ಹೆಂಡತಿ
hendati
The English word "wife" is translated into Kannada as ಹೆಂಡತಿ (hendati).
The term refers to a female partner in a marriage.
Meaning: female partner in a marriage (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal or literary tone, you can use ಪತ್ನಿ.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ಹೆಂಡತಿಯ is used when the word is in the possessive case, such as when you want to say "wife's" (for example, "wife's name").
How do you pronounce it?
hendati
Did you know?
- In classical Kannada literature, a wife is often poetically described using metaphors related to the 'Goddess Lakshmi', implying that the wife brings prosperity to the household.
- While ಹೆಂಡತಿ is the common term, the more formal ಪತ್ನಿ is a loanword from Sanskrit, reflecting the historical influence of Vedic culture on Kannada literary language.
- Kannada has several endearing terms for a wife that do not translate to 'wife' but instead mean 'companion' or 'life partner', such as ಜೀವದ साथी.
Examples in context
- ನಾನು ನನ್ನ ಪತ್ನಿಯನ್ನು ಪೂಜಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ.I worship my wife.
- ಅವನ ಹೆಂಡತಿ ತುಂಬಾ ಒಳ್ಳೆಯವಳು.avana hendati tumbā oḷḷeyavaḷu.His wife is a very good person.
- ನನ್ನ ಹೆಂಡತಿ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿದ್ದಾಳೆ.nanna hendati kelasakke hogiddāḷe.My wife has gone to work.
Example conversation
Kavya and Kiran are chatting at a coffee shop.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಕಿರಣ್, ನಿನ್ನ ಹೆಂಡತಿ ಎಲ್ಲಿ?kiraṇ, ninna hendati elli?Kiran, where is your wife?
- ಕಿರಣ್ Kiranಅವಳು ಈಗ ಹೂವಿನ ಅಂಗಡಲ್ಲಿದ್ದಾಳೆ.avaḷu īga hūvina aṅgaḍalliddāḷe.She is at the flower shop now.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಅವಳು ಯಾವಾಗ ಬರುತ್ತಾಳೆ?avaḷu yāvāga baruttāḷe?When will she come?
- ಕಿರಣ್ Kiranಅವಳು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುತ್ತಾಳೆ.avaḷu svalpa samayadalli baruttāḷe.She will come in a little while.
