ನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ
naanu chennagiddene
ನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ (naanu chennagiddene) is the Kannada way to say "I am good".
This phrase is used as a response to communicate that you are doing well when someone asks about your health or well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of naanu (I), chennaga (good/well) and the verb suffix -iddene (am).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In spoken or colloquial Kannada, the formal -iddene ending is often shortened to -iddini, resulting in ನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೀನಿ.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ending -iddene is specific to the first-person singular (I) in the present tense.
How do you pronounce it?
naanu chennagiddene
Did you know?
- While ನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ is the literal answer, many Kannada speakers respond to 'how are you' by asking the other person how they are first, regardless of their own state.
- While ನಾನು means 'I', in many casual conversations, speakers omit the pronoun entirely and simply say ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೀನಿ because the verb ending already identifies the subject as 'I'.
- The root word ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ (chennagi) doesn't just mean 'good' in terms of health, but is also used to describe beauty or something that is aesthetically pleasing.
Examples in context
- ನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ.Nānu chennāgiddēne.I am good.
- ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು, ನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ.Dhanyavādagalu, nānu chennāgiddēne.Thank you, I am good.
Example conversation
Divya and Abhishek meet at a coffee shop.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekದಿವ್ಯಾ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀಯಾ?divyā, hēgiddīyā?Divya, how are you?
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ, ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್.nānu chennāgidēne, abhiṣēk.I am good, Abhishek.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekನಿನ್ನ ಕುಟುಂಬ ಹೇಗಿದೆ?ninna kuṭumba hēgide?How is your family?
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಅವರೆಲ್ಲರೂ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ.avarellarū chennāgidāre.They are all good.
