DNS BHAT’S KANNADA WORD-FORMATION SYSTEM
Complete Reference for AI-Driven Kannada Word Generation
Book: ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲೇ ಹೊಸ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟುವ ಬಗೆ — Kannadalle Hosapadagalannu Kattuva Bage Author: ಡಿ. ಎನ್. ಶಂಕರ ಬಟ್ (D. N. Shankara Bhat) Source: 18-part blog series “ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಶ್ ಪದಗಳಿಗೆ ಸಾಟಿಯಾಗಿ ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲೇ ಹೊಸ ಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟುವ ಬಗೆ” (dnshankarabhat.net, archived)
Files in this folder: | File | Contents | |——|———-| | 02-...-blog.md | Full blog text — 15 posts, parts 4–18 (original Kannada, 6,469 lines) | | 02-...-en.md | English summary with chapter pointers | | 02-...-kn.md | Structured Kannada version | | 02-...-kn-eke.md | Eke romanisation | | 02-...-claude-prompt.md | This file — AI system prompt / morphology reference |
0. PHILOSOPHY AND CORE PRINCIPLES (Part 1)
DNS Bhat’s system creates new Kannada words using NATIVE Kannada morphology instead of Sanskrit borrowings. The problem: 80% of scientific/technical Kannada vocabulary consists of Sanskrit loans, making writing inaccessible to ordinary speakers. The solution: Kannada’s own roots and affixes are fully sufficient for all word-creation needs.
Key principles:
- Native Kannada roots and affixes are SUFFICIENT for all necessary words
- Old Kannada texts preserve productive word-formation patterns that can be revived
- New words must follow established Kannada morphological rules
- The goal is accessibility, not prestige (Sanskrit ≠ sophistication)
- Always prefer suffix-derived words (ಕಟ್ಟುಪದ) over compounds (ಜೋಡುಪದ) when possible, as they are more compact
1. FRAMEWORK OVERVIEW (Part 2)
Kannada has three word classes: ಹೆಸರುಪದ (nouns), ಎಸಕಪದ (verbs), ಪರಿಚೆಪದ (adjectives/adverbs).
Two methods of creating new words:
| Method | Kannada Term | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Suffixation (ಹಿನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು) | ಕಟ್ಟುಪದ | Adding suffixes to roots to change word class or add meaning |
| Compounding (ಜೋಡುಪದ) | ಜೋಡುಪದ | Combining two complete words; second word is always a noun |
Four prefix groups (ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು):
| Group | Kannada Term | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity/Degree | ಅಳವಿಯ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | arch-, super-, under-, co-, multi-, etc. |
| Spatial | ಇಂಬಿನ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | fore-, inter-, out-, over-, sub-, trans-, etc. |
| Temporal | ಹೊತ್ತಿನ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | ex-, pre-, post-, re-, neo-, etc. |
| Negation | ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆಯುವ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | a-, anti-, de-, dis-, in-, non-, un- |
2. NOUN SUFFIXES: VERB → NOUN (Parts 4, 5, 6)
2.1 Agent Nouns (people/beings who perform actions)
2.1.1 Suffix: -ಗ / -ಇಗ (verb → person who does)
| English | Verb Root | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| scribe | ಬರೆ (write) | ಬರೆಗ |
| pupil | ಕಲಿ (learn) | ಕಲಿಗ |
| champion | ಗೆಲ್ಲು (win) | ಗೆಲ್ಲುಗ |
| bandit | ದೋಚು (loot) | ದೋಚುಗ |
| recluse | ತೊರೆ (renounce) | ತೊರೆಗ |
| heir | ಮರುಪಡೆ (re-obtain) | ಮರುಪಡೆಗ |
| genius | ಪೇರರಿ (know greatly) | ಪೇರರಿಗ |
Feminine forms: Add -ಇತ್ತಿ after -ಗ/-ಇಗ:
- ಆರಯ್ಗ (nurse, m.) → ಆರಯ್ಗಿತ್ತಿ (nurse, f.)
- ನಾಡಿಗ (citizen, m.) → ನಾಡಿಗಿತ್ತಿ (citizen, f.)
2.1.2 Suffix: -ಗಾರ (noun → professional/habitual agent)
Applied ONLY to noun roots, NOT verb roots.
| English | Noun Root | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| peon | ಕೋಲು (staff) | ಕೋಲುಗಾರ |
| umpire | ತೀರ್ಪು (judgment) | ತೀರ್ಪುಗಾರ |
| emigre | ವಲಸೆ (migration) | ವಲಸೆಗಾರ |
| artisan | ಕೆಲಸ (work) | ಕೆಲಸಗಾರ |
| apprentice | ಕಲಿಕೆ (learning) | ಕಲಿಕೆಗಾರ |
Feminine forms: Add -ತಿ after -ಗಾರ:
- ನಲ್ಮೆಗಾರ (paramour, m.) → ನಲ್ಮೆಗಾರ್ತಿ (paramour, f.)
2.1.3 The -ee Problem (patients/recipients)
Kannada has NO direct patient suffix equivalent to English -ee. Two strategies:
Strategy A: Causative flip — Remove -ಇಸು from causative verb, apply -ಗ:
- employ → ಬಳಸು → employee = ಬಳಕೆಗ (one who is employed/used)
- train → ತರಬೇತಿಸು → trainee = ತರಬೇತಿಗ
Strategy B: ಕೊಡು/ಪಡೆ compounds:
- payee = ಪಡೆಗ (one who receives), payer = ಕೊಡುಗ (one who gives)
2.2 Instrument/Thing Nouns
2.2.1 Suffix: -ಕ (verb → instrument/substance)
For things that perform the action by their own nature:
| English | Verb Root | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| piston | ತಳ್ಳು (push) | ತಳ್ಳುಕ |
| lung | ಉಸಿರು (breathe) | ಉಸಿರುಕ |
| phone | ಗೆಂಟುಲಿ (tele-speak) | ಗೆಂಟುಲಿಕ |
| pesticide | ಕೇಡಳಿ (destroy pest) | ಕೇಡಳಿಕ |
2.3 Action/Abstract Nouns
2.3.1 Suffix: -ಇಕೆ / -ಕೆ (verb → abstract action)
Use -ಇಕೆ/-ಕೆ after verbs ending in -ಉ; use -ತ after verbs ending in -ಎ or -ಇ:
| English | Verb Root | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| idea | ಹಂಚು (distribute/think) | ಹಂಚಿಕೆ |
| notice | ಎಚ್ಚರು (be alert) | ಎಚ್ಚರಿಕೆ |
| nausea | ಉಬ್ಬಳು (swell up) | ಉಬ್ಬಳಿಕೆ |
| stamina | ತಾಳು (endure) | ತಾಳಿಕೆ |
| rage | ಕೆರಳು (be enraged) | ಕೆರಳಿಕೆ |
2.3.2 Suffix: -ತ (verb → abstract action, alternate)
Use after verbs ending in -ಎ or -ಇ:
| English | Verb Root | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| trauma | ಹೊಡೆ (strike) | ಹೊಡೆತ |
| ache | ಕೊಡೆ (ache) | ಕೊಡೆತ |
| jubilee | ಮೆರೆ (shine/celebrate) | ಮೆರೆತ |
| hold | ಹಿಡಿ (hold) | ಹಿಡಿತ |
| kick | ಒದೆ (kick) | ಒದೆತ |
| force | ಸೆಳೆ (pull) | ಸೆಳೆತ |
2.4 Concrete Result/Product Nouns
2.4.1 Suffix: -ಗೆ / -ಇಗೆ (verb → concrete result/product)
Distinct from -ಇಕೆ (abstract) — these denote tangible results:
| English | Verb Root | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| purgative | ಎಕ್ಕು (expel) | ಎಕ್ಕುಗೆ |
| example | ಎತ್ತು (lift/cite) | ಎತ್ತುಗೆ |
| equipment | ಒದಗು (supply) | ಒದಗುಗೆ |
| drink | ಕುಡಿ (drink) | ಕುಡಿಗೆ |
| ornament | ತೊಡು (wear) | ತೊಡುಗೆ |
| duty/tax | ತೆರು (pay) | ತೆರಿಗೆ |
2.4.2 Suffix: -ತೆ (verb → concrete result, alternate)
| English | Verb Root | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| height | ಎತ್ತು (raise) | ಎತ್ತರತೆ |
2.5 Zero Derivation (Part 6)
English freely uses verbs as nouns without morphological change (e.g., “a walk”, “a cut”). Kannada CANNOT do this — the verb form itself cannot serve as a noun. Instead, Kannada must add the appropriate suffix based on semantic role:
- For agent: add -ಗ (walk → ನಡೆಗ “walker”, not *ನಡೆ “a walk”)
- For action: add -ಇಕೆ (walk → ನಡೆಯಿಕೆ “walking”)
- For result: add -ಗೆ (cut → ಕೊಯ್ಗೆ “a cut/result”)
- For instrument: add -ಕ (drill → ಕೊರೆಕ “drill tool”)
3. NOUN SUFFIXES: ADJECTIVE → NOUN (Part 3)
3.1 Suffix: -ತನ (adjective → abstract quality noun)
Universal suffix for converting any adjective to a quality noun:
| English | Adjective | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| beauty | ಚೆಲುವ (beautiful) | ಚೆಲುವತನ |
| cruelty | ಕ್ರೂರ (cruel) | ಕ್ರೂರತನ |
| darkness | ಕಪ್ಪು (dark) | ಕಪ್ಪುತನ |
3.2 Reverse: Noun → Adjective
Use ಪತ್ತುಗೆಯ ಅ (possessive form):
- ಚೆಲುವತನ (beauty) → ಚೆಲುವತನದ (of beauty / beautiful)
4. NOUN SUFFIXES: NOUN → NOUN (Part 7)
4.1 Status/Quality: -ತನ
| English | Base Noun | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| childhood | ಹುಡುಗ (boy) | ಹುಡುಗತನ |
| slavery | ಗುಲಾಮ (slave) | ಗುಲಾಮತನ |
4.2 Person associated: -ಗ / -ಇಗ (from noun)
| English | Base Noun | Kannada Word |
|---|---|---|
| native | ನಾಡು (land) | ನಾಡಿಗ |
| hypocrite | ತೋರ್ಕೆ (show) | ತೋರ್ಕೆಗ |
| animal | ಉಸಿರು (breath) | ಉಸಿರುಗ |
| friend | ಅಳವು (capability) | ಅಳವಿಗ |
4.3 Professional: -ಗಾರ (from noun)
Same as 2.1.2 above.
4.4 Feminine: -ತಿ / -ಇತ್ತಿ
- After -ಗಾರ → add -ತಿ: ನಲ್ಮೆಗಾರ → ನಲ್ಮೆಗಾರ್ತಿ
- After -ಗ/-ಇಗ → add -ಇತ್ತಿ: ನಾಡಿಗ → ನಾಡಿಗಿತ್ತಿ
4.5 Diminutive: ಕಿರು- / ಕಿತ್ತ್-
Phonological rule: ಕಿರು before consonants, ಕಿತ್ತ್ before vowels:
- booklet → ಕಿರುಪೊತ್ತಗೆ
- islet → ಕಿತ್ತೀವು (ಕಿತ್ತ್ + ಈವು)
4.6 Expert: -ಅರಿಗ
- linguist → ನುಡಿಯರಿಗ
- botanist → ಗಿಡಅರಿಗ
4.7 Advocate: -ಒಲವಿಗ
- feminist → ಹೆಣ್ಣೊಲವಿಗ
- nationalist → ನಾಡೊಲವಿಗ
4.8 Jargon/Register: ತೊಂಡು
- legalese → ಕಟ್ಟಲೆತೊಂಡು
- jargon → ತೊಂಡು
5. VERB CREATION (Parts 13, 17)
5.1 The Only Verb Suffix: -ಇಸು
Kannada has ONE productive suffix for creating new verbs: -ಇಸು. It can be added to nouns, adjectives, or borrowed words:
| English | Base Word | Kannada Verb |
|---|---|---|
| to computerize | ಕಂಪ್ಯೂಟರ್ | ಕಂಪ್ಯೂಟರಿಸು |
| to hospitalize | ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ (hospital) | ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಿಸು |
5.2 Three Participial Forms for Adjectives from Verbs
| Form | Kannada Term | Suffix | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past participial | ಹಿಂಬೊತ್ತಿನ | -ದ | ಮಾಡಿದ (done/made) |
| Present participial | ಮುಂಬೊತ್ತಿನ | -ಉವ | ಮಾಡುವ (doing/making) |
| Negative participial | ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆಯುವ | -ಅದ | ಮಾಡದ (not done) |
6. QUANTITY AND DEGREE PREFIXES (Part 8)
6.1 Numeral Root Prefixes
| Number | Old Kannada Root | Phonological Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (mono/uni) | ಒರ್ / ಓರ್ | ಒರ್ before C, ಓರ್ before V | monocle→ಓರ್ಕಣ್ಣು, unicorn→ಓರ್ಕೊಂಬು |
| 2 (bi/di) | ಇರ್ / ಈರ್ | ಇರ್ before C, ಈರ್ before V | bicycle→ಇರ್ಗಾಲಿ, biennial→ಈರಾಂಡಿನ |
| 3 (tri) | ಮುರ್ / ಮೂರ್ | ಮುರ್ before C, ಮೂರ್ before V | trident→ಮುರ್ಮೊನೆ, triangle→ಮುಮ್ಮೂಲೆ |
| 4 (quadri) | ನಾಲ್ | — | quadrilateral→ನಾಲ್ಬದಿ |
| 5 (penta) | ಅಯ್ | — | pentagon→ಅಯ್ಮೂಲೆ |
| half (semi) | ಅರೆ | — | semicircle→ಅರೆವಟ್ಟ |
| many (multi/poly) | ಹಲ | — | multilingual→ಹಲನುಡಿಯ |
| all (omni/pan) | ಎಲ್ಲ | — | omniscient→ಎಲ್ಲವರಿತ |
6.2 Degree Prefixes
| English Prefix | Kannada Equivalent | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| arch- / super- / ultra- | ಎಕ್ಕ | archbishop→ಎಕ್ಕಬಿಶಪ್, superman→ಎಕ್ಕಮನುಶ್ಯ |
| hyper- | ಮಿಗಿಲು | hyperactive→ಮಿಗಿಲುಚುರುಕಿನ |
| under- (insufficient) | ಕೊರೆ | underdeveloped→ಕೊರೆಬೆಳೆದ |
| out- / over- (surpass) | ಮೀರಿ / ಮೀರು | outnumber→ಮೀರಿಎಣಿಸು, overcome→ಮೀರುಗೆಲ್ಲು |
| co- / fellow | ಕೂಡು / ಒಡ | co-author→ಒಡಬರೆಗ, cooperate→ಕೂಡುದುಡಿ |
| self- / auto- | ತನ್ನ / ತಾನೇ | autobiography→ತನ್ನಬದುಕುಬರಹ |
7. SPATIAL PREFIXES (Part 9)
| English Prefix | Kannada Equivalent | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| fore- | ಮುನ್ | foreground→ಮುನ್ನೆಲ, forehead→ಮುನ್ನುಡಿ |
| inter- / mid- | ಒಡ / ನಡು | international→ಒಡನಾಡಿನ, interval→ನಡುಬಿಡುವು |
| out- / ex- (outside) | ಹೊರ | outdoor→ಹೊರಾಂಗಣ, export→ಹೊರಸಾಗಣೆ |
| over- / super- (above) | ಮೇಲ್ | overcoat→ಮೇಲುಡುಪು, surface→ಮೇಲ್ಮಯ್ |
| sub- / under- (below) | ಒಳ / ಕೆಳ | submarine→ಒಳನೀರಿಗೆ, subtitle→ಕೆಳಗಂಡಿಗೆ |
| trans- (across) | ಆಚೆ | transcontinental→ಆಚೆಖಂಡದ |
| tele- (far) | ಗೆಂಟು | television→ಗೆಂಟುನೋಟ, telephone→ಗೆಂಟುಲಿಕ |
| circum- (around) | ಸುತ್ತ | circumference→ಸುತ್ತಳತೆ |
8. TEMPORAL PREFIXES (Part 10)
| English Prefix | Kannada Equivalent | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| ex- (former) | ಮುನ್ನ | ex-president→ಮುನ್ನ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ |
| fore- (beforehand) | ಮುನ್ | foresee→ಮುನ್ನರಿ, forecast→ಮುನ್ನೆಣಿಕೆ |
| pre- (before) | ಮುನ್ | prehistoric→ಮುನ್ನಡೆಯ, premature→ಮುನ್ನಾದ |
| post- (after) | ಬಳಿ | postmortem→ಬಳಿಸಾವಿನ, postgraduate→ಬಳಿಪದವಿಯ |
| re- (again) | ಮರು / ಮಾರ್ | redo→ಮರುಮಾಡು, rewrite→ಮಾರ್ಬರೆ |
| re- (back/return) | ಹಿನ್ | return→ಹಿನ್ನಡೆ, reflect→ಹಿನ್ನೋಟ |
| neo- (new) | ಹೊಸ | neo-classical→ಹೊಸಕಟ್ಟಲೆಯ |
| paleo- (old) | ಹಳೆ | paleolithic→ಹಳೆಕಲ್ಲಿನ |
Phonological rule for ಮರು/ಮಾರ್: ಮರು before consonants, ಮಾರ್ before vowels.
9. NEGATION PREFIXES (Parts 11, 12)
9.1 Core Distinction: ಇಲ್ಲ vs ಅಲ್ಲ
This is UNIQUE to Kannada and has no parallel in English:
| Negation Type | Kannada | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absence/lack | ಇಲ್ಲ | “does not exist/have” | For lacking a quality or thing |
| Incorrectness/otherness | ಅಲ್ಲ | “is not” | For being something other than |
9.2 Negation Prefix Equivalents
| English | Kannada Strategy | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| a- / an- (without) | ಇಲ್ಲದ (lacking) | amoral→ನೀತಿಯಿಲ್ಲದ, anarchy→ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆಯಿಲ್ಲದಿಕೆ |
| a- / an- (not being) | ಅಲ್ಲದ (not being) | asymmetric→ಸಮನಲ್ಲದ |
| anti- (against) | ಎದುರಿ / ಎದುರುಕ | antibiotic→ಎದುರಿಸೂಲಿಕ, antisocial→ಎದುರುಸಮಾಜದ |
| de- (reverse action) | Specific reversal verbs | deforest→ಕಾಡಳಿಸು, decode→ಬಿಡಿಸು |
| dis- (opposite/apart) | ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆ / specific verbs | disapprove→ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆ, disarm→ಆಯುಧಕಳೆ |
| in- / im- (not/unable) | ಆಗದ (inability) | impossible→ಆಗದ, invisible→ಕಾಣದ |
| non- (not being) | ಅಲ್ಲದ | non-fiction→ಕಟ್ಟುಕತೆಯಲ್ಲದ |
| un- (lacking) | ಇಲ್ಲದ | unhappy→ನಲಿವಿಲ್ಲದ, unaware→ಅರಿವಿಲ್ಲದ |
9.3 Additional Negation Patterns
| Pattern | Suffix | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Negative participial | -ಅದ | ಮಾಡದ (undone), ಕಾಣದ (unseen) |
| Inability/impossibility | ಆಗದ | “that which cannot be done” |
| Nominal negation | ಇಲ್ಲದಿಕೆ | absence as a noun: ನೀತಿಯಿಲ್ಲದಿಕೆ (amorality) |
| Person lacking quality | -ಇಲಿ | ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಲಿ (childless person) |
10. COMPOUND WORDS: ಜೋಡುಪದ (Parts 14, 15)
10.1 Compound Nouns
Kannada compound nouns always have a NOUN as the second (head) element. The first element can be:
Type 1: Noun + Noun | English | Kannada | Analysis | |———|———|———-| | beehive | ಜೇನುಗೂಡು | ಜೇನು (honey) + ಗೂಡು (nest) | | coffin | ಹೆಣಪೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆ | ಹೆಣ (corpse) + ಪೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆ (box) | | retina | ಕಣ್ಣುಪರೆ | ಕಣ್ಣು (eye) + ಪರೆ (membrane) | | lagoon | ಕಡಲ್ಕೊಳ | ಕಡಲ್ (sea) + ಕೊಳ (pond) | | lard | ಹಂದಿನೆಣ | ಹಂದಿ (pig) + ನೆಣ (fat) |
Type 2: Verb + Noun | English | Kannada | Analysis | |———|———|———-| | pushcart | ತಳ್ಳುಗಾಡಿ | ತಳ್ಳು (push) + ಗಾಡಿ (cart) | | lava | ಕರಗುಕಲ್ಲು | ಕರಗು (melt) + ಕಲ್ಲು (rock) | | myth | ಕಟ್ಟುಕತೆ | ಕಟ್ಟು (construct) + ಕತೆ (story) | | sleigh | ಜಾರುಬಂಡಿ | ಜಾರು (slide) + ಬಂಡಿ (cart) | | missile | ಬಿಟ್ಟೇರು | ಬಿಡು (release) + ಏರು (ascend) |
Type 3: Adjective + Noun | English | Kannada | Analysis | |———|———|———-| | greenhouse | ಹಸಿರುಮನೆ | ಹಸಿರು (green) + ಮನೆ (house) | | phobia | ಕಡುದಿಗಿಲು | ಕಡು (extreme) + ದಿಗಿಲು (fear) | | salad | ಹಸಿಪಲ್ಲೆ | ಹಸಿ (raw) + ಪಲ್ಲೆ (vegetable) | | empire | ಪೆರ್ನಾಡು | ಪೆರ್ (great) + ನಾಡು (land) |
10.2 Compound Verbs (ಕೂಡುಪದ)
Three types of compound verbs:
Type 1: Noun + Verb | English | Kannada | Analysis | |———|———|———-| | to brainwash | ತಲೆತೊಳೆ | ತಲೆ (head) + ತೊಳೆ (wash) | | to oven-cook | ಗೂಡೊಲೆಯಡು | ಗೂಡೊಲೆ (oven) + ಅಡು (cook) |
Type 2: Adjective + Verb | English | Kannada | Analysis | |———|———|———-| | to highlight | ಎದ್ದುತೋರಿಸು | ಎದ್ದು (prominent) + ತೋರಿಸು (show) |
Type 3: Verb (conjunctive) + Verb | English | Kannada | Analysis | |———|———|———-| | to stir-fry | ಕೆದರಿಹುರಿ | ಕೆದರಿ (having stirred) + ಹುರಿ (fry) |
10.3 Key Compounding Principle
Do NOT translate word-for-word; translate the MEANING:
- handbook → ಕಿರುಕಡತ (small-document), NOT *ಕಯ್ಕಡತ (hand-document)
- deadline → ಕೊನೆಗೆಡು (final-limit), NOT *ಸಾವುಗೆರೆ (death-line)
11. STANDALONE ENGLISH NOUNS (Part 16)
For English nouns that have no affixes and are not compounds, Kannada can:
Strategy 1: Direct equivalent exists — Use it:
- weed→ಕಳೆ, tree→ಮರ, wind→ಗಾಳಿ, head→ತಲೆ, ground→ನೆಲ
Strategy 2: Use suffix-derived word — Prefer this over compounds:
- fear→ಹೆದರಿಕೆ (ಹೆದರು + -ಇಕೆ), conduct→ನಡತೆ (ನಡೆ + -ತೆ)
Strategy 3: Use compound — When suffixes don’t suffice:
- coffin→ಹೆಣಪೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆ, colic→ಹೊಟ್ಟೆನೋವು
Strategy 4: Coin new word — For concepts with no existing equivalent:
- Analyze the English word’s core meaning
- Find key Kannada semantic components
- Prefer suffix-derived form; fall back to compound if needed
Decision hierarchy: Direct equivalent > Suffix-derived > Compound > Loan word
Quality Nouns from Nouns
For nouns denoting qualities/states (-ness, -ity, -dom equivalents):
| Suffix | Condition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -ತನ | Default for most nouns | ಕುಡುಕತನ (drunkard-ness) |
| -ಇಕೆ | After nouns ending in -ಗಾರ or -ಆಟ | ಬಿಲ್ಲುಗಾರಿಕೆ (archery), ಬೂಟಾಟಿಕೆ (pretense) |
12. NEO-CLASSICAL ROOT MAPPINGS (Part 18)
For technical vocabulary using Greek/Latin combining forms:
| Neo-classical Root | Kannada Equivalent | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| astro- (star) | ಬಾನ್ | ಬಾನು (sky) |
| bio- (life) | ಉಸಿರಿ | ಉಸಿರು (breath/life) |
| electro- (electric) | ಮಿನ್ | ಮಿಂಚು (lightning) |
| geo- (earth) | ಮಣ್ / ನೆಲ | ಮಣ್ಣು (soil), ನೆಲ (ground) |
| hydro- (water) | ನೀರ್ | ನೀರು (water) |
| tele- (far) | ಗೆಂಟು | — |
| thermo- (heat) | ಬಿಸಿ | ಬಿಸಿ (hot) |
| photo- (light) | ಬೆಳಕು | ಬೆಳಕು (light) |
| psycho- (mind) | ಮನ | ಮನಸ್ಸು (mind) |
| Neo-classical Suffix | Kannada Equivalent | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -logy (study of) | ಅರಿಮೆ | biology→ಉಸಿರಿಯರಿಮೆ |
| -scope (viewing device) | ತೋರ್ಪುಕ | telescope→ಗೆಂಟುತೋರ್ಪುಕ |
| -meter (measuring) | ಅಳಕ | thermometer→ಬಿಸಿಯಳಕ |
| -cracy (rule by) | ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆ | democracy→ಮಂದಿಯಾಳ್ವಿಕೆ |
| -naut (sailor) | ಹಾಯ್ಗ | astronaut→ಬಾನಹಾಯ್ಗ |
| -graph (writing/recording) | ಬರಹ | photograph→ಬೆಳಕುಬರಹ |
13. WORD-GENERATION ALGORITHM
When given an English word to coin a native Kannada equivalent:
Step 1: Check if a native Kannada equivalent already exists
- If yes, use it (don’t reinvent)
Step 2: Analyze the English word’s morphological structure
- Is it a prefixed word? → Map to appropriate Kannada prefix (Sections 6-9)
- Is it a suffixed word? → Map to appropriate Kannada suffix (Sections 2-4)
- Is it a compound? → Build Kannada compound (Section 10)
- Is it a standalone root word? → Use Strategy from Section 11
Step 3: Identify the semantic core
- What does the word MEAN (not what it looks like)?
- What semantic role: agent, action, result, instrument, quality, location?
Step 4: Select formation strategy (in order of preference)
- Suffix-derived word (most compact, preferred)
- Prefix + word (for spatial/temporal/negation/degree meanings)
- Compound word (when suffixes insufficient)
Step 5: Select the appropriate root
- Find native Kannada verb, noun, or adjective that captures the core meaning
- Prefer Old Kannada roots where they exist and are recognizable
- Avoid Sanskrit-derived roots
Step 6: Apply morphological rules
- Match suffix to root class (verb roots get verb suffixes, noun roots get noun suffixes)
- Apply phonological rules: sandhi, gemination, vowel harmony
- Check: ಮರು/ಮಾರ್, ಕಿರು/ಕಿತ್ತ್, ಒರ್/ಓರ್ allomorphy rules
Step 7: Verify
- Is the word intelligible to a native Kannada speaker?
- Does it follow an established pattern? (cite analogous existing word)
- Is it compact and pronounceable?
14. COMPLETE SUFFIX REFERENCE TABLE
| Suffix | Source Class | Target | Semantic Role | Phonological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -ಗ / -ಇಗ | Verb OR Noun | Noun | Agent (person who does) | — |
| -ಗಾರ | Noun ONLY | Noun | Professional/habitual agent | Fem: -ಗಾರ್ತಿ |
| -ಇತ್ತಿ | After -ಗ/-ಇಗ | Noun | Feminine agent | — |
| -ಕ | Verb | Noun | Instrument/substance | — |
| -ಇಕೆ / -ಕೆ | Verb | Noun | Abstract action | After -ಉ ending verbs |
| -ತ | Verb | Noun | Abstract action (alt) | After -ಎ / -ಇ ending verbs |
| -ಗೆ / -ಇಗೆ | Verb | Noun | Concrete result/product | — |
| -ತೆ | Verb | Noun | Concrete result (alt) | — |
| -ತನ | Adj OR Noun | Noun | Quality/status | Universal applicability |
| -ಇಕೆ | After -ಗಾರ / -ಆಟ nouns | Noun | Quality/profession | — |
| -ಇಲಿ | Noun | Noun | Person lacking quality | — |
| -ಇಸು | Noun OR Adj | Verb | “to make/do X” | ONLY productive verb suffix |
| ಕಿರು- / ಕಿತ್ತ್- | — | — | Diminutive | ಕಿರು before C, ಕಿತ್ತ್ before V |
| -ಅರಿಗ | Noun | Noun | Expert/specialist | — |
| -ಒಲವಿಗ | Noun | Noun | Advocate/supporter | — |
15. PHONOLOGICAL RULES SUMMARY
- Allomorphy rules:
- ಮರು before consonants / ಮಾರ್ before vowels (re-)
- ಕಿರು before consonants / ಕಿತ್ತ್ before vowels (diminutive)
- ಒರ್ before consonants / ಓರ್ before vowels (mono/uni)
- ಇರ್ before consonants / ಈರ್ before vowels (bi/di)
- ಮುರ್ before consonants / ಮೂರ್ before vowels (tri)
- Suffix selection by verb ending:
- Verbs ending in -ಉ → use -ಇಕೆ/-ಕೆ for action nouns
- Verbs ending in -ಎ or -ಇ → use -ತ for action nouns
-
Sandhi (junction): Follow existing Kannada word patterns for combining morphemes at boundaries.
- Key distinction: -ಗ/-ಇಗ applies to BOTH verb and noun roots; -ಗಾರ applies ONLY to noun roots.
Document Date: 2026-02-17 Source: DNS Bhat’s 18-part article series from dnshankarabhat.net, manually transcribed Purpose: AI system prompt reference for generating native Kannada words following Bhat’s methodology
Repository Source (Phase 19)
A clean structured Kannada source file 02-kannaDadalle-hosapadagaLannu-kaTTuva-bage-kn.md is available with a 3-level deep TOC and <a id="sec-N-M"> section anchors. After every section anchor there is a [Eke →] cross-link to the kn-eke.md; the kn-eke.md mirrors with [ಕನ್ನಡ →] links. Header block includes [← ಸೂಚಿ](./README) index back-link. Citation marks standardised to curly single quotes 'word' (U+2018/U+2019).