ಸರಿ
sari/sɐɾi/
The English phrase "ok" can be translated into Kannada as ಸರಿ (sari).
ಸರಿ is used to express acknowledgement, agreement or acceptance. While ಸರಿ is the standard term, you may also encounter Chennagide, which means "good" or "fine" and serves as a casual way to say OK.
Meaning: acknowledgement or acceptance (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ಸರಿ is the formal and neutral standard for expressing agreement. In modern urban settings, the English loanword ಓಕೆ is very commonly used in casual, colloquial conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /sɐɾi/.
Did you know?
- The word ಸರಿ is a cognate with the Malayalam ശരി, Tamil சரி and Telugu సరే, meaning the way to say 'ok' is nearly identical across the four major Dravidian languages of South India.
- While ಸರಿ means 'ok' or 'correct', it also describes something that is 'straight' or 'level', such as a line or a surface.
- While ಸರಿ is the standard 'OK', using it with a falling intonation can sometimes sound dismissive or curt, almost like saying 'Fine' in a grumpy English manner.
Examples in context
- ಸರಿ, ನಾನು ಬರುತ್ತೇನೆ.sari, nānu baruttēne.Ok, I will come.
- ಸರಿ, ಈಗ ಹೋಗೋಣ.sari, īga hōgōṇa.Ok, let's go now.
- ಸರಿ, ನಾನು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಡುತ್ತೇನೆ.sari, nānu māḍikoḍuttēne.Ok, I will do it for you.
Example conversation
Pranav and Anvita are discussing their plans for the afternoon.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavನಾವು ಸಂಜೆ ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡೋಣವೇ?nāvu sañje sinimā nōḍōṇavē?Shall we watch a movie this evening?
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaಸರಿ, ಪ್ರಣವ್, ನಾನು ಬರುತ್ತೇನೆ.sari, praṇav, nānu baruttēne.Ok, Pranav, I will come.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavನಾನು ಟಿಕೆಟ್ ಬುಕ್ ಮಾಡಬೇಕೆ?nānu ṭikeṭ buk māḍabēke?Should I book the tickets?
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaಸರಿ, ಈಗಲೇ ಮಾಡಿ.sari, īgalē māḍi.Ok, do it right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ಸರಿ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಸರಿ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
