ಹಲ್ಲಿ
halli/hɐlli/
The English word "lizard" is translated to Kannada as ಹಲ್ಲಿ (halli).
ಹಲ್ಲಿ is a noun used to refer to a lizard, a type of reptile.
Meaning: reptile (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /hɐlli/. In English transliteration, it is written as halli.
Did you know?
- In many Kannada households, if a ಹಲ್ಲಿ falls on a person's head or shoulder, it is traditionally viewed as an omen of coming bad luck or an impending crisis.
- The term ಹಲ್ಲಿ is fundamentally tied to the Proto-Dravidian root *palli, which has survived for thousands of years across the subcontinent.
- The word ಹಲ್ಲಿ is used broadly for common house geckos, though Kannada speakers often distinguish them from true wild lizards using separate descriptive adjectives.
Examples in context
- ಆ ಹಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಚಿಕ್ಕದಾಗಿದೆ.Ā halli tumbā chikkadāgide.That lizard is very small.
- ಹಲ್ಲಿ ಅಡಗಿದೆ.Halli adagide.The lizard is hiding.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking at a wall in their living room.
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaಅಲ್ಲಿ ನೋಡು, ಹಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆ!Alli nōdu, halli ide!Look there, there is a lizard!
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulಅದು ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಅಡಗಿದೆ?Adu elli adagide?Where is it hiding?
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaಅದು ಗೋಡೆ ಮೇಲೆ ಇದೆ.Adu gōde mēle ide.It is on the wall.
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulಅದು ತುಂಬಾ ವೇಗವಾಗಿದೆ.Adu tumbā vēgavāgide.It is very fast.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lizard” translations and entries ಹಲ್ಲಿ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಹಲ್ಲಿ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
