Kannada Transliteration Guide: Colors
The Kannada color examples cover red, blue, green, yellow, and black-and-white. Use the complete “This is...” pattern when identifying something, and use the shorter color-plus-noun pattern when naming an object, such as a ball, car, or leaf. The Roman spellings here are learning aids, not a complete pronunciation system.
Start with these expressions
| English | Transliteration | Native script |
|---|---|---|
| A red ball. | kempu chendu. | ಕೆಂಪು ಚೆಂಡು. |
| A blue car. | neeli kaaru. | ನೀಲಿ ಕಾರು. |
| A green leaf. | hasiru ele. | ಹಸಿರು ಎಲೆ. |
| This is red. | idu kempu | ಇದು ಕೆಂಪು |
| This is blue. | idu neeli | ಇದು ನೀಲಿ |
| This is green. | idu hasiru | ಇದು ಹಸಿರು |
| This is yellow. | idu haladi | ಇದು ಹಳದಿ |
| This is black and white. | idu kappu mattu bili | ಇದು ಕಪ್ಪು ಮತ್ತು ಬಿಳಿ |
Choose the pattern that matches your situation
When you are pointing something out and identifying its colour, choose one of the five complete “This is...” examples. They express a whole statement for red, blue, green, yellow, or black-and-white. The opening demonstrative corresponds to the documented Kannada word meaning “this” or “it” [1].
The other three examples work differently: they are short labels made from a colour followed by an object, such as a red ball, blue car, or green leaf. Use that pattern when naming or describing an item rather than making a complete identification. This is a useful reading distinction: do not add the “This is...” structure when you only need an object label, and do not treat an object label as a full sentence.
Keep the beginner gloss “blue” broad. The dictionary evidence also records a dark-blue sense for the relevant colour term [2], so these examples should not be used to claim one exact shade. Learn the Roman spellings as practical prompts, while checking the English meaning shown with each row.
[1] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
[2] Source: dsal.uchicago.edu.
Try it
You are pointing to a blue car and want to name the object rather than say a full “This is...” statement. Which example should you choose?
Choose your answer before reading on.
Check your answer:
Use expression 2 in the table above.
Choose the example whose English meaning is “A blue car.” It fits because the situation calls for a colour-plus-noun label, not a complete identification sentence.
Look at a red ball, blue car, or green leaf and decide first whether you are naming the object or identifying it. Then choose the matching row and say it aloud from the Roman-letter prompt.
Practise speaking with Bhol. Learn words and sentences written in English letters.
