ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್?
encha ullar?
In Tulu, ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್? (encha ullar?) is used to say "how are you?"
This phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or health.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of encha (how) and ullar (are/exist/stay).
Which one should you use?
While ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್? is the standard polite form, ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲೆ? is used for singular or informal situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್? is the polite or respectful way to ask "how are you?", typically used for elders or strangers. In contrast, ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲೆ? is the informal version used for friends, younger people or peers. Yencha? is also an informal option specifically for asking "What's up?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲೆ? serves as the singular or informal version of ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್?
How do you pronounce it?
encha ullar?
Did you know?
- In many Tulu households, replying to 'how are you?' is considered incomplete without a subsequent question about whether the person has eaten. A conversation about well-being is almost always tethered to the status of one's last meal.
- Tulu is often mistaken for Kannada by outsiders, but the two languages are distinct and not mutually intelligible, meaning a Kannada speaker cannot instinctively understand ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್?
- Because the verb root in ಉಲ್ಲರ್ relates to 'existing', asking 'how are you?' is philosophically closer to asking 'how do you exist?'
Examples in context
- ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್?encha ullar?How are you?
- ಅಮ್ಮಾ, ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್?ammā, encha ullar?Mother, how are you?
- ಸರ್, ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್?sir, encha ullar?Sir, how are you?
Example conversation
Two friends meet unexpectedly on the street.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಮನೀಶ್, ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್?Maneesh, encha ullar?Maneesh, how are you?
- ಮನೀಶ್ Manishಯಾನ್ ಸೌಖ್ಯ ಉಲ್ಲೆ, ಈ ಎಂಚ ಉಲ್ಲರ್?Yan saukhya ulle, ee encha ullar?I am fine, how are you?
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಯಾನ್ ಕೂಡ ಸೌಖ್ಯ ಉಲ್ಲೆ.Yan kuda saukhya ulle.I am also fine.
- ಮನೀಶ್ Manishಕಂಡು ಪೋಯಿ, ಬೋಲೋಣ.Kandu poyi, bolona.I must go, let's talk later.
