ಅವರು
avaru/ɐʋɐɾu/
The English phrase "garu" corresponds to the Kannada word ಅವರು (avaru).
ಅವರು is used as a respectful honorific suffix added to a person's name to show politeness.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as avaru (/ɐʋɐɾu/).
Did you know?
- The word ಅವರು (avaru) is a linguistic relative of the Tamil word அவர் (avar) and the Malayalam word അവർ (avar).
- While many learners assume garu is a universal South Indian suffix, it is actually specifically Telugu. In Kannada, you must use the suffix ಅವರು (avaru) to achieve the same level of respect.
Example conversation
Divya is asking Abhishek about their manager.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಅಭಿಷೇಕ್, ಮ್ಯಾನೇಜರ್ ಅವರು ಬಂದರಾ?Abhishek, manager avaru bandarā?Abhishek, has the manager arrived?
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekಹೌದು, ಅವರು ಈಗಷ್ಟೇ ಬಂದರು.Haudu, avaru īgaṣṭē bandaru.Yes, he just arrived.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಅವರು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರಾ?Avaru nannannu kareyuttiddārā?Is he calling me?
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekಅವರು ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಕಾಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.Avaru nimmannu kāyuttiddāre.He is waiting for you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ಅವರು, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಅವರು, CC BY-SA 4.0.
