ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?
namaskāra, hēgiddīra?
The English phrase "hi, how are you?" is translated into Kannada as ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? (namaskāra, hēgiddīra?)
This phrase is a friendly greeting used to start a conversation and ask about someone's well-being. The component hegiddira specifically means "how are you?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The form hēgiddīra? is formal or plural. It uses the honorific/plural verb ending -īra, which makes it appropriate for addressing elders or strangers.
How do you pronounce it?
namaskāra, hēgiddīra?
Did you know?
- In casual settings among friends, the formal ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? is replaced by ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀಯಾ? Switching to the formal version with a close peer can be interpreted as a joke or a sign that you are suddenly angry with them.
- When saying ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, it is common to perform the 'Anjali Mudra' by joining your palms near your chest to symbolize greeting the divine in the other person.
- Kannada has a unique way of asking 'how are you' by asking ಏನು ಸಮಾಚಾರ?, which literally means 'what is the news?' This is often used as a more natural way to start a conversation than the literal translation of the English phrase.
Examples in context
- ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಸರಿಯಿದೆಯೇ?namaskāra, hēgiddīrā? ellavū sariyideyē?Hi, how are you? Is everything okay?
- ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? ಕೆಲಸ ಹೇಗೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ?namaskāra, hēgiddīrā? kelasa hēge naḍeyuttidde?Hi, how are you? How is work going?
Example conversation
Abhishek and Divya meet at a cafe.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?Namaskāra, hēgiddīrā?Hello, how are you?
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ, ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.Nānu chennāgidēne, dhanyavādagaḷu.I am doing well, thank you.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaನಿಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸ ಹೇಗಿದೆ?Nimma kelasa hēgide?How is your work going?
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekತುಂಬಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿದೆ.Tumbā chennāgi naḍeyuttide.It is going very well.
