ನನಗೆ ನೀನು ಇಷ್ಟ
nanage neenu ishta
The English phrase "I like you" is expressed in Kannada as ನನಗೆ ನೀನು ಇಷ್ಟ (nanage neenu ishta).
Meaning: I like you (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'To me, you are liked' or 'You are pleasing to me'.
Which one should you use?
The phrase changes based on whom you are addressing. The default form ನನಗೆ ನೀನು ಇಷ್ಟ is used for someone of the same age or younger. If you are addressing an elder or a stranger, you would use the polite version: ನನಗೆ ನೀವು ಇಷ್ಟ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the phrase from a positive to a negative statement, such as 'I don't like you', add illa (meaning 'is not' or 'does not exist') to the end of the phrase to get ನನಗೆ ನೀನು ಇಷ್ಟವಿಲ್ಲ.
How do you pronounce it?
nanage neenu ishta
Did you know?
- The word ಇಷ್ಟ (ishta), meaning 'like' or 'pleasure', is also the root for the word 'Ishta-Devata', which refers to a devotee's favorite or personal deity in Hindu traditions.
- In many South Indian cultures, expressing 'I like you' through words is often secondary to 'ishta' shown through actions, such as offering food or small gifts.
- While ನನಗೆ ನೀನು ಇಷ್ಟ expresses liking, the phrase ನಾನು ನಿನ್ನನ್ನು ಪ್ರೀತಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ is used specifically for romantic 'I love you'.
Examples in context
- ನನಗೆ ನೀನು ಇಷ್ಟ.nanage neenu ishta.I like you.
Example conversation
Pranav is confessing his feelings to Divya.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavದಿವ್ಯಾ, ನನಗೆ ನೀನು ಇಷ್ಟ.Divya, nanage neenu ishta.Divya, I like you.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaನನಗೂ ನೀನು ಇಷ್ಟ ಪ್ರಣವ್.nanagoo neenu ishta Pranav.I like you too, Pranav.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavನಾನು ಇದನ್ನು ಹೇಳಲು ಹೆದರಿದ್ದೆ.naanu idannu helalu hedaridde.I was afraid to say this.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಈಗ ನಾವಿಬ್ಬರೂ ಖುಷಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದೇವೆ.ega navibbaroo khushiyagiddeve.Now we are both happy.
