CodeVerse Creatives
Esc
Kannada Language Syllabus / Week 9

Week 9: Food, Shopping & Ordering

With all three tenses in hand, this week turns toward the vocabulary that gets used the moment you actually visit Karnataka: food and drink words, ordering at a restaurant, and the phrases you need to shop and gently bargain.

Week 9 of 12 ~2 Hours Everyday Vocabulary Beginner-Friendly

By the end of this week, you'll be able to

  • Name common foods and drinks
  • Order at a restaurant and ask for the bill
  • Use basic shopping and bargaining phrases
1 Food & Drink 2 Ordering 3 Shopping & Bargaining 4 Exercise 5 Practice

1. Food & Drink Vocabulary

A short, high-frequency list covers most everyday food conversation.

food & drink
ಅನ್ನ      Anna      Rice           ಹಾಲು      Hālu      Milk
ನೀರು      Nīru      Water          ಕಾಫಿ       Kāphi     Coffee
ಊಟ       Ūṭa       Meal (lunch/dinner)   ಚಹಾ       Chahā     Tea
ತಿಂಡಿ     Tiṇḍi     Snack / breakfast     ಹಣ್ಣು     Haṇṇu     Fruit
ತರಕಾರಿ    Tarakāri  Vegetable      ಸಿಹಿ       Sihi      Sweet (dessert)

"ಊಟ" and "ತಿಂಡಿ" are both broader than a single English word — ಊಟ covers a full rice-based meal (lunch or dinner), and ತಿಂಡಿ covers breakfast items or light snacks generally, rather than mapping onto exact English mealtime words.

2. Ordering at a Restaurant & Asking for the Bill

A handful of set phrases will get you through an entire restaurant visit.

ordering & the bill
ಇದು ಬೇಕು              Idu bēku               I want this
ಒಂದು ಕಾಫಿ ಕೊಡಿ         Ondu kāphi kodi        Give (me) one coffee
ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಬೇಕು          Innondu bēku           I want one more
ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದೆ             Chennāgide             It's good/tasty
ಬಿಲ್ ಕೊಡಿ              Bil kodi               Give (me) the bill

"ಬೇಕು" (bēku, "want/need") is one of the most useful words in the entire language — attach it after any noun to say you want that thing, no verb conjugation required: "kāphi bēku" (I want coffee), "nīru bēku" (I want water). It's the fastest possible way to ask for something.

"Kodi" (kodi) as a general polite command

"ಕೊಡಿ" (kodi, "give") is the formal-imperative form — perfect for ordering or requesting an item from someone providing a service. You'll hear and use it constantly at shops, stalls and restaurants.

3. Shopping Phrases & Basic Bargaining

You already have "Idu eshtu?" (how much is this) from Week 3 — here's what to say once you hear the price.

shopping & bargaining
ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು?              Idu eshtu?               How much is this?
ಬೆಲೆ ಕಡಿಮೆ ಮಾಡಿ          Bele kaḍime māḍi         Please reduce the price
ತುಂಬ ದುಬಾರಿ              Tumba dubāri             (That's) too expensive
ಕಡಿಮೆಗೆ ಕೊಡಿ             Kaḍimege kodi            Give (it) for less
ಸರಿ, ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇನೆ  Sari, tegedukoḷḷuttēne   Okay, I'll take it

Bargaining is genuinely expected in many local markets, though not in fixed-price stores — a light, friendly tone works far better than an aggressive one. "Bele kaḍime māḍi" (please reduce the price), said with a smile, is usually all it takes to open the negotiation.

4. Hands-on Exercise

Hands-on

Role-play a full order and a purchase

Act out both sides of two short scenes, out loud.

Part 1 — At a restaurant:

  1. Order two different items using "bēku" or "kodi."
  2. Say the food is good using "chennāgide."
  3. Ask for the bill.

Part 2 — At a shop:

  1. Ask the price of an imaginary item with "Idu eshtu?"
  2. React that it's too expensive, then ask for a lower price.
  3. Agree to a final price and say you'll take it.
Play both roles, not just the customer

Say the shopkeeper's likely responses too, even in English if you don't know the Kannada yet — anticipating the other side of the exchange is what makes real conversation feel less unpredictable.

5. Practice Quiz

Five questions covering food, ordering and shopping vocabulary. Attempt each before expanding the answer.

Q1

Which word means "want/need," and can attach directly after a noun with no verb conjugation?

A) ಕೊಡಿ (Kodi)
B) ಬೇಕು (Bēku)
C) ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದೆ (Chennāgide)
D) ದುಬಾರಿ (Dubāri)

Correct answer: B) ಬೇಕು (Bēku). "Kāphi bēku" (I want coffee) is the fastest way to ask for something, with no conjugation needed.

Q2

What is the difference in scope between "ಊಟ" (Ūṭa) and "ತಿಂಡಿ" (Tiṇḍi)?

A) They're perfect synonyms
B) Ūṭa is a full rice-based meal; Tiṇḍi is breakfast/snack items
C) Ūṭa means "drink"; Tiṇḍi means "meal"
D) Ūṭa is only for dessert

Correct answer: B. Ūṭa covers a full rice-based lunch/dinner; Tiṇḍi covers breakfast or lighter snack items.

Q3

Which phrase would you use to ask for the bill?

A) Idu eshtu?
B) Bil kodi
C) Innondu bēku
D) Bele kaḍime māḍi

Correct answer: B) Bil kodi. Literally "give the bill" — the standard way to ask for the check.

Q4

"Tumba dubāri" means:

A) Very cheap
B) Too expensive
C) I'll take it
D) It's very tasty

Correct answer: B) Too expensive. "Tumba" means "very," and "dubāri" means "expensive."

Q5

What tone generally works best when bargaining in a local market?

A) Aggressive and forceful
B) Silent — never speak, just point
C) Light and friendly
D) Bargaining is never acceptable anywhere

Correct answer: C) Light and friendly. Bargaining is expected in many local markets (though not fixed-price stores), and a friendly tone works far better than an aggressive one.

← Previous Week 8: Future Tense & Making Plans Up next Week 10: Directions, Travel & Asking for Help →