ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿ
nanage hēḷi
ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿ (nanage hēḷi) is the Kannada way to say "tell me".
This phrase is used as a request for someone to provide information or to explain something to the speaker. You can also use the phrase ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿ to mean "Please tell me".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of nanage, which means "to me" and hēḷi, which is the polite or formal imperative form of "tell" or "say".
Which one should you use?
nanage hēḷi is the polite and formal way to say "tell me", while nanage hēḷu is used when speaking with friends or younger people.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the informal version nanage hēḷu, the root form hēḷu is used instead of the polite hēḷi.
How do you pronounce it?
nanage hēḷi
Did you know?
- While nanage hēḷi asks for information, Kannada speakers often use the phrase hēḷi on its own as a conversational filler similar to 'so' or 'tell me more' to keep the other person talking.
- The verb hēḷu is used not only for giving information but also to describe the physical act of pronouncing or uttering a specific sound.
- When you use the polite form hēḷi, the grammar is identical to the form used when addressing a whole group of people.
Examples in context
- ನಿಜವಾದ ವಿಷಯ ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿ.Nijavāda viṣaya nanage hēḷi.Tell me the truth.
- ಆ ಕಥೆಯನ್ನು ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿ.Ā katheyannu nanage hēḷi.Tell me that story.
- ನಿಮ್ಮ ವಿಳಾಸ ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿ.Nimma viḷāsa nanage hēḷi.Tell me your address.
Example conversation
Divya asks Pranav for the meeting time.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಪ್ರಣವ್, ಮೀಟಿಂಗ್ ಸಮಯವನ್ನು ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿ.Pranav, meeting samayavannu nanage hēḷi.Pranav, tell me the meeting time.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಅದು ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ ಎರಡು ಗಂಟೆಗೆ ಇದೆ.Adu madhyāhna eraḍu gaṇṭege ide.It is at two o'clock in the afternoon.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.Dhanyavādagaḷu.Thank you.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ.Paravāgillā.You're welcome.
