ಅಪ್ಪ
appa/ɐppɐ/
The English word "dad" translates to Kannada as ಅಪ್ಪ (appa).
The term is used to refer to a father in an affectionate or informal way.
Meaning: informal: a father (noun)
Which one should you use?
The form ಅಪ್ಪಾ is specifically used when calling out to your father to get his attention. When you want to speak about your father to others in a polite or respectful manner, you may use the honorific form ಅಪ್ಪನವರು.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ಅಪ್ಪ is an informal and affectionate term. For a formal way to say father, you should use ತಂದೆ. When you are speaking about your father to someone else and wish to show respect, use the polite form ಅಪ್ಪನವರು.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is appa. The IPA is /ɐppɐ/.
Did you know?
- In many Kannada households, ಅಪ್ಪ is used as a general term of endearment for any elder male figure or a grandfather, not just the biological father.
- The Kannada word ಅಪ್ಪ descends from the Proto-Dravidian root *appa, which is one of the oldest linguistic layers of the region.
- The word ಅಪ್ಪ is part of a linguistic family shared by many South Indian languages, meaning it is a cognate with similar words in Tamil and Telugu.
Examples in context
- ಅಪ್ಪ ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾರೋ?appa elliddāro?Where is dad?
- ನನ್ನ ಅಪ್ಪ ತುಂಬಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯವರು.nanna appa tumbā oḷḷeyavaru.My dad is a very good person.
- ಅಪ್ಪ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ.appa kelasakke hōgiddāre.Dad has gone to work.
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking in the living room.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಅಪ್ಪ ಬರ್ತಾರಾ?appa bartārā?Is dad coming?
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಹೌದು, ಅಪ್ಪ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಹೊತ್ತಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ.haudu, appa svalpa hottinalli baruttāre.Yes, dad will be here in a little while.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಅಪ್ಪನಿಗೆ ಒಂದು ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆ ಕೇಳಬೇಕು.appanige ondu praśne kēḷabēku.I need to ask dad a question.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಸರಿ, ಪ್ರಣವ್, ನೀನು ಕೇಳಬಹುದು.sari, praṇav, nīnu kēḷabahudu.Okay, Pranav, you can ask him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dad” translations and entries ಅಪ್ಪ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಅಪ್ಪ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
