ಕರೆ
kare/kɐɾe/
To call (contact by telephone) in Kannada is ಕರೆ (kare).
The verb ಕರೆ means to call or contact someone. In modern conversational Kannada, people often use the loanword 'phone' with the verb 'māḍi' (phone māḍi) instead of the formal 'kare' to mean 'make a phone call'.
Meaning: to contact by telephone (verb)
Which one should you use?
The phrase ಫೋನ್ ಮಾಡಿ translates to 'make a phone call' and is considered formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a third person in a formal or respectful manner in the past tense, use the form ಕರೆದರು.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kɐɾe/.
Did you know?
- The word ಕರೆ can actually have two completely different origins. It can mean to 'call' or 'summon', but it is also etymologically linked to an ancient word meaning 'to milk'.
- When using ಕರೆ to mean 'calling' someone to a place, the social status of the person being called dictates a change in the verb's form. Using the wrong suffix can accidentally sound blunt or even rude to a superior.
- In formal Kannada, the verb ಕರೆ is often combined with auxiliary verbs to change the nuance of the 'call', such as whether the call was requested or forced.
Examples in context
- ನೀವು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಫೋನ್ ಮಾಡಬಹುದೇ?Can you call them?
- ಅವನು ನಿಮಗೆ ಕರೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾನೆHe is calling you.
- ನನಗೆ ಈಗ ಕರೆ ಮಾಡಿ.nanage īga kare māḍi.Call me now.
- ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಒಂದು ಕರೆ ಮಾಡಿ.avaḷige ondu kare māḍi.Give her a call.
- ನೀವು ನನಗೆ ಕರೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀರಾ?nīvu nanage kare māḍuttīrā?Will you call me?
Example conversation
Pranav and Anvita are discussing a missed call at work.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಅನ್ವಿತಾ, ನನಗೆ ಒಂದು ಕರೆ ಬಂದಿದೆ.Anvitā, nanage ondu kare bandide.Anvita, I received a call.
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaಯಾರು ಕರೆ ಮಾಡಿದರು, ಪ್ರಣವ್?Yāru kare māḍidaru, Praṇav?Who called, Pranav?
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavನನ್ನ ಮ್ಯಾನೇಜರ್ ನನಗೆ ಕರೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದರು.Nanna manager nanage kare māḍiddaru.My manager called me.
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaಸರಿ, ನೀವು ಈಗ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಕರೆ ಮಾಡಿ.Sari, nīvu īga avarige kare māḍi.Okay, call him now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ಕರೆ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಕರೆ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
