Colours in Kannada: ಕೆಂಪು, ನೀಲಿ, ಹಸಿರು and More
Kannada colour words with pronunciation, how to use them with nouns, and how to ask about colour.
Colour words are a simple, visual way to build vocabulary. In Kannada, they often come before the noun without changing.
The colours
| English | Kannada | Roman |
|---|---|---|
| red | ಕೆಂಪು | keṃpu |
| blue | ನೀಲಿ | nīli |
| green | ಹಸಿರು | hasiru |
| yellow | ಹಳದಿ | haḷadi |
| black | ಕಪ್ಪು | kappu |
| white | ಬಿಳಿ | biḷi |
| orange | ಕಿತ್ತಳೆ | kittaḷe |
| pink | ಗುಲಾಬಿ | gulābi |
| brown | ಕಂದು | kandu |
| grey | ಬೂದು | būdu |
| purple | ನೇರಳೆ | nēraḷe |
ಬಣ್ಣ (baṇṇa) means "colour".
Using colours
Colours go before the noun and stay the same:
- ಕೆಂಪು ಹೂವು — a red flower
- ಬಿಳಿ ಬಟ್ಟೆ — white cloth
- ಹಸಿರು ಎಲೆ — a green leaf
- ಕಪ್ಪು ಕಾರು — a black car
- ನೀಲಿ ಆಕಾಶ — the blue sky
Asking about colour
- ಇದು ಯಾವ ಬಣ್ಣ? — What colour is this?
- ಇದು ಕೆಂಪು ಬಣ್ಣ. — This is red.
- ನಿಮ್ಮ ಇಷ್ಟದ ಬಣ್ಣ ಯಾವುದು? — What is your favourite colour?
- ನನಗೆ ನೀಲಿ ಬಣ್ಣ ಇಷ್ಟ. — I like the colour blue.
Light and dark
Add ತಿಳಿ (light) or ಗಾಢ (dark) before the colour:
- ತಿಳಿ ನೀಲಿ — light blue
- ಗಾಢ ಹಸಿರು — dark green
Colours in culture
- ಹಳದಿ (yellow) and ಕೆಂಪು (red) are auspicious colours, seen in turmeric and kumkum.
- ಬಿಳಿ (white) is associated with purity and peace.
- ಹಸಿರು (green) is linked with nature and growth.
Tips
- Learn colours with everyday objects.
- Practise "ಇದು ಯಾವ ಬಣ್ಣ?"
- Use the dictionary to check spellings.
English Kannada Dictionary
Offline English–Kannada dictionary with meanings in proper Kannada script
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