09. Everyday Logistics & Services
While English is sufficient for navigating corporate spaces and modern hospitals in Bangalore, the city's vast network of delivery apps, service professionals, and housing logistics often operates primarily in Kannada (or Hindi).
This module covers the practical, street-level vocabulary needed to manage everyday logistics, interact with landlords, call for repairs, and navigate large campus environments.
The "Swalpa Adjust Maadi" Philosophy
Before diving into vocabulary, understand the cultural cornerstone of Bangalore: "Swalpa adjust maadi" ⟨SWAL-pah adjust MAA-dee⟩ (Please adjust/compromise a little). Whether you are asking an auto driver for 5 rupees change, negotiating with a plumber, or asking someone to budge on a crowded bus, this phrase diffuses tension and signals a cooperative attitude.
1. Delivery Logistics (Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon)
Delivery drivers frequently rely on landmarks rather than precise GPS pins.
| English | Kannada | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Come inside | Olagade banni ⟨OH-luh-guh-dey BUN-nee⟩ | Use for securely gated areas. |
| Stay outside | Horagade / Aache iri ⟨HOH-ruh-guh-dey / AAH-chey ee-REE⟩ | To instruct them to wait at the gate. |
| I have sent the location | Location kalsideeni ⟨location kul-see-DAY-nee⟩ | A vital phrase when they call to ask your exact address. |
| I have paid online | Online pay maadideeni ⟨online pay MAA-dee-DAY-nee⟩ | |
| Leave it at the gate | Gate hatra bidi ⟨gate HUH-trah BEE-dee⟩ | Using the imperative "bidi" (leave/drop). |
| I am coming right now | Naanu eegale bartheeni ⟨NAA-noo EE-gah-ley bar-THEE-nee⟩ | Adding "-le" emphasizes "right now/immediately." |
2. Housing & Renting
Managing a household requires coordination with landlords, security guards, and maids.
| English | Kannada | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| House / Room | Mane / Kone ⟨MUH-ney / KOH-ney⟩ | |
| Rent | Baadige ⟨BAA-dee-gey⟩ | Critical for lease discussions (Baadige eshtu? - How much is the rent?). |
| Water | Neeru ⟨NEE-roo⟩ | Confirm utility availability (Neeru ideya? ⟨NEE-roo ee-DAY-yah⟩ - Is there water?). |
| Electricity / Power | Current | Very common "Kanglish" usage (Current horgide ⟨current HOR-gee-dey⟩ - Power is out). |
| Trash | Kasa ⟨KUH-sah⟩ | Directing waste disposal (Kasa haaki ⟨KUH-sah HAA-kee⟩ - Throw the trash). |
| Sweep the floor | Kasa gudisu ⟨KUH-sah goo-DEE-soo⟩ | |
| Mop/Wipe the floor | Nela oresu ⟨NAY-lah oh-RAY-soo⟩ |
3. Repairs & Maintenance
Explaining an issue to a tradesman (plumber, electrician) is often difficult without basic Kannada terminology.
| English | Kannada | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Broken / Not working | Kettogide / Kelsa maadthilla ⟨KET-toh-gee-dey / KEL-sah MAAD-till-lah⟩ | "Kelsa maadthilla" literally means "not doing work". |
| Pipe is leaking | Pipe leak aagtide ⟨pipe leak AAG-tee-dey⟩ | Using the English noun with the Kannada continuous verb suffix. |
| Come tomorrow morning | Naale beligge banni ⟨NAA-ley BAY-lig-gey BUN-nee⟩ | Setting a service appointment. |
| Do it properly | Sariyagi maadi ⟨SUH-ree-YAA-gee MAA-dee⟩ | A polite request for high-quality work. |
| How much will you charge? | Eshtu aaguthe? ⟨ESH-too AAH-goo-they⟩ | Literally "How much will it become?". |
| Reduce it a little | Swalpa kami maadi ⟨SWAL-pah KUH-mee MAA-dee⟩ | Standard negotiation phrase. |
4. Office Campus & Commuting
Navigating a massive tech park involves short, functional interactions with security and transport staff.
| English | Kannada | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Go straight, then left | Nera hogi, aamele eda ⟨NAY-rah HOH-gee, AAH-may-ley AY-dah⟩ | Standard directional instructions. |
| Stop here | Illi nillisi ⟨ILL-lee NIL-lee-see⟩ | |
| I work here | Naanu illi kelsa maadtheeni ⟨NAA-noo ILL-lee KEL-sah MAAD-thee-nee⟩ | Explaining your presence to a new security guard. |
| ID Card | ID Card | Universally understood in Kanglish (e.g., ID Card ide ⟨ee-DAY⟩ - I have the ID card). |
| Do you have time? (Are you free?) | Time ideya? ⟨time ee-DAY-yah⟩ | A polite way to interrupt a colleague or ask a shuttle driver if they are ready to depart. |