kannaDadalle hosapadagaLannu kaTTuva bage
How to Build New Words in Kannada
Author: D. N. Shankara Bhat (ಡಿ. ಎನ್. ಶಂಕರ ಭಟ್) Series: DNS Bhat Linguistics Series Language: Kannada Format: 52-part YouTube series, read by Malati Bhat YouTube Playlist: Part 1 (see footnotes for all 52 links)
Book Overview
Kannadadalle Hosapadagalannu Kattuva Bage (“How to Build New Words in Kannada”) is D. N. Shankara Bhat’s practical handbook for creating new vocabulary in Kannada using the language’s native Dravidian morphological resources, rather than borrowing from Sanskrit. The book addresses a concrete and ongoing crisis: more than half of the words in general Kannada dictionaries are Sanskrit loans, and in scientific and technical registers this proportion rises to over eighty percent. Bhat argues that this is not a consequence of any limitation in Kannada’s expressive capacity — the language’s own roots, suffixes, and prefixes are fully capable of generating all the vocabulary needed for modern life and learning — but of a cultural habit: when writers and scholars needed new words, they reached automatically for Sanskrit, because Sanskrit had prestige and because few people realized that Kannada’s own morphological toolkit was equally powerful.
The book systematically dismantles this assumption. Parts 1–18 document the complete native Kannada word-formation system: three word classes (ಹೆಸರುಪದ nouns, ಎಸಕಪದ verbs, ಪರಿಚೆಪದ adjectives/adverbs), two word-creation methods (ಕಟ್ಟುಪದ suffixation and ಜೋಡುಪದ compounding), and four prefix groups (quantity/degree ಅಳವಿಯ, spatial ಇಂಬಿನ, temporal ಹೊತ್ತಿನ, negation ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆಯುವ). Parts 19–52 apply this system in an affix-by-affix analysis of English vocabulary — showing how each English suffix and prefix can be rendered in native Kannada. The cumulative effect is a complete, self-contained word-formation manual grounded in Old Kannada texts and applicable to the full range of modern vocabulary.
This book is the primary source for the DNS_BHAT_WORD_FORMATION_PROMPT.md reference document used in this repository for AI-assisted native Kannada word generation.
Table of Contents
- Part 1 — Philosophy and Core Principles
- Part 2 — Framework Overview
- Parts 3–7 — Noun Suffixes
- Parts 8–12 — Prefix Groups
- Parts 13 and 17 — Verb Creation
- Parts 14–16 — Compound Words and Standalone Nouns
- Part 18 — Neo-Classical Roots
- Parts 19–52 — Application: English Suffixes and Prefixes
- Key Terms Glossary
- Cross-References
Part 1 — Philosophy and Core Principles
(ಮುನ್ನುಡಿ — ಕನ್ನಡದ ಒಲವುಗಳು)
1.1 The Sanskrit Problem in Kannada Writing
Bhat opens with a diagnosis of the current state of written Kannada. When Kannada writers and scholars need new words — for concepts in science, administration, technology, or modern social life — they almost invariably reach for Sanskrit: Sanskrit roots, Sanskrit prefixes, Sanskrit suffixes combined into Sanskrit-derived forms. The result is visible in any Kannada dictionary: more than fifty percent of general vocabulary is Sanskrit-derived, and in scientific or technical registers the figure rises above eighty percent.
Bhat’s claim is not that Sanskrit loanwords are wrong in Kannada — borrowing between languages is normal and inevitable — but that the rate of Sanskrit borrowing in technical registers is not driven by necessity. It is driven by a habit formed over centuries of Sanskrit prestige, a habit that has made Kannada writers unaware that their own language possesses the morphological resources to build all the words they need natively.
1.2 Native Kannada Morphology as the Solution
Kannada is an agglutinative Dravidian language with a rich system of native roots, suffixes, and prefixes. Old Kannada texts — from inscriptions and literature of the 6th through 12th centuries — preserve productive word-formation patterns that are still regular and recognizable to modern speakers. The forms Bhat demonstrates are not archaisms requiring special learning; they are patterns any native speaker can recognize and use.
The key insight is systemic: Kannada’s suffix system covers every semantic role — agent (who does), instrument (what is used), abstract action (the doing), concrete result (what results), quality (the character) — with distinct, unambiguous suffixes. Sanskrit covers some of these roles; Kannada covers all of them, more precisely.
1.3 Purpose and Scope of the Book
The book has two goals: first, to document the complete native Kannada word-formation system so that writers who want to use native vocabulary can do so with confidence; second, to demonstrate the system in action by working through English vocabulary affix by affix, showing the native Kannada equivalent for each English suffix and prefix.
The motivation is accessibility. Written Kannada saturated with Sanskrit borrowings is legible to readers with Sanskrit training but opaque to ordinary speakers. Native-vocabulary Kannada is Kannada that all Kannada speakers can read, regardless of educational background. The book is therefore both a linguistic manual and a social argument.
Part 2 — Framework Overview
(ಹೊಸಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟುವ ಒಟ್ಟು ಚೌಕಟ್ಟು)
2.1 Three Word Classes
Bhat works with three primary word classes in Kannada:
| Kannada Term | Romanization | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ಹೆಸರುಪದ | hesarupada | Noun |
| ಎಸಕಪದ | esakapada | Verb |
| ಪರಿಚೆಪದ | paricepada | Adjective / Adverb |
Word-formation is fundamentally about moving between these classes — turning verbs into nouns, adjectives into nouns, nouns into verbs — and about extending the meaning of existing words through prefixation. All of Kannada’s word-formation rules can be stated in terms of these three classes.
2.2 Two Methods: ಕಟ್ಟುಪದ and ಜೋಡುಪದ
Kannada has two fundamental methods of building new words:
ಕಟ್ಟುಪದ (Suffixation / Suffix-derived words): Adding a suffix (ಹಿನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು) to a root changes its word class or adds a new semantic dimension. This is the preferred method — suffix-derived words are more compact, more natural-sounding, and more integrated into the grammatical system.
ಜೋಡುಪದ (Compounding): Joining two complete words to create a new concept. Compound nouns always have a noun as the second (head) element. Compound verbs always have a verb as the second element.
The hierarchy is clear: prefer ಕಟ್ಟುಪದ over ಜೋಡುಪದ wherever possible.
2.3 Four Prefix Groups
Kannada’s prefix (ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು) system is organized into four semantic groups:
| Group | Kannada Term | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity/Degree | ಅಳವಿಯ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | arch-, super-, hyper-, under-, co-, self-, numeral prefixes |
| Spatial | ಇಂಬಿನ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | fore-, inter-, out-, over-, sub-, trans-, tele-, circum- |
| Temporal | ಹೊತ್ತಿನ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | ex-/former, pre-, post-, re-, neo-, paleo- |
| Negation | ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆಯುವ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | a-/an-, anti-, de-, dis-, in-/im-, non-, un- |
Parts 3–7 — Noun Suffixes
Part 3 — Adjective to Noun: -ತನ
(ಪರಿಚೆಪದದಿಂದ ಹೆಸರುಪದ)
3.1 The Quality Suffix -ತನ
The suffix -ತನ is the universal Kannada suffix for converting an adjective or noun to an abstract quality noun — the equivalent of English -ness, -ity, -hood:
| English | Kannada Adjective/Noun | Derived Noun |
|---|---|---|
| beauty | ಚೆಲುವ (beautiful) | ಚೆಲುವತನ |
| cruelty | ಕ್ರೂರ (cruel) | ಕ್ರೂರತನ |
| darkness | ಕಪ್ಪು (dark) | ಕಪ್ಪುತನ |
| childhood | ಹುಡುಗ (boy) | ಹುಡುಗತನ |
| slavery | ಗುಲಾಮ (slave) | ಗುಲಾಮತನ |
3.2 The Reverse: Noun to Adjective
To go in the reverse direction — converting a noun to an adjective — Kannada uses the possessive form (ಪತ್ತುಗೆ ರೂಪ): add the genitive suffix -ದ to produce an adjectival form. Thus ಚೆಲುವತನ (beauty) → ಚೆಲುವತನದ (of beauty / beautiful).
Parts 4–5 — Verb to Noun: Agents, Instruments, Actions, Results
(ಎಸಕಪದದಿಂದ ಹೆಸರುಪದ)
4.1 Agent Nouns: -ಗ / -ಇಗ (Person Who Does)
The suffix -ಗ/-ಇಗ attaches to verb roots to form nouns denoting the agent — the person who performs the action. This is the equivalent of English -er/-or when applied to verbs:
| English | Verb Root | Derived Noun |
|---|---|---|
| scribe | ಬರೆ (write) | ಬರೆಗ |
| pupil | ಕಲಿ (learn) | ಕಲಿಗ |
| champion | ಗೆಲ್ಲು (win) | ಗೆಲ್ಲುಗ |
| recluse | ತೊರೆ (renounce) | ತೊರೆಗ |
Feminine forms add -ಇತ್ತಿ after -ಗ/-ಇಗ: ಆರಯ್ಗ (nurse, m.) → ಆರಯ್ಗಿತ್ತಿ (nurse, f.).
4.2 Professional Agent Nouns: -ಗಾರ (Noun → Professional)
The suffix -ಗಾರ attaches only to noun roots (not verb roots) to form professional or habitual agent nouns:
| English | Noun Root | Derived Noun |
|---|---|---|
| umpire | ತೀರ್ಪು (judgment) | ತೀರ್ಪುಗಾರ |
| emigre | ವಲಸೆ (migration) | ವಲಸೆಗಾರ |
| artisan | ಕೆಲಸ (work) | ಕೆಲಸಗಾರ |
Feminine: -ಗಾರ → -ಗಾರ್ತಿ: ನಲ್ಮೆಗಾರ → ನಲ್ಮೆಗಾರ್ತಿ.
4.3 The Patient/Recipient Problem (the -ee Gap)
Kannada has no direct equivalent of English -ee (the person who is acted upon). Two strategies fill this gap: (A) remove -ಇಸು from a causative verb, apply -ಗ: trainee = ತರಬೇತಿಗ; (B) use ಕೊಡು/ಪಡೆ compounds: payee = ಪಡೆಗ (one who receives).
4.4 Instrument Nouns: -ಕ (Thing That Does)
The suffix -ಕ attaches to verb roots to form instrument nouns — things that perform the action by their nature:
| English | Verb Root | Derived Noun |
|---|---|---|
| piston | ತಳ್ಳು (push) | ತಳ್ಳುಕ |
| lung | ಉಸಿರು (breathe) | ಉಸಿರುಕ |
| phone | ಗೆಂಟುಲಿ (tele-speak) | ಗೆಂಟುಲಿಕ |
4.5 Abstract Action Nouns: -ಇಕೆ/-ಕೆ and -ತ
Two suffixes form abstract action nouns, with phonological conditioning:
- After verbs ending in -ಉ: use -ಇಕೆ/-ಕೆ: ಎಚ್ಚರು → ಎಚ್ಚರಿಕೆ (notice/alertness), ತಾಳು → ತಾಳಿಕೆ (stamina)
- After verbs ending in -ಎ or -ಇ: use -ತ: ಹೊಡೆ → ಹೊಡೆತ (blow/trauma), ಹಿಡಿ → ಹಿಡಿತ (grip/hold)
4.6 Concrete Result Nouns: -ಗೆ/-ಇಗೆ and -ತೆ
Distinct from the abstract action suffixes, -ಗೆ/-ಇಗೆ and -ತೆ form nouns denoting the tangible result of an action:
| English | Verb Root | Derived Noun |
|---|---|---|
| example | ಎತ್ತು (lift/cite) | ಎತ್ತುಗೆ |
| equipment | ಒದಗು (supply) | ಒದಗುಗೆ |
| drink | ಕುಡಿ (drink) | ಕುಡಿಗೆ |
| duty/tax | ತೆರು (pay) | ತೆರಿಗೆ |
Part 6 — Zero Derivation
(ಶೂನ್ಯ ಕಟ್ಟಣೆ)
6.1 Why Kannada Cannot Do What English Does
English freely uses verb forms as nouns without any morphological change: “a walk”, “a cut”, “a run”, “a find”. This zero derivation — converting a word class with no overt marking — is impossible in Kannada. A Kannada verb form cannot function as a noun without a suffix.
Bhat reframes this constraint as Kannada’s morphological richness: the language requires precision about which kind of noun you are creating. The same English verb “walk” could yield:
- Agent: ನಡೆಗ (walker)
- Abstract action: ನಡೆಯಿಕೆ (the act of walking)
- Concrete result: ನಡಿಗೆ (a walk / the distance walked)
Each role has its own suffix; none is left implicit.
Part 7 — Noun to Noun
(ಹೆಸರುಪದದಿಂದ ಹೆಸರುಪದ)
7.1 Expert Suffix: -ಅರಿಗ
The suffix -ಅರಿಗ forms expert/specialist nouns from field nouns:
- linguist → ನುಡಿಯರಿಗ (nudi + ariga)
- botanist → ಗಿಡಅರಿಗ (gida + ariga)
7.2 Advocate Suffix: -ಒಲವಿಗ
The suffix -ಒಲವಿಗ forms advocate/supporter nouns:
- feminist → ಹೆಣ್ಣೊಲವಿಗ
- nationalist → ನಾಡೊಲವಿಗ
7.3 Diminutive: ಕಿರು- / ಕಿತ್ತ್-
The diminutive prefix has two allomorphs: ಕಿರು before consonants, ಕಿತ್ತ್ before vowels:
- booklet → ಕಿರುಪೊತ್ತಗೆ
- islet → ಕಿತ್ತೀವು
Parts 8–12 — Prefix Groups
Part 8 — Quantity and Degree Prefixes
(ಅಳವಿಯ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು)
8.1 Numeral Root Prefixes
Old Kannada preserves a complete set of numeral root prefixes for international prefixes like mono-, bi-, tri-, quadri-:
| English Prefix | Kannada Root | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| mono-/uni- | ಒರ್/ಓರ್ | ಒರ್ before C, ಓರ್ before V | monocle → ಓರ್ಕಣ್ಣು |
| bi-/di- | ಇರ್/ಈರ್ | ಇರ್ before C, ಈರ್ before V | bicycle → ಇರ್ಗಾಲಿ |
| tri- | ಮುರ್/ಮೂರ್ | ಮುರ್ before C, ಮೂರ್ before V | triangle → ಮುಮ್ಮೂಲೆ |
| quadri- | ನಾಲ್ | — | quadrilateral → ನಾಲ್ಬದಿ |
| penta- | ಅಯ್ | — | pentagon → ಅಯ್ಮೂಲೆ |
| semi- | ಅರೆ | — | semicircle → ಅರೆವಟ್ಟ |
| multi-/poly- | ಹಲ | — | multilingual → ಹಲನುಡಿಯ |
| omni-/pan- | ಎಲ್ಲ | — | omniscient → ಎಲ್ಲವರಿತ |
8.2 Degree Prefixes
| English Prefix | Kannada Equivalent | Example |
|---|---|---|
| arch-/super-/ultra- | ಎಕ್ಕ | superman → ಎಕ್ಕಮನುಶ್ಯ |
| hyper- | ಮಿಗಿಲು | hyperactive → ಮಿಗಿಲುಚುರುಕಿನ |
| under- (insufficient) | ಕೊರೆ | underdeveloped → ಕೊರೆಬೆಳೆದ |
| out-/over- (surpass) | ಮೀರಿ/ಮೀರು | outnumber → ಮೀರಿಎಣಿಸು |
| co-/fellow- | ಕೂಡು/ಒಡ | co-author → ಒಡಬರೆಗ |
| self-/auto- | ತನ್ನ/ತಾನೇ | autobiography → ತನ್ನಬದುಕುಬರಹ |
Part 9 — Spatial Prefixes
(ಇಂಬಿನ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು)
9.1 The Spatial Prefix System
Kannada has a complete system of spatial prefixes drawn from native Kannada directional words:
| English Prefix | Kannada Equivalent | Example |
|---|---|---|
| fore- | ಮುನ್ | foreground → ಮುನ್ನೆಲ |
| inter-/mid- | ಒಡ/ನಡು | international → ಒಡನಾಡಿನ |
| out-/ex- (outside) | ಹೊರ | export → ಹೊರಸಾಗಣೆ |
| over-/super- (above) | ಮೇಲ್ | overcoat → ಮೇಲುಡುಪು |
| sub-/under- (below) | ಒಳ/ಕೆಳ | submarine → ಒಳನೀರಿಗೆ |
| trans- (across) | ಆಚೆ | transcontinental → ಆಚೆಖಂಡದ |
| tele- (far) | ಗೆಂಟು | television → ಗೆಂಟುನೋಟ |
| circum- (around) | ಸುತ್ತ | circumference → ಸುತ್ತಳತೆ |
Part 10 — Temporal Prefixes
(ಹೊತ್ತಿನ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು)
10.1 The Temporal Prefix System
| English Prefix | Kannada Equivalent | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ex-/former | ಮುನ್ನ | ex-president → ಮುನ್ನ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ |
| fore-/pre- | ಮುನ್ | forecast → ಮುನ್ನೆಣಿಕೆ |
| post- | ಬಳಿ | postgraduate → ಬಳಿಪದವಿಯ |
| re- (again) | ಮರು/ಮಾರ್ | redo → ಮರುಮಾಡು, rewrite → ಮಾರ್ಬರೆ |
| re- (back) | ಹಿನ್ | return → ಹಿನ್ನಡೆ |
| neo- (new) | ಹೊಸ | neo-classical → ಹೊಸಕಟ್ಟಲೆಯ |
| paleo- (old) | ಹಳೆ | paleolithic → ಹಳೆಕಲ್ಲಿನ |
Allomorphy rule for ಮರು/ಮಾರ್: ಮರು before consonants, ಮಾರ್ before vowels.
Parts 11–12 — Negation Prefixes
(ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆಯುವ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು)
11.1 The Core Kannada Negation Distinction: ಇಲ್ಲ vs. ಅಲ್ಲ
This is Bhat’s most linguistically distinctive analysis in the prefix section, because the distinction has no parallel in English or Sanskrit. Kannada distinguishes two fundamentally different kinds of negation:
| Negation Type | Kannada | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absence/lack | ಇಲ್ಲ | “does not exist / does not have” | When something is missing or absent |
| Incorrectness/otherness | ಅಲ್ಲ | “is not” | When something is the wrong type |
Examples: ನೀತಿಯಿಲ್ಲದ (amoral = lacking morality), ಸಮನಲ್ಲದ (asymmetric = not equal).
11.2 Negation Prefix Equivalents
| English | Kannada Strategy | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a-/an- (without) | ಇಲ್ಲದ | amoral → ನೀತಿಯಿಲ್ಲದ |
| a-/an- (not being) | ಅಲ್ಲದ | asymmetric → ಸಮನಲ್ಲದ |
| anti- (against) | ಎದುರಿ/ಎದುರುಕ | antibiotic → ಎದುರಿಸೂಲಿಕ |
| de- (reverse) | Specific reversal verbs | deforest → ಕಾಡಳಿಸು |
| dis- (opposite) | ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆ/specific verbs | disapprove → ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆ |
| in-/im- (not/unable) | ಆಗದ (inability) | impossible → ಆಗದ |
| non- (not being) | ಅಲ್ಲದ | non-fiction → ಕಟ್ಟುಕತೆಯಲ್ಲದ |
| un- (lacking) | ಇಲ್ಲದ | unhappy → ನಲಿವಿಲ್ಲದ |
11.3 Additional Negation Patterns
| Pattern | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Negative participial | -ಅದ | ಮಾಡದ (undone), ಕಾಣದ (unseen) |
| Inability | ಆಗದ | “that which cannot be done” |
| Nominal negation | ಇಲ್ಲದಿಕೆ | ನೀತಿಯಿಲ್ಲದಿಕೆ (amorality, as noun) |
| Person lacking quality | -ಇಲಿ | ಮಕ್ಕಳಿಲಿ (childless person) |
Parts 13 and 17 — Verb Creation
(ಎಸಕಪದಗಳನ್ನು ಕಟ್ಟುವುದು)
13.1 The Only Productive Verb Suffix: -ಇಸು
Kannada has exactly one productive suffix for creating new verbs: -ಇಸು. It can be added to nouns, adjectives, or borrowed foreign words:
| English | Base Word | Kannada Verb |
|---|---|---|
| to computerize | ಕಂಪ್ಯೂಟರ್ | ಕಂಪ್ಯೂಟರಿಸು |
| to hospitalize | ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ | ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಿಸು |
13.2 Three Participial Forms
Verbs generate three participial (adjectival) forms, each with a different tense/polarity:
| Participial Form | Kannada Term | Suffix | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past | ಹಿಂಬೊತ್ತಿನ ಪರಿಚೆ | -ದ | ಮಾಡಿದ (done/made) |
| Present | ಮುಂಬೊತ್ತಿನ ಪರಿಚೆ | -ಉವ | ಮಾಡುವ (doing/making) |
| Negative | ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆಯುವ ಪರಿಚೆ | -ಅದ | ಮಾಡದ (not done) |
Parts 14–16 — Compound Words and Standalone Nouns
(ಜೋಡುಪದ ಮತ್ತು ನಿಂತ ಹೆಸರುಪದ)
14.1 Compound Nouns: ಜೋಡುಪದ
Kannada compound nouns always have a noun as the second (head) element. Three first-element types:
Noun + Noun:
| English | Kannada | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| beehive | ಜೇನುಗೂಡು | ಜೇನು (honey) + ಗೂಡು (nest) |
| retina | ಕಣ್ಣುಪರೆ | ಕಣ್ಣು (eye) + ಪರೆ (membrane) |
Verb (verbal form) + Noun:
| English | Kannada | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| pushcart | ತಳ್ಳುಗಾಡಿ | ತಳ್ಳು (push) + ಗಾಡಿ (cart) |
| myth | ಕಟ್ಟುಕತೆ | ಕಟ್ಟು (construct) + ಕತೆ (story) |
Adjective + Noun:
| English | Kannada | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| greenhouse | ಹಸಿರುಮನೆ | ಹಸಿರು (green) + ಮನೆ (house) |
| salad | ಹಸಿಪಲ್ಲೆ | ಹಸಿ (raw) + ಪಲ್ಲೆ (vegetable) |
14.2 Compound Verbs
Compound verbs always have a verb as the second element. Three types:
- Noun + Verb: ತಲೆತೊಳೆ (brainwash = head-wash)
- Adjective + Verb: ಎದ್ದುತೋರಿಸು (highlight = prominently-show)
- Converb + Verb: ಕೆದರಿಹುರಿ (stir-fry = having-stirred + fry)
14.3 The Key Compounding Principle
The most important rule in compound formation: translate the MEANING, not the word-by-word structure.
- handbook → ಕಿರುಕಡತ (small-document), NOT *ಕಯ್ಕಡತ (hand-document) — because what is relevant semantically is that it is compact, not that you hold it.
- deadline → ಕೊನೆಗಡು (final-limit), NOT *ಸಾವುಗೆರೆ (death-line) — the metaphor is English’s, not Kannada’s.
15.1 Standalone English Nouns: Decision Hierarchy
For English nouns that lack explicit affixes and are not compounds, a four-step decision hierarchy applies:
- Direct native equivalent exists — use it: weed → ಕಳೆ, wind → ಗಾಳಿ
- Suffix-derived word — preferred over compound: fear → ಹೆದರಿಕೆ
- Compound — when suffixes insufficient: coffin → ಹೆಣಪೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆ
- Loan word — only when no native option is available
The hierarchy encodes the book’s core value: native before borrowed, simple before complex.
Part 18 — Neo-Classical Roots
(ನವ-ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಯ ಬೇರುಗಳು)
18.1 Root Mappings
Modern technical vocabulary inherits Greek and Latin combining forms that have no direct native Kannada equivalent. Bhat maps each to a native Kannada root:
| Neo-classical Root | Meaning | Kannada Equivalent | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
18.2 Suffix Mappings
| Neo-classical Suffix | Meaning | Kannada Equivalent | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -logy | study of | ಅರಿಮೆ | biology → ಉಸಿರಿಯರಿಮೆ |
| -scope | viewing device | ತೋರ್ಪುಕ | telescope → ಗೆಂಟುತೋರ್ಪುಕ |
| -meter | measuring device | ಅಳಕ | thermometer → ಬಿಸಿಯಳಕ |
| -cracy | rule by | ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆ | democracy → ಮಂದಿಯಾಳ್ವಿಕೆ |
| -naut | traveller/sailor | ಹಾಯ್ಗ | astronaut → ಬಾನಹಾಯ್ಗ |
| -graph | writing/recording | ಬರಹ | photograph → ಬೆಳಕುಬರಹ |
Parts 19–52 — Application: English Suffixes and Prefixes
(ಅನ್ವಯ — ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಶ್ ಒಟ್ಟುಗಳ ವಿಶ್ಲೇಷಣೆ)
Parts 19–28 — English Noun-Forming Suffixes
(ಹೆಸರುಪದ ಕಟ್ಟುವ ಹಿನ್ನೊಟ್ಟುಗಳು)
19.1 Agentive Suffixes: -er/-or, -ist, -eer, -ian
English agentive suffixes (-er/-or for verb-based agents; -ist, -eer, -ian for profession/ideology-based agents) map to the Kannada system as follows:
- -er/-or (verb → doer): Use -ಗ/-ಇಗ: writer → ಬರೆಗ, swimmer → ಈಜುಗ
- -ist (noun/ideology → practitioner): Use -ಗ/-ಇಗ or -ಅರಿಗ: cyclist → ಸೈಕಲ್ಲುಗ, linguist → ನುಡಿಯರಿಗ
- -eer (noun → practitioner/enthusiast): Use -ಗಾರ: engineer → ಕಟ್ಟುಗಾರ (one who builds)
- -ian (field → expert): Use -ಅರಿಗ: historian → ಇತಿಹಾಸಾರಿಗ
19.2 Abstract Quality Suffixes: -ness, -ity, -ism, -dom, -hood, -ship
All English suffixes that convert adjectives or nouns to abstract quality nouns have a single Kannada equivalent: -ತನ.
- happiness → ನಲಿವತನ (nalivu + tana)
- freedom → ಬಿಡುಗಡೆತನ (bidugade + tana)
- brotherhood → ಅಣ್ಣತಮ್ಮತನ (annatamma + tana)
- friendship → ಗೆಳೆತನ (gele + tana)
Exception: after -ಗಾರ or -ಆಟ nouns, use -ಇಕೆ instead: archery → ಬಿಲ್ಲುಗಾರಿಕೆ.
19.3 Action and Process Suffixes: -tion/-sion, -ment, -ance/-ence, -ure, -age
English suffixes that form action nouns from verbs (-tion, -ment, -ance, -ure) map to the Kannada abstract action suffixes:
- After -ಉ verbs: use -ಇಕೆ/-ಕೆ: collection → ಕೂಡಿಸಿಕೆ (kudisike), guidance → ಮಾರ್ಗದರ್ಶಿಕೆ
- After -ಎ/-ಇ verbs: use -ತ: treatment → ನಡೆತ (nadeta), closure → ಮುಚ್ಚಿತ
19.4 Result and Product Suffixes: -ure, -age (product)
When -ure or -age denotes a concrete product or result (not the process), use -ಗೆ/-ಇಗೆ:
- mixture → ಬೆರಕೆ (berake)
- passage → ಹಾದಿಗೆ (hadige)
Parts 29–36 — English Verb and Adjective Suffixes
(ಎಸಕಪದ ಮತ್ತು ಪರಿಚೆಪದ ಕಟ್ಟುವ ಹಿನ್ನೊಟ್ಟುಗಳು)
29.1 Verb-Forming Suffixes: -ize/-ise, -ify, -en
All English verb-forming suffixes (-ize, -ify, -en) that convert nouns or adjectives into verbs map to Kannada’s single productive verb suffix -ಇಸು:
- modernize → ಹೊಸಗಾಲದ್ದಿಸು
- simplify → ಸರಳಿಸು
- computerize → ಕಂಪ್ಯೂಟರಿಸು
29.2 Adjective-Forming Suffixes: -ful, -less, -ous, -ive, -ible/-able, -al, -ic
English adjective suffixes translate to Kannada participial or possessive forms:
| English Suffix | Meaning | Kannada Strategy | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -ful (having) | possessing X | possessive -ದ | joyful → ನಲಿವಿನ |
| -less (without) | lacking X | ಇಲ್ಲದ | joyless → ನಲಿವಿಲ್ಲದ |
| -ous/-ive (characterized by) | having character of X | possessive -ದ or -ಉವ | creative → ಕಟ್ಟುವ |
| -ible/-able (capable of) | can be X-ed | -ಆಗುವ or -ಬಲ್ಲ | readable → ಓದಬಲ್ಲ |
| -al/-ic (relating to) | of/relating to X | possessive -ದ | national → ನಾಡಿನ |
Parts 37–52 — English Prefixes
(ಇಂಗ್ಲಿಶ್ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟುಗಳ ವಿಶ್ಲೇಷಣೆ)
37.1 Quantity/Degree Prefixes: hyper-, mega-, micro-, mini-, super-
Applied analysis of degree prefixes from the framework (Part 8) to specific English vocabulary:
- hypermarket → ಮಿಗಿಲುಅಂಗಡಿ
- supercomputer → ಎಕ್ಕಗಣಕ
- microchip → ಕಿರುಚಿಪ್ಪು
- miniature → ಕಿರುರೂಪ
37.2 Spatial Prefixes: inter-, intra-, extra-, trans-, sub-, super-
Applied analysis of spatial prefixes from Part 9:
- international → ಒಡನಾಡಿನ
- intracellular → ಒಳಕೋಶದ
- extracurricular → ಹೊರಪಠ್ಯದ
- transcontinental → ಆಚೆಖಂಡದ
- submarine → ಒಳನೀರಿಗೆ
37.3 Temporal Prefixes: pre-, post-, re-, ex-, neo-, paleo-
Applied analysis of temporal prefixes from Part 10:
- prehistoric → ಮುನ್ನಡೆಯ
- postmodern → ಬಳಿಆಧುನಿಕ
- rewrite → ಮಾರ್ಬರೆ
- ex-president → ಮುನ್ನ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ
- neoclassical → ಹೊಸಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಯ
37.4 Negation Prefixes: dis-, un-, non-, anti-, de-, in-/im-/ir-/il-
Applied analysis of negation from Parts 11–12 to specific English prefix vocabulary:
- disorganize → ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆ ತಂತ್ರಿಸು
- unhappy → ನಲಿವಿಲ್ಲದ
- non-violent → ಹಿಂಸೆಯಿಲ್ಲದ
- antibiotic → ಎದುರಿಸೂಲಿಕ
- deforestation → ಕಾಡಳಿಸಿಕೆ
- impossible → ಆಗದ, invisible → ಕಾಣದ
Key Terms Glossary
| Kannada Term | Romanization | Meaning / Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| ಹೆಸರುಪದ | hesarupada | Noun |
| ಎಸಕಪದ | esakapada | Verb |
| ಪರಿಚೆಪದ | paricepada | Adjective / Adverb |
| ಕಟ್ಟುಪದ | kattupada | Suffix-derived word |
| ಜೋಡುಪದ | jodupada | Compound word |
| ಹಿನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | hinnnottu | Suffix |
| ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | munnottu | Prefix |
| ಅಳವಿಯ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | alaviya munnottu | Quantity/degree prefix group |
| ಇಂಬಿನ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | imbina munnottu | Spatial prefix group |
| ಹೊತ್ತಿನ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | hottina munnottu | Temporal prefix group |
| ಅಲ್ಲಗಳೆಯುವ ಮುನ್ನೊಟ್ಟು | allagaleyuva munnottu | Negation prefix group |
| ಅರಿಮೆ | arime | Knowledge/science (-logy) |
| ತೋರ್ಪುಕ | torpuka | Viewing device (-scope) |
| ಅಳಕ | alaka | Measuring device (-meter) |
| ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆ | aalvike | Rule/governance (-cracy) |
| ಗೆಂಟು | gentu | Far/distant (tele-) |
| ಮಿನ್ | min | Electric (electro-) |
| ಉಸಿರಿ | usiri | Life/bio- |
| ಬಾನ್ | ban | Sky/star (astro-) |
| ಇಲ್ಲದ | illada | Absent/lacking (un-, a-, non-) |
| ಅಲ್ಲದ | allada | Not being / other than (non-, a-) |
| ಎದುರಿ | eduri | Against (anti-) |
| ಮರು | maru | Re- (before consonants) |
| ಮಾರ್ | mar | Re- (before vowels) |
| ಮಿಗಿಲು | migilu | Hyper-/beyond |
| ಕೊರೆ | kore | Under-/insufficient |
| ಮೇಲ್ | mel | Over-/super- (spatial) |
| ಒಳ | ola | Sub-/inner |
| ಆಚೆ | ache | Trans-/across |
| ಮುನ್ | mun | Fore-/pre- |
| ಬಳಿ | bali | Post-/after |
| ಹೊಸ | hosa | Neo-/new |
| ಹಳೆ | hale | Paleo-/old |