Language/Kannada/Grammar/Present-Tense

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Kannada → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Present Tense

As a Kannada language teacher, I have had the pleasure of teaching Kannada for 20 years. Today, we will learn how to conjugate verbs in the present tense in Kannada. This is an important grammar structure that you will use in many situations to describe what is happening currently.

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: How to Use Have & Past Tense.

Regular Verbs

Most verbs in Kannada follow a particular pattern when conjugated in the present tense. To conjugate a regular verb, remove the '-ವ-' (-va-) at the end of the infinitive form of the verb and add the appropriate tense endings.

For example, let's conjugate the verb 'ಬರು' (baru) which means to come.

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
ನಾನು ಬರುತ್ತೇನೆ	nānu baruttēne	I am coming
ನೀವು ಬರುತ್ತೀರಿ	nīvu baruttīri	You are coming
ಅವನು/ಅವಳು/ಅದು ಬರುತ್ತದೆ	avanu/avalu/adu baruttade	He/She/It is coming
ನಾವು ಬರುತ್ತೇವೆ	nāvu baruttēve	We are coming
ನೀವು ಬರುತ್ತೀರಿ	nīvu baruttīri	You all are coming
ಅವರು ಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ	avaru baruttāre	They are coming

Note that the suffix '-ಯು' (-yu) is added to the verb root in some cases for more clarity in pronunciation.

Irregular Verbs

There are some common verbs in Kannada that do not follow the regular verb pattern when conjugated in the present tense. Here are a few examples:

Kannada	Pronunciation	English
ಇದೆ	ide	It is there
ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ	āguttade	It is happening
ತಿನ್ನುತ್ತೇನೆ	tinnuttēne	I am eating
ಕೊಯ್ಯುತ್ತಾರೆ	koyuttāre	They are buying

These verbs must be memorized separately, as they do not follow the regular conjugation patterns.

Negation

To negate a sentence in Kannada, 'ಇಲ್ಲ' (illa) or 'ಕೆಲವು ವೇಳೆ' (kelavu vēḷe) can be used at the end of the sentence. Here are examples of negating both regular and irregular verbs in the present tense:

Regular verb example: ನಾನು ಹೋಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ (nānu hōguvudilla) means "I am not going"

Irregular verb example: ಅದು ಇಲ್ಲ (adu illa) means "It is not there"

Conclusion

Mastering verb conjugation in Kannada is an essential step in reaching proficiency in the language. Remember to practice regularly and don't be afraid to make mistakes!

Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Gender & Consonants.

Table of Contents - Kannada Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Basic Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings
• Introductions

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• Vowels
• Consonants
• Conjuncts

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers
• Days and Months
• Telling Time

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns
• Pronouns

  ---

Common Verbs and Actions

• Basic Verbs
• Everyday Actions

  ---

Verb Conjugation

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Describing People
• Describing Places
• Adverbs

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

Food and Drink

• Meals and Ingredients
• Ordering at a Restaurant

  ---

Kannada Customs and Festivals

• Customs
• Festivals

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

  ---

Kannada Literature and Cinema

• Literature
• Cinema

Other Lessons

• Prepositions
• Past Tense
• Give your Opinion
• Future Tense
• Adjectives
• Pronouns
• Vowels
• Conjuncts
• Conditional Mood

Sources

• Kannada grammar - Wikipedia
• Learn All 12 English tenses completely in ONE video (In KANNADA ...

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