ನೀನು
nīnu/n̪iːn̪u/
The English word 'you' is translated to Kannada as ನೀನು (nīnu).
ನೀನು is a subject pronoun used to refer to the person being addressed.
Meaning: subject pronoun: the person being addressed (pron)
Which one should you use?
The form ನೀವು (nīvu) is used instead of ನೀನು (nīnu) to show respect to elders or strangers, or when addressing more than one person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ನೀನು (nīnu) is used for people of equal or lower social status, such as close friends, children or younger siblings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of 'you' changes depending on its role in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
nīnu (/n̪iːn̪u/)
Did you know?
- In religious hymns and poetry, ನೀನು is frequently used to address a deity, reflecting a sense of intimate and personal closeness with the divine.
- In many Kannada-speaking households, you might avoid using any form of 'you' when speaking to parents, instead referring to them by their titles or relationship terms to show ultimate respect.
- Kannada allows for 'pro-drop', meaning speakers often omit ನೀನು entirely if the verb ending already makes it clear who is being addressed.
Examples in context
- ನೀನು ನನ್ನನು ನಿರಾಶೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತೀಯ.You let me down, Tom.This sentence shows the use of ನೀನು in a personal context.Tatoeba #4776827 by legalghost, translation #3342770 by CK
- ನೀನು ಇದನ್ನು ಮಾಡಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲವೆಂದು ನಂಬಿದ್ದೀಯಾ ಅಲ್ವ?You don't think I can do this, do you?This sentence demonstrates the use of ನೀನು when asking a question.Tatoeba #4774754 by legalghost, translation #3360364 by CK
- ಯಾವಾಗ ನಿನಗೆ ದುಡ್ಡು ಬೇಕಾದರೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ನೀನು ನನ್ನ ಜೊತೆ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತೇಯ.The only time you talk to me is when you need some money.This sentence illustrates the use of ನೀನು in a statement about behavior.Tatoeba #4774595 by legalghost, translation #2042689 by CK
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting at a cafe.
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaನೀನು ಇಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಯಾವಾಗ ಬಂದೆ?neenu illige yavaga bande?When did you come here?
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavನಾನು ಈಗಷ್ಟೇ ಬಂದೆ.naanu eegashte bande.I just arrived.
- ಸೌಮ್ಯ Soumyaನೀನು ಕಾಫಿ ಕುಡಿಯುತ್ತೀಯಾ?neenu coffee kudiyuttiya?Will you drink coffee?
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಹೌದು, ನಾನು ಕಾಫಿ ಕುಡಿಯುತ್ತೇನೆ.haudu, naanu coffee kudiyuttene.Yes, I will drink coffee.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries ನೀನು, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
