Kannada is the official language of Karnataka and the most appreciated local language to use in Bengaluru. A warm 'Namaskara' (hello) and 'Dhanyavadagalu' (thank you) instantly builds goodwill with shopkeepers in KR Market, auto drivers in Indiranagar, and priests at Bull Temple or ISKCON. Hindi and English are widely understood in IT corridors like Whitefield and Electronic City, but switch to Kannada when traveling through residential wards, BMTC buses, or smaller eateries serving Bisi Bele Bath.
Auto-rickshaw drivers and small-shop vendors often quote fares or amounts in Hindi ('kitna?'), so carrying a mental bilingual cheat sheet is helpful. Keep phone screens ready with Google Translate's Kannada camera feature for reading menu boards at Darshinis and traditional thali joints. Polite phrasing and the use of 'sir' or 'madam' is standard and expected in Bengaluru.
Use 'Namaskara' at immigration counters and taxi desks. At prepaid taxi and Ola/Uber pickup zones, confirm 'Kempegowda International Airport' and your destination area (e.g., MG Road, Koramangala, Whitefield) by spelling it out. Ask 'Yelli bus stop?' to find BMTC Vayu Vajra AC bus bays. English signage is bilingual, so pointing is also effective.
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Before boarding an auto, ask 'Yelli?' (Where?) and 'Eshtu?' (How much?). For metered rides, say 'Meter jhaliko' (Please start the meter). Drivers often quote higher for tourists, so counter with 'Hosa meter rate' or simply open Ola/Uber as a benchmark. Tip is not mandatory but rounding up the fare ('round madko') is appreciated.
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At stations, look for 'Ticket Counter' or ask 'Ticket yelli?' The purple and green line announcements are in Kannada and English. To recharge a smart card, say 'Smart card recharge madko'. On BMTC buses, tell the conductor your destination stop; saying 'Majestic ge sutta' helps reach the central bus stand.
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Common phrases: 'Oota aadaru' (food, please), 'Filter coffee kodi' (give filter coffee), 'Water kodi' (water, please). At Darshinis and CTR-style restaurants, ask for 'Gobi/Paneer dosa', 'Rava idli', or 'Thatte idli'. At the end, say 'Bili kodi' (bill please). Eating with hands is fine but use only the right hand.
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At KR Market, Chickpet, or Commercial Street, ask 'Eshtu dollar?' (How much?). Bargaining starts at 30–50% of the quoted price. Useful phrases: 'Tumbaa kammi' (too expensive), 'Agri beku' (reduce it), 'Last price' (final price). For silk sarees and sandalwood, verify 'Original aagalla?' (is it original?). Pay with UPI for the best rate.
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Use 'Namaskara' to priests and 'Prasada kodi' to request blessed offering. Ask 'Darshanage yelli?' (where is darshan line?). Remove footwear, dress modestly, and avoid pointing feet toward deities. At ISKCON Temple and Bull Temple, photography may be restricted—say 'Photo andadru' to ask politely. Avoid touching idols or sacred objects.
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