ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ
namaskāra/n̪ɐmɐskaːɾɐ/
The English phrase "vanakkam" translates to the Kannada greeting ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ (namaskāra).
ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ is a respectful greeting used to say hello or goodbye.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is namaskāra and the IPA is /n̪ɐmɐskaːɾɐ/.
Did you know?
- Because ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ (namaskāra) is quite formal, using it with very close childhood friends can sometimes feel ironically humorous or even sarcastic in a playful context.
- The gesture typically accompanying ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ (namaskāra) is the 'Anjali Mudra', where the palms are pressed together near the chest, a physical movement that travels with the word across many Indian-derived languages.
- The root of the word refers to the act of 'bowing' or 'prostrating', transforming a physical act of submission into a social polite greeting.
Example conversation
Anvita and Rahul meet in a hallway.
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulನಮಸ್ಕಾರ ಅನ್ವಿತಾ!Namaskāra Anvitā!Hello Anvita!
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaನಮಸ್ಕಾರ ರಾಹುಲ್, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀರಾ?Namaskāra Rāhul, hēgiddīrā?Hello Rahul, how are you?
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulನಾನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ, ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.Nānu chennāgiddēne, dhanyavādagaḷu.I am doing well, thank you.
- ಅನ್ವಿತಾ Anvithaಸರಿ, ಮತ್ತೆ ಸಿಗೋಣ.Sari, matte sigōṇa.Okay, let's meet again.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
