya palita.

That is the result of my imagination.

1

Ee kramavannu anusarisuvudu avashyaka.

Following this procedure is necessary.

2

Aa kalada sahitya bahala vividhavagittu.

The literature of that period was very diverse.

3

Ivaru namma paramparayannu ulisidaru.

They preserved our tradition.

4

Adu namma samaja kanda mahatvada badalavane.

That is the significant change our society witnessed.

Easily Confused

Pointing things out: This and That (idu, adu) vs Idu vs Ee

Learners mix up the pronoun and adjective.

Pointing things out: This and That (idu, adu) vs Ivanu vs Ivaru

Learners forget honorifics.

Pointing things out: This and That (idu, adu) vs Adu vs Alli

Mixing up object and place.

Common Mistakes

✗

Adu nanna kai (holding it)

✓

Idu nanna kai

Use 'i' for things in your hand.
✗

Idu avaru

✓

Ivaru avaru

Use 'ivaru' for people.
✗

Idu pustaka?

✓

Idu pustakana?

Need 'aa' for questions.
✗

Adu nanna mane alla

✓

Adu nanna mane alla

Correct placement of alla.
✗

Idu nanna gelaya

✓

Ivanu nanna gelaya

Use gendered suffix for people.
✗

Adu nanna tangi

✓

Avalu nanna tangi

Use 'avalu' for female.
✗

Ee pustaka nanna

✓

Ee pustaka nannadu

Need possessive suffix.
✗

Idu pustaka nannadu

✓

Ee pustaka nannadu

Use adjectival form.
✗

Avaru nanna tande

✓

Ivaru nanna tande

Use honorific for parents.
✗

Adu nanna mane

✓

Aa mane nannadu

Adjective usage.
✗

Idu nanna vishaya

✓

Ee vishayada bagge

Contextual usage.
✗

Avaru bandaru

✓

Ivaru bandaru

Deictic center shift.
✗

Adu nanna nirdhara

✓

Adu nanna nirdhara

Formal register.

Sentence Patterns

Idu ___.

Adu ___ alla.

Ee ___ nannadu.

Ivaru ___.

Real World Usage

Shopping constant

Idu eshtu?

Texting very common

Adu nanna photo.

Introductions common

Ivaru nanna tande.

Travel common

Adu elli?

Social Media common

Ee sthala bahala chanda.

Food Delivery occasional

Idu nanna order.

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🎯

The 'I-A' Rule

Just remember: 'I' is for 'In here' (close) and 'A' is for 'Away' (far). It never changes!
⚠️

Don't 'It' Your Friends

Avoid using 'idu' or 'adu' for people. It sounds like you are calling them objects. Use 'ivanu' or 'avalu' instead.
💬

The Power of 'Ivaru'

When in doubt, use 'ivaru' or 'avaru'. It works for plural groups AND for showing respect to a single person. It is the safest choice for beginners.

Smart Tips

Always check gender and respect level.

Idu nanna tande. → Ivaru nanna tande.

Use Ee/Aa before the noun.

Idu pustaka nannadu. → Ee pustaka nannadu.

Add 'aa' to the end.

Idu pustaka? → Idu pustakana?

Use 'alla' at the end.

Idu alla pustaka. → Idu pustaka alla.

Pronunciation

i-du, a-du

Vowel length

Keep 'i' and 'a' short.

Question

Idu pustakana? ↑

Rising intonation for questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

I is for In-hand, A is for Away.

Visual Association

Imagine holding a pen near your nose (I-du) and pointing at a bird in the sky (A-du).

Rhyme

Close is 'i', far is 'a', use these words every day.

Story

I am holding a book. 'Idu pustaka'. I see a tree far away. 'Adu mara'. My friend is here. 'Ivanu nanna gelaya'.

Word Web

IduAduIvanuAvanuIvaluAvaluIvaruAvaru

Challenge

Point at 5 things in your room and say 'Idu [name]' for each.

Cultural Notes

Using honorifics like 'ivaru' for elders is mandatory.

Derived from ancient Dravidian roots.

Conversation Starters

“

Idu nimmade?

“

Ivanu yaru?

“

Ee pustaka nimmada?

“

Ivaru namma shikshakara?

Journal Prompts

Describe 3 things in your room.
Describe your friend.
Compare two houses.
Write about a historical figure.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct 'near' pronoun for an object.

____ nanna mane (This is my house).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: idu
Since the house is an object and we are using 'this' (proximal), 'idu' is the correct choice.
Which sentence correctly refers to a respected elder who is far away? Multiple Choice

Choose the most polite sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: avaru nanna thande.
'avaru' is the respectful/plural distal pronoun, appropriate for a father (thande).
Find and fix the mistake in this sentence referring to a man standing nearby. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

ivalu nanna snehitha (This man is my friend).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ivanu nanna snehitha
'snehitha' is masculine, and he is nearby, so we must use 'ivanu'.

Score: /3

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

___ nanna mane (close).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Idu
Idu is for objects near.
Choose the correct pronoun. Multiple Choice

___ nanna tande (respect).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ivaru
Ivaru is honorific.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Idu nanna gelaya.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ivanu nanna gelaya
Gelaya is male.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

mane / nannadu / ee

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ee mane nannadu
Correct word order.
Match the pronoun. Match Pairs

Match: Idu, Adu, Ivanu, Ivalu

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This, That, He, She
Correct meanings.
Choose the correct adjective. Multiple Choice

___ pustaka nannadu (far).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Aa
Aa is for far.
Fill in the blank.

Idu pustakana ___?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: aa
Aa is for questions.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Adu nanna tangi.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Avalu nanna tangi
Avalu is for female.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the sentence: '____ yaaru?' (Who is that man?) Fill in the Blank

____ yaaru?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: avanu
Translate 'Those are mine' (referring to books). Translation

Those are mine.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: avu nannadu
Match the pronoun to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: idu:This (thing), adu:That (thing), ivaru:This (person/respectful), avaru:That (person/respectful)
How do you say 'Who is she?' (informal, far away)? Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: avalu yaaru?
Correct the sentence: 'ivu nanna thande' (This is my father). Error Correction

ivu nanna thande.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ivaru nanna thande.
Reorder the words to say 'That is a big house'. Sentence Reorder

mane / adu / doddadu

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: adu dodda mane
Use the correct plural for 'these things'. Fill in the Blank

____ nanna pustakagalu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ivu
Pick the correct way to say 'This is good' on a social media post. Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: idu chennagide
Translate: 'He is my brother' (far away, informal). Translation

He is my brother.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: avanu nanna anna
Match the prefix to the distance. Match Pairs

Match the prefixes:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: i-:Close (Proximal), a-:Far (Distal), e-:Question (Interrogative)

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Idu is a pronoun; Ee is an adjective.

Yes, it is polite.

Yes, Ivu.

Use 'Ivu'.

Yes, for people.

Use the neutral 'Idu'.

Yes, relative to the speaker.

Only if informal/rude.

Scaffolded Practice

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2

3

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4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

este/ese/aquel

Kannada is strictly binary.

French moderate

ce/cette

Kannada uses suffixing.

German moderate

dieser/jener

Kannada uses agglutinative suffixes.

Japanese high

kore/sore/are

Kannada is binary.

Arabic high

hatha/thalika

Kannada gender is limited to people.

Chinese high

zhe/na

Chinese has no gender suffixes.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Singular vs Plural Nouns

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