ಮಹಾನ್
mahaan
The English word 'great' can be translated into Kannada as ಮಹಾನ್ (mahaan).
ಮಹಾನ್ is used to describe greatness in terms of character, historical significance or stature, such as referring to a great leader or a great soul. It is not used to describe pleasant experiences or a good movie.
Meaning: very good (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ಮಹಾನ್ refers to greatness in terms of character or historical significance, the word ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದೆ is the more common way to say something is 'great' or 'good' in a casual, everyday context (e.g., 'the food is great'). Other variations include ಉತ್ಕೃಷ್ಟ, which means 'excellent' or 'outstanding' and ಮೆಚ್ಚುಗೆಯ, which means 'pleasing' or 'delightful'.
How do you pronounce it?
mahaan
Did you know?
- While ಮಹಾನ್ means 'great', the word ಮಹಾ is often used as a prefix to create words meaning 'big' or 'grand', such as ಮಹಾಭಾರತ for the 'great' epic Mahabharata.
- In spiritual contexts, a 'great soul' is called a ಮಹಾತ್ಮ, a word derived from ಮಹಾನ್ that is recognized across many Indian languages.
- When describing a 'great' amount of something, Kannada uses ಬಹಳ, which is entirely different from the words used for 'great' character or quality.
Examples in context
- ಅವನು ಒಬ್ಬ ಅದ್ಭುತ ನೃತ್ಯಕಾರHe is a great dancer.
- ನಿನ್ನ ಸಂಗೀತ ಉತ್ಕೃಷ್ಟವಾಗಿದೆYour music is excellent.
- ಅವರು ಒಬ್ಬ ಮಹಾನ್ ನಾಯಕ.avaru obba mahān nāyaka.He is a great leader.
- ಇದು ಒಂದು ಮಹಾನ್ ಸಾಧನೆ.idu ondu mahān sādhane.This is a great achievement.
- ಅವಳು ಮಹಾನ್ ಕವಯಿತ್ರಿ.avaḷu mahān kavayitri.She is a great poetess.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a famous person's influence.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಕಿರಣ್, ನೀವು ಆ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಕೇಳಿದ್ದೀರಾ?kiṟaṇ, nīvu ā vyaktiya bagge kēḷiddīrā?Kiran, have you heard about that man?
- ಕಿರಣ್ Kiranಹೌದು, ಅವರು ಮಹಾನ್ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ.haudu, avaru mahān vyakti.Yes, he is a great person.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಅವರ ಕೆಲಸ ತುಂಬಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯದು.avara kelasa tumba oḷḷeyadu.His work is very good.
- ಕಿರಣ್ Kiranನಿಮ್ಮ ಮಾತಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಸತ್ಯವಿದೆ, ಕಾವ್ಯ.nimma mātinalli satyavide, kāvya.There is truth in your words, Kavya.
