ಅಕ್ಕಿ
akki/ɐkki/
The Kannada word for rice is ಅಕ್ಕಿ (akki).
ಅಕ್ಕಿ refers to the seeds used as food, specifically in their uncooked or raw state.
Meaning: seeds used as food (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the raw grain and the prepared meal. Use ಅಕ್ಕಿ for uncooked rice, whereas ಅನ್ನ is the specific word used for cooked rice.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is akki. The IPA is /ɐkki/.
Did you know?
- The word ಅನ್ನ for cooked rice is often used as a synecdoche for 'food' in general. A common way to ask if someone has eaten is to ask if they have had their ಅನ್ನ.
- In Karnataka, raw rice ಅಕ್ಕಿ is often used in religious rituals and offerings to deities. Specifically, uncooked grains are used in 'puja' ceremonies to symbolize prosperity.
- The word ಅಕ್ಕಿ shares a linguistic ancestor with the Tamil word அரிசி, showing how closely related these South Indian languages are.
Examples in context
- ಅಕ್ಕಿ ಬೇಕುI want rice (raw grain)
- ನನಗೆ ಬಿಳಿ ಅಕ್ಕಿ ಇಷ್ಟ.nanage biḷi akki iṣṭa.I like white rice.
- ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಕ್ಕಿ ಇದೆಯೇ?maneyalli akki ideyē?Is there rice in the house?
Example conversation
At home in the kitchen during lunch preparation.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekಅಕ್ಕಿ ಬಾಕಿ ಇದೆಯೇ?akki bāki ideyē?Is there any rice left?
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಹೌದು, ಅಕ್ಕಿ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟಿದೆ.haudu, akki sākasṭide.Yes, there is plenty of rice.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekಸರಿ, ಅಕ್ಕಿ ಅಳತೆ ಮಾಡು.sari, akki aḷate māḍu.Okay, measure the rice.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaನಾನು ಈಗ ಅಕ್ಕಿ ತರುತ್ತೇನೆ.nānu īga akki taruttene.I will bring the rice now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rice” translations and entries ಅಕ್ಕಿ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಅಕ್ಕಿ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
