Learning a few words in Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ) can help you connect with more than 37 million people who reported Odia as their mother tongue in the 2011 Census. Odia was declared a classical language of India in 2014. Here are essential greetings and phrases to get you started.
Basic Greetings
| English | Odia | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello/Namaste | ନମସ୍କାର | Namaskaar |
| How are you? | ଆପଣ କେମିତି ଅଛନ୍ତି? | Aapana kemiti achhanti? |
| I'm fine | ମୁଁ ଭଲ ଅଛି | Mun bhala achhi |
| Thank you | ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ | Dhanyabaad |
| Please | ଦୟାକରି | Dayakari |
| Sorry | କ୍ଷମା କରନ୍ତୁ | Kshama karantu |
Meeting Someone
- What is your name? — ଆପଣଙ୍କ ନାମ କ'ଣ? (Aapananka naama ka'na?)
- My name is... — ମୋ ନାମ... (Mo naama...)
- Nice to meet you — ଆପଣଙ୍କୁ ଭେଟି ଖୁସି ହେଲି (Aapananku bheti khusi heli)
- Where are you from? — ଆପଣ କେଉଁଠାରୁ? (Aapana keunthaaru?)
Everyday Phrases
- Yes — ହଁ (Haan)
- No — ନା (Naa)
- Good morning — ଶୁଭ ସକାଳ (Shubha sakaal)
- Good night — ଶୁଭ ରାତ୍ରି (Shubha raatri)
- Goodbye — ଆସୁଛି (Aasuchhi, said by the person leaving; literally "I am coming") or ଆସନ୍ତୁ (Aasantu, said to a guest who is leaving)
At a Restaurant
When enjoying Odia cuisine:
- The food is delicious — ଖାଦ୍ୟ ବହୁତ ସ୍ୱାଦିଷ୍ଟ (Khaadya bahuta swaadishta)
- I'm hungry — ମୋତେ ଭୋକ ଲାଗିଛି (Mote bhoka laagichhi)
- Water, please — ପାଣି ଦିଅ (Paani dia)
- The bill, please — ବିଲ ଦିଅ (Bill dia)
Expressions of Emotion
- I love you — ମୁଁ ତୁମକୁ ଭଲ ପାଏ (Mun tumaku bhala paae)
- I'm happy — ମୁଁ ଖୁସି (Mun khusi)
- Welcome — ସ୍ୱାଗତ (Swagata)
- Congratulations — ଅଭିନନ୍ଦନ (Abhinandana)
The Odia Script
Odia has a beautiful curvilinear script that evolved from the Brahmi script. Its rounded letters are usually explained by the tradition of writing with an iron stylus on palm leaves, where long straight horizontal strokes could split the leaf.
Here are the main Odia consonants in traditional order (the full alphabet also includes vowels and letters such as କ୍ଷ, ଡ଼, ଢ଼, ୟ and ୱ): କ ଖ ଗ ଘ ଙ ଚ ଛ ଜ ଝ ଞ ଟ ଠ ଡ ଢ ଣ ତ ଥ ଦ ଧ ନ ପ ଫ ବ ଭ ମ ଯ ର ଲ ଳ ଵ ଶ ଷ ସ ହ
Tips for Learners
- Start with sounds — Odia has some unique sounds not found in English
- Practice the script — The beautiful curves are easier than they look
- Listen to music — Odia songs are a great way to learn pronunciation
- Watch Odia films — Ollywood movies help with conversation flow
Continue learning: Odia Language Overview • Odia Culture
