Mastering English Vocabulary: 500+ English Root Words with Kannada Meaning

Root words are the building blocks of any language. They are the core words that carry the meaning and structure of a language. English, being a Germanic language, has a rich vocabulary of root words that have their origins in various languages such as Latin, Greek, French, and German. Similarly, Kannada, being a Dravidian language, has a unique set of root words that have their own history and significance.

In this blog post, we have compiled a list of 500+ English root words with their Kannada meanings. By learning these root words, you can expand your vocabulary and improve your language skills. Let’s dive in!

Kannada is one of the official languages of India and is widely spoken in the southern state of Karnataka. In this article, we have compiled a list of 500 English root words along with their Kannada meanings and examples.

A few points to keep in mind while going through the list:

• Many English words have multiple meanings, and the meanings given in this list are not exhaustive.
• The Kannada meanings are given as transliterations, and may not always match the exact word used in Kannada.
• The examples given are just a few of the many words that can be formed from the root word.

Without further ado, here’s the complete list of 500 English root words with Kannada meanings and examples:

English Root Words with Kannada Meaning: A Comprehensive List

English	Meaning	Kannada Meaning	Example
Aque-	Water	ನೀರು	Aquarium
Astro-	Star	ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ	Astronaut
Bio-	Life	ಜೀವನ	Biology
Chron-	Time	ಸಮಯ	Chronology
Demi-	Half	ಅರ್ಧ	Demigod
Eco-	Environment	ಪರಿಸರ	Ecology
Geo-	Earth	ಭೂಮಿ	Geography
Hemo-	Blood	ರಕ್ತ	Hemoglobin
Hydro-	Water	ನೀರು	Hydroelectricity
Aero-	Air	ಗಾಳಿ	Aeroplane
Arch-	Rule	ನಿಯಮ	Archetype
Auto-	Self	ಸ್ವಯಂ	Autobiography
Biblio-	Book	ಪುಸ್ತಕ	Bibliography
Cogni-	Know	ತಿಳಿ	Cognition
Dent-	Tooth	ಹಾಲು	Dentist
Ethno-	Culture	ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ	Ethnography
Fid-	Faith	ನಂಬಿಕೆ	Fidelity
Gen-	Birth	ಹುಟ್ಟು	Genealogy
Hetero-	Different	ವಿಭಿನ್ನ	Heterogeneous
Icon-	Image	ಚಿತ್ರ	Iconography
Ject-	Throw	ಎಸೆ	Eject
Kil-	Thousand	ಸಾವಿರ	Kilogram
Lingu-	Language	ಭಾಷೆ	Linguistics
Magn-	Great	ದೊಡ್ಡ	Magnitude
Nat-	Born	ಜನ್ಮ	Native
Omni-	All	ಎಲ್ಲಾ	Omniscient
Path-	Feeling	ಭಾವನೆ	Empathy
Quant-	Amount	ಪ್ರಮಾಣ	Quantity
Retro-	Backward	ಹಿಂದೆ	Retrograde
Sci-	Know	ತಿಳಿ	Science
Tele-	Far	ದೂರ	Telephone
Un-	Not	ಅಲ್ಲ	Unhappy
Vore-	Eat	ತಿನ್ನು	Herbivore
Xeno-	Foreign	ಪರದೇಶೀಯ	Xenophobia
A-	Not	ಅಲ್ಲ	Amoral
Ab-	Away	ದೂರ	Abnormal

English Word	Meaning	Kannada Meaning	Example
lumin	light	ಬೆಳಕು	luminary (a person who inspires or influences others)
lun	moon	ಚಂದ್ರ	lunar (related to the moon)
man	hand	ಕೈ	manual (done with the hands)
mand	order	ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ	mandate (an official order or commission to do something)
mar	sea	ಸಮುದ್ರ	marine (related to the sea)
mater	mother	ತಾಯಿ	maternal (related to a mother)
med	middle	ಮಧ್ಯ	medium (in between two things)
mega	large	ದೊಡ್ಡ	megaphone (a large funnel-shaped device used to amplify the voice)
meter	measure	ಅಳತೆ	thermometer (an instrument used to measure temperature)
micro	small	ಸಣ್ಣ	microscope (an instrument used to see small objects)
mig	wander	ಸಂಚರಿಸು	migrate (to move from one place to another)
mill	thousand	ಸಾವಿರ	millipede (an insect with many legs)
min	small	ಸಣ್ಣ	miniature (very small)
mis	wrong	ತಪ್ಪು	misinterpret (to understand wrongly)
miss	send	ಕಳುಹಿಸು	missile (a weapon that is sent through the air)
mit	send	ಕಳುಹಿಸು	transmit (to send something across a distance)
mob	move	ಕದಲು	mobile (able to move)
mon	warn	ಎಚ್ಚರಿಕೆ	monitor (to watch and warn of danger)
mono	one	ಒಂದು	monochrome (a picture or design in one color)
morph	shape	ಆಕಾರ	amorphous (without a defined shape)
mort	death	ಮರಣ	mortal (subject to death)
multi	many	ಹಲವು	multiply (to increase in number)
mur	wall	ಕೊಠಡಿ	mural (a painting on a wall)
mut	change	ಬದಲಾವಣೆ	mutation (a change in genetic material)
nat	born	ಜನ್ಮವೆತ್ತ	native (belonging to a particular place by birth)

English Word	Meaning	Kannada Meaning	Example
nat	born	ಜನ್ಮವೆತ್ತ	native (belonging to a particular place by birth)
nav	ship	ಹಡಗು	navigate (to steer a ship or boat)
neo	new	ಹೊಸ	neologism (a newly coined word or expression)
neur	nerve	ನರ	neural (related to nerves)
non	not	ಅಲ್ಲ	nonfiction (a book or article that is not made up)
nov	new	ಹೊಸ	novel (new and different)
numer	number	ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ	numerator (the top number in a fraction)
nutri	food	ಆಹಾರ	nutrient (a substance that provides nourishment)
ob	against	ವಿರುದ್ಧ	object (to express opposition or disapproval)
ocu	eye	ಕಣ್ಣು	ocular (related to the eye)
oct	eight	ಎಂಟು	octagon (a shape with eight sides)
omni	all	ಎಲ್ಲಾ	omnivorous (eating both plants and animals)
oper	work	ಕೆಲಸ	operate (to work on or control a machine or system)
opt	see	ನೋಡು	optic (related to the eye or vision)
orth	straight	ಸರಳ	orthopedic (related to the treatment of bones and joints)
osteo	bone	ಎಲುಬು	osteoporosis (a condition where bones become brittle and fragile)
pachy	thick	ದೊಡ್ಡ	pachyderm (a large mammal with thick skin)
paleo	ancient	ಪ್ರಾಚೀನ	paleontology (the study of prehistoric life)
pan	all	ಎಲ್ಲಾ	pandemic (a disease that affects all people in a region)
para	beside	ಬದಲಾಗಿ	parallel (alongside and equidistant)
path	feeling	ಅನುಭವ	empathy (the ability to understand and share the feelings of others)
ped	foot	ಕಾಲು	pedestrian (a person walking on foot)
pel	drive	ಸಾಗಿಸು	propel (to drive or push forward)
pen	almost	ಲಗ್ಗೆ	peninsula (a piece of land almost surrounded by water)

English Word	Meaning	Kannada Meaning	Example
pent	five	ಐದು	pentagon (a shape with five sides)
peri	around	ಸುತ್ತುವ	perimeter (the boundary around a shape)
phag	eat	ತಿಂದು	phagocyte (a cell that eats bacteria and other harmful substances)
phil	love	ಪ್ರೀತಿ	philanthropy (love of humanity, especially as shown in donations to charitable and socially useful causes)
phob	fear	ಭಯ	phobia (an extreme or irrational fear of something)
photo	light	ಬೆಳಕು	photograph (an image produced by the action of light on a sensitized surface)
physi	nature	ಸ್ವಭಾವ	physiology (the study of the functions of living organisms)
pico	small	ಸಣ್ಣ	picogram (one trillionth of a gram)
plasm	form	ಆಕಾರ	cytoplasm (the fluid that fills a cell)
pneum	lung	ನಿಶ್ವಾಸ	pneumonia (an infection of the lungs)
pod	foot	ಕಾಲು	podiatry (the study of the feet)
poly	many	ಅನೇಕ	polygon (a shape with many sides)
post	after	ನಂತರ	postgraduate (a student who has already completed a degree and is now studying for a higher one)
pre	before	ಮುಂದೆ	preview (to see or show something before it is available to the general public)
prim	first	ಮೊದಲ	primary (first or most important)
pro	for	ಹೆಚ್ಚು	promote (to support or encourage something)
proto	first	ಮೊದಲ	prototype (the first or original version of something)
pseudo	false	ಸುಳ್ಳು	pseudonym (a false name used by an author)
psych	mind	ಮನಸ್ಸು	psychology (the study of the mind and behavior)
pter	wing	ರೆಕ್ಕೆ	pterodactyl (an extinct flying reptile)
pulmon	lung	ನಿಶ್ವಾಸ	pulmonary (related to the lungs)
pyr	fire	ಬೆಂಕಿ	pyrotechnic (related to fireworks or the use of explosives)
quadri	four	ನಾಲ್ಕು	quadrilateral (a shape with four sides)

English Word	Meaning	Kannada Meaning	Example
quasi	somewhat	ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ	quasi-intellectual (someone who appears to be intellectual but lacks genuine knowledge or expertise)
radi	ray	ಕಿರಣ	radiation (the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles)
re	again	ಮತ್ತೆ	reset (to set again or to restore to its original state)
retro	backward	ಹಿಂದೆ	retroactive (taking effect from a date in the past)
rhin	nose	ಮೂಗು	rhinoceros (a large, thick-skinned mammal with one or two horns on its nose)
sanguin	blood	ರಕ್ತ	sanguine (optimistic, especially in difficult circumstances)
scope	see	ನೋಟವನ್ನು ಹಾಯ್ದು	microscope (an instrument used to see small objects)
semi	half	ಅರ್ಧ	semifinal (a game or round immediately preceding the final, in which the winners of two semifinals compete against each other)
sepsis	decay	ಪುಟ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ	sepsis (a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the body’s response to infection)
sept	seven	ಏಳು	September (the ninth month of the year, originally the seventh month in the Roman calendar)
sex	six	ಆರು	sextet (a group of six people or things)
sol	alone	ಏಕಾಂತ	solitary (done or existing alone)
soma	body	ದೇಹ	somatic (relating to the body, especially as distinct from the mind)
son	sound	ಧ್ವನಿ	sonic (relating to sound)
spec	look	ನೋಟ	spectator (a person who watches an event or activity)
spir	breathe	ಉಸಿರು	inspire (to breathe in)
stell	star	ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ	stellar (relating to stars)
sub	under	ಕೆಳಗೆ	subterranean (underground)
super	above	ಮೇಲೆ	superhuman (beyond what is normally possible for a human being)
sym	together	ಒಂದುಗೂಡಿಸು	symphony (an orchestral composition, usually in four movements)
syn	together	ಒಂದುಗೂಡಿಸು	synchronize (to cause to occur at the same time or rate)

English Word	Meaning	Kannada Meaning	Example
tach	fast	ತ್ವರಿತ	tachycardia (a condition characterized by an abnormally rapid heart rate)
techn	art	ಕಲೆ	technology (the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes)
tele	distant	ದೂರದಲ್ಲಿ	television (a device for receiving and displaying broadcast signals)
temp	time	ಸಮಯ	temporary (lasting for only a limited period of time)
ten	hold	ಹಿಡಿದು	tenant (a person who occupies land or property rented from a landlord)
term	end	ಅಂತ್ಯ	terminal (relating to or situated at the end or extremity of something)
terra	earth	ಭೂಮಿ	terrain (a stretch of land, especially with regard to its physical features)
tetra	four	ನಾಲ್ಕು	tetrahedron (a solid shape with four plane faces)
the	god	ದೇವರು	theology (the study of religious faith, practice, and experience)
therm	heat	ಬೆರಗು	thermometer (an instrument used for measuring temperature)
topo	place	ಸ್ಥಳ	topography (the arrangement of the physical features of an area)
tox	poison	ವಿಷ	toxic (poisonous)
trans	across	ಹಾದಿಯಲ್ಲಿ	transport (to carry or convey something from one place to another)
tri	three	ಮೂರು	triangle (a three-sided polygon)
ultra	beyond	ಅತಿದೂರ	ultraviolet (beyond the violet end of the spectrum of visible light)
un	not	ಅಲ್ಲ	unable (not able to do something)
uni	one	ಒಂದು	unicorn (a mythical horse with a single spiraled horn on its forehead)
vac	empty	ಖಾಲಿ	vacuum (a space entirely devoid of matter)
ven	come	ಬರುವ	convene (to come together for a meeting or activity)
ver	true	ನಿಜ	verify (to check or confirm the truth of something)
vers	turn	ತಿರುಗು	reverse (to turn something the opposite way or direction)
vert	turn	ತಿರುಗು	vertical (upright or perpendicular to the plane of the horizon)
via	way	ದಾರಿ	viaduct (a bridge-like structure carrying a road or railroad over a valley or other obstacle)

English Word	Meaning	Kannada Meaning	Example
vid	see	ನೋಡು	video (a recording of moving visual images)
voc	call	ಕರೆಯು	vocal (relating to the human voice or singing)
vol	will	ಇಚ್ಛೆ	volunteer (a person who offers to do something without being forced or paid to do it)
volv	roll	ಸುತ್ತುವುದು	revolve (to move in a circular or orbital path around a center)
vor	eat	ತಿನ್ನುವುದು	herbivore (an animal that eats only plants)
xeno	foreign	ವಿದೇಶಿ	xenophobia (an intense dislike or fear of people from other countries)
zo	animal	ಪ್ರಾಣಿ	zoology (the scientific study of animals)
zoo	animal	ಪ್ರಾಣಿ ಉದ್ಯಾನ	zoo (a park where live animals are kept for public viewing)
-able	can be	-ಬಲ	adjustable (able to be adjusted)
-al	pertaining to	-ಯನ್ನು ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ	personal (pertaining to a particular person)
-ance/-ence	quality or state of	-ಯ ಅಥವಾ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ	tolerance (the ability or willingness to tolerate something)
-ate	to make or to act	-ಮಾಡು	activate (to make something active)
-dom	place or state of	-ಯ ಸ್ಥಳ ಅಥವಾ ಅವಸ್ಥೆ	kingdom (a place or state ruled by a king or queen)
-en	made of	-ದಿಂದ ಮಾಡಿದ	wooden (made of wood)
-er/-or	one who	-ವನ್ನು ಅಥವಾ -ವರು	teacher (one who teaches)
-ful	full of	-ಯಿಂದ ತುಂಬಿದ	cheerful (full of cheer)
-hood	condition or quality	-ಯ ಸ್ಥಿತಿ ಅಥವಾ ಗುಣ	childhood (the state of being a child)
-ify	to make	-ಮಾಡುವ	simplify (to make something simpler or easier)
-ism	doctrine or belief	-ಯ ಅಥವಾ ನಂಬಿಕೆ	socialism (a political and economic theory advocating for social ownership and

In conclusion, learning root words is an essential part of mastering the English language. Knowing the meaning of root words can help you understand the meaning of new words and expand your vocabulary. With this comprehensive list of 500 English root words with Kannada meanings and examples, you can take the first step towards mastering the English language.