ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?
hegiddērā?
The English phrase "how are you" is translated into Kannada as ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? (hegiddērā?)
These phrases are used as greetings to ask about someone's well-being. You can ask how someone is or specifically if they are doing fine.
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Which one should you use?
The form ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? is the polite version used for elders or strangers, whereas ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀಯಾ? is the informal version. You might also use Hege Ideya? as a friendly way to ask how someone is, or Chennagideeya? to specifically ask "Are you fine?" to friends or peers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal version of "how are you?" used with friends or younger people is ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀಯಾ?
How do you pronounce it?
hegiddērā?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you how you are, a common response is ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ (chennāgiddēne), which means "I am doing well".
Did you know?
- In many Kannada speaking households, asking ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? is often bypassed in favor of asking ಊಟ ಆಯ್ತಾ?, which means 'did you eat?' This serves as a primary way to show care and check on someone's well-being.
- The word 'chennāgiddēne' (I am well) shares a root with the word 'chennagu', which can also mean 'beautiful' or 'good' in various contexts. This links your state of being directly to the concept of goodness.
- The suffix '-ira' in ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ? is a marker of high respect, similar to how 'sir' or 'madam' functions in English, but it is built directly into the verb structure itself.
Examples in context
- ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?namaskāra, hēgiddīrā?Hello, how are you?
- ನೀವು ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?nīvu hēgiddīrā?How are you?
- ಸರ್, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?sar, hēgiddīrā?Sir, how are you?
Example conversation
Abhishek meets Anvita at a cafe.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekನಮಸ್ಕಾರ ಅನ್ವಿತಾ, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?namaskāra anvitā, hēgiddīrā?Hello Anvita, how are you?
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ, ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.nānu chennāgiddēne, dhanyavādagalu.I am fine, thank you.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekನಿಮ್ಮ ಕೆಲಸ ಹೇಗಿದೆ?nimma kelasa hēgide?How is your work?
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaತುಂಬಾ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದೆ.tumbā chennāgide.It is very good.
