ಮಾತನಾಡು
mātanāḍu/maːt̪ɐn̪aːɖu/
The English verb 'speak' is translated into Kannada as ಮಾತನಾಡು (mātanāḍu).
The verb is used to indicate the ability to communicate in a specific language. To state that a male person speaks a specific language, use the structure [Language Name] + ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಾನೆ.
Meaning: to be able to communicate in a language (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ಮಾತನಾಡು is a compound formed from māta, meaning 'word' or 'speech' and āḍu, meaning 'to play' or 'to do'. Literally, it means 'to do words'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular future form ಮಾತನಾಡುವೆನು means 'I will speak'. The polite imperative form is ಮಾತನಾಡಿರಿ, used to say 'please speak'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /maːt̪ɐn̪aːɖu/ (mātanāḍu).
Did you know?
- The Kannada word for 'word', ಮಾತು, can refer not just to a single word but also to a 'promise' or a 'piece of advice'.
- The word ಮಾತನಾಡು is a cognate with the Telugu word మాట్లాడు ('māṭlāḍu'), showing a deep linguistic connection between the two Dravidian languages.
- The word ಆಡು (āḍu) is highly versatile and can be used to mean 'to play a game', 'to act in a play', or even 'to behave' in certain contexts.
Examples in context
- ನೀವು ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಿSpeak in English (to a friend).
- ಅವನು ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಾನೆ.avanu kannaḍa mātanāḍuttāne.He speaks Kannada.
- ನೀವು ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಷ್ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೀರಾ?nīvu iṅgliṣ mātanāḍuttīrā?Do you speak English?
Example conversation
Kiran and Soumya are discussing language skills at a cafe.
- ಕಿರಣ್ Kiranಸೌಮ್ಯ, ನೀವು ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೀರಾ?saumya, nīvu kannaḍa mātanāḍuttīrā?Soumya, do you speak Kannada?
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaಹೌದು ಕಿರಣ್, ನಾನು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಮಾತನಾಡಬಲ್ಲೆ.haudu kiṟaṇ, nānu svalpa mātanāḍaballe.Yes Kiran, I can speak a little.
- ಕಿರಣ್ Kiranತುಂಬಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯದು.tumba oḷḷeyadu.That is very good.
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.dhanyavādagalu.Thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ಮಾತನಾಡು, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಮಾತನಾಡು, CC BY-SA 4.0.
