Introduction

Some fundamental Odia phrases are more valuable than others.

Why not concentrate on mastering these words first? We chose to write this post for you specifically for that reason.

The essential Odia phrases covered in this post will help you communicate better if you’re just beginning to learn Odia or are already fluent.

If you’re soon traveling to an Odia-speaking place, these will be especially useful to you.

Basic Odia Words and Sentences That You Must Know

The following are the basic Odia words and sentences that you must know:

1. Hello.

Namaskar (Nah-MAH-skar)

To greet someone or in place of hello you can use this phrase.

2. How are you? (formal)

Kemiti achanti? (Kay-mee-tee achhanti)

If you formally want to ask someone if he or she is fine use this phrase

3. How are you? (informal)

Kemiti acha? (Kay-mee-tee achha)

If you informally want to ask someone if he or she is fine use this phrase

4. Fine, thank you.

(as an answer to ‘How are you?’) Mu bhala achi, dhanyabad. (Moo bhalah achhi, dhah-nyah-bahd)

Use this phrase to tell someone that you are fine.

5. What is your name? (formal)

Apanankara nama kana? (Apanankara namah kana)

To ask someone’s name formally use this phrase.

6. What is your name? (informal)

Tumara nama kana? (Tumara namah kana?)

To ask someone’s name informally use this phrase.

7. My name is ______ .

Mora nama _____ (MOH-rah namah)

To tell someone your name use this phrase.

8.Nice to meet you.

Tumaku bheti bhala lagila (Tu-makoo bheh-tee bhah-lah lagee-lah)

To tell someone you are pleased by meeting someone use this phrase.

9. Please.

Dayakari (Daya-karee)

10. Thank you.

Dhanyabad (Dhanya-ba-dah)

To thanks someone use this phrase.

11. Excuse me. (getting attention)

Khyama karantu (Khya-mah karan-tooh)

12. Excuse me. (begging pardon)/I’m sorry.

Mote khyama karantu (Mot-eh khya-mah karan-tooh) (Or you can use the English phrase, ‘Sorry’)

13. I can’t speak Odia [well].

.(mu bhala odia kahipare nahi)

To tell someone you don’t know odia use this phrase.

14. Do you speak English?

? ( tume ingrazi kahipara?)

To ask someone if he/ she speaks English use this phrase.

15. Is there someone here who speaks English?

? ( ethare kehi ingrazi kahi paranti ki?)

16. I don’t understand.

( mun bujhi paruni)

Use this phrase to tell that you are unable to understand something.

17. Where is the toilet?

? (bathroom kauthi ?)

To ask about washroom use this phrase.

Basic Odia words that you should know:

• I — Mu
• He — Sey
• She — Sey
• You — Tome
• Wife — Sthri
• Elder sister — Nani
• They — Semane
• It — Eha
• This — Eha
• That — Taha
• Help! — tike sahajya karibe ki?
• Look out! — dekha!
• Yes — Ha (hā̃)
• No — Na (nā̃)
• Hello — Namaskar
• How are you? — Kemiti accho
• I am fine — Mu bhalare acchi
• Relationships
• Father — Bapa
• Mothe — Ma
• Husband — Swami
• Younger Sister — Choto bhauni
• Elder Brother — Dada
• Younger Brother — Choto bhai

Conclusion

We hope these foundational words and phrases will improve your ability to speak Odia confidently.

The first few times won’t be simple, so practice is the only and best option.

And always remember to prioritize the most important terms first rather than attempting to memorize all the phrases we shared with you today.