ಏನು
ēnu/eːn̪u/
The English phrase "what" is translated into Kannada as ಏನು (ēnu).
Meaning: what? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
How does it change in a sentence?
In formal or written Kannada, ಏನು (ēnu) is the standard interrogative pronoun used to ask 'what'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as ēnu.
Did you know?
- In casual conversation, adding a trailing sound like ಏನೋ (ēnō) changes 'what' into 'something' or 'some unknown thing'.
- ಏನು is a cognate to the Tamil word என்ன, the Malayalam എന്ത് and the Telugu ఏమిటి, reflecting their shared ancestry in the Dravidian language family.
- If you use ಏನು with a very sharp, rising intonation in a heated argument, it can transform from a simple question into an aggressive 'What did you say?!' The meaning shifts from seeking information to expressing confrontation.
Examples in context
- ಟಮಿನ ಉಪನಾಮ ಏನು ಅಂತ ನಿಮಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತ?Do you know what Tom's last name is?This sentence shows how to use ಏನು to ask about a specific piece of information like a name.Tatoeba #4776868 by legalghost, translation #4497587 by CK
- ನಿಮಗೆ ಏನು ಅನ್ನಿಸುತ್ತೆWhat do you think about it?This sentence demonstrates asking for an opinion using ಏನು.Tatoeba #8903002 by satez416, translation #42939 by CK
- ನಾಳೆ ನೀನು ಏನು ಮಾಡ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದೀಯ?What are you doing tomorrow?This sentence shows using ಏನು to ask about a future action.Tatoeba #12484394 by Lumi, translation #1012692 by DanaDescalza
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Pranav and Kavya are talking on the phone.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavನೀನು ಏನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀಯಾ?neenu enu heluttiddiya?What are you saying?
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaನಾನು ಏನು ಅಂದಿದ್ದು?naanu enu andiddu?What did I say?
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಅದನ್ನೇ ನಾನು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.adanne naanu keluttiddene.That is what I am asking.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಓಹ್, ಈಗ ನನಗೆ ಅರ್ಥವಾಯಿತು.oh, eega nanage arthavayitu.Oh, now I understand.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “what” translations and entries ಏನು, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಏನು, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
