ಮಾವು
māvu/maːʋu/
The English word 'mango' is ಮಾವು (māvu) in Kannada.
ಮಾವು is used to refer to mango. You may also encounter the phrase maavu rasayana to refer specifically to a mango dessert.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ಮಾವು refers to the mango, it is very common in conversation to use the phrase ಮಾವಿನ ಹಣ್ಣು (māvin haṇṇu) to specifically refer to the fruit itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Mysore region, maavu is a popular way to say 'mango'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate possession or relation, such as in the phrases 'mango tree' or 'mango juice', use the oblique form ಮಾವಿನ (māvin).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /maːʋu/ (māvu).
Did you know?
- The English word 'mango' is actually a borrowing from Dravidian languages, meaning it traveled from South India to the rest of the world.
- Mangoes are so culturally significant in Karnataka that they are often used as symbols of prosperity and are essential offerings in many local religious rituals.
- The term maavu rasayana refers to a dessert, where rasayana implies a medicinal or rejuvenating elixir in ancient Ayurvedic tradition.
Examples in context
- ನನಗೆ ಮಾವು ಇಷ್ಟI like mango
- ಮಾವು ಸಿಹಿಯಾಗಿದೆ.māvu sihiyāgide.The mango is sweet.
- ನನಗೆ ಮಾವು ತುಂಬಾ ಇಷ್ಟ.nanage māvu tumbā iṣṭa.I like mango very much.
Example conversation
Pranav and Kavya are talking about fruit in the kitchen.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಕಾವ್ಯ, ಮಾವು ತಿನ್ನುತ್ತೀಯಾ?Kāvya, māvu tinnuttīyā?Kavya, will you eat a mango?
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಹೌದು, ಮಾವು ನನಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಇಷ್ಟ.haudu, māvu nanage tumbā iṣṭa.Yes, I like mangoes very much.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavನಾನು ಅದನ್ನು ಈಗ ಕತ್ತರಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.nānu adannu īga kattarisuttēne.I will cut it now.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು, ಪ್ರಣವ್.dhanyavādagaḷu, Praṇav.Thank you, Pranav.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mango” translations and entries ಮಾವು, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಮಾವು, CC BY-SA 4.0.
