ಬನ್ನಿ
banni
The English word 'come' is translated into Kannada as ಬನ್ನಿ (banni).
The verb expresses the action of arriving or appearing.
Meaning: to arrive, to appear (verb)
Which one should you use?
The form ಬಾ is the informal or singular imperative used with friends or younger people, whereas ಬನ್ನಿ is used for respect or when addressing a group of people.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ಬನ್ನಿ is the polite or formal imperative form. The form ಬಾ is informal.
How does it change in a sentence?
ಬನ್ನಿ functions as both a polite command and a way to address a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
banni
Did you know?
- The formal ಬನ್ನಿ is frequently used by shopkeepers and service workers as a way to say 'welcome' to a customer, rather than a literal command to move.
- The root verb for 'come' is used in the expression ಬಾ ಬಾ, which is a common way to coax a child or a pet, repeating the word to create a rhythmic, soothing tone.
- When inviting someone into a home, it is culturally common to say ಬನ್ನಿ while simultaneously gesturing with the whole hand, as a verbal invitation alone may seem incomplete.
Examples in context
- ಒಳಗೆ ಬನ್ನಿ.Come in.This sentence is useful for inviting someone to enter when using ಬನ್ನಿ.Tatoeba #13226255 by Lumi, translation #348091 by Hertz
- ನನ್ನ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬನ್ನಿ.nanna manege banni.Please come to my house.
- ಇಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಬನ್ನಿ, ಕೆಲಸವಿದೆ.illige banni, kelasavide.Please come here, there is some work.
Example conversation
Soumya is inviting Pranav into her office.
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaಪ್ರಣವ್, ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ಒಳಗೆ ಬನ್ನಿ.Pranav, dayaviṭṭu oḷage banni.Pranav, please come inside.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು ಸೌಮ್ಯ.dhanyavādagaḷu Soumya.Thank you, Soumya.
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಳ್ಳಿ.illi kuḷitukoḷḷi.Please sit here.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಸರಿ, ನಾನು ಕುಳಿತುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇನೆ.sari, nānu kuḷitukoḷḷuttēne.Okay, I will sit.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
