ಒಂದು
ondu/on̪d̪u/
The Kannada word for the English indefinite article "a" is ಒಂದು (ondu).
ಒಂದು is used before a singular noun to refer to one person or thing.
What does it mean word for word?
ಒಂದು (ondu) literally means "one".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Kannada, ಒಂದು is used for both masculine and feminine singular nouns, as the language does not use gendered articles like "a" in English.
How do you pronounce it?
ondu (/on̪d̪u/)
Did you know?
- Kannada employs a system of classifiers, meaning ಒಂದು is often paired with a specific word that describes the shape or type of the object being referred to.
- In Kannada, ಒಂದು can be used to express the concept of 'once' or 'one time' when describing an event, rather than just a single object.
- The word ಒಂದು shares a common ancestor with the Tamil word ஒன்று, meaning they are linguistic cousins from the same ancient Dravidian root.
Examples in context
- ನೆನ್ನೆ ರಾತ್ರಿ ನಾನು ಒಂದು ಪುಸ್ತಕವನ್ನು ಓದಿದೆ.Last night, I read a book.This sentence shows how to use ಒಂದು when referring to a book.Tatoeba #4784789 by legalghost, translation #2744171 by CK
- ನಿಂಗೆ ಒಂದು ಚಪಾತಿ ಕೊಡ್ಲಾ?Shall I give you a chapati?This sentence demonstrates using ಒಂದು when offering a chapati.Tatoeba #13226412 by Lumi, translation #13226414 by Lumi_alt
- ಭಾರತವು ಒಂದು ಶಾಂತಿವನ.India is a land of peace.This sentence illustrates the use of ಒಂದು when describing India as a land of peace.Tatoeba #13247002 by Lumi, translation #13247004 by Lumi
- ಸರಿಯಾಗಿದೆ.Okay or It's fine.
Example conversation
Abhishek and Soumya are discussing a movie.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekನಾನು ಒಂದು ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡಿದೆ.Naanu ondu cinema nodide.I watched a movie.
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaಅದು ಹೇಗಿತ್ತು?Adu hegittu?How was it?
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekಅದು ಒಂದು ಅದ್ಭುತ ಕಥೆ.Adu ondu adbhuta kathe.It is a wonderful story.
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaನಾನು ಕೂಡ ನೋಡಬೇಕು.Naanu kooda nodabeku.I should watch it too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ಒಂದು, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಒಂದು, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
