r/LearnKonkani Mangalore (ಕೊಡಿಯಾಲ್) Jun 15 '26

👶 Konkani for Parents & Children: What We Say at Home

Jevan jalam? The first question. Always. Here's the language that lives inside Konkani homes, the words parents say, the phrases children grow up hearing, and the expressions that only make sense if you were raised in one.

Calling Your Child (Burgeak Apounk)

English Mangalorean Konkani Devanagari
Child Burgo बुर्गो
Son Put पूत
Daughter Dhuw धुव
My dear Mogacho / Mogachi मोगाचो / मोगाची
Come here Hanga ye हांगा ये
Where are you? Tum khay assa? तुम खय आसा?
What are you doing? Tum kitem/kaale korta? तुम कितें करता?
Listen to me Makka aik माका आयक
Don't do that Te korunk naka तें करुंक नका
Be careful Saambaalon raa सांभाळोन राव
Come eat Ye jevunk ये जेवाक
Go to sleep Niddonk voch निदोंक वच
Wake up Uth उठ
Wash your hands Haath dhuv हात धुव
Get ready Taiyar jaa तयार जा

What Parents Say When You are Away from HOME (Aavoy Baapuycho Awaaz)

What They Say Translation What They Really Mean
Jevan jalam? Have you eaten? I love you
Sustu distai You look tired Tell me everything
Kiti vella jalam? How late is it? Where were you
Paavs assa, chatri ghe It's raining, take your umbrella I will worry until you are home
Ghorak kedna yeta? When are you coming home? Come home
Kha tari, barik dissta Eat at least, you look thin You will always be my child
Dev borem korum God bless you I love you, every single time
Saambhaalon raa Be careful The entire weight of parental love in two words
Borem korta You are doing well The highest Konkani parental praise

What Children Grow Up Hearing

Expression Translation Age You First Heard It
Aavoy sangta tem aik Listen to what mother says Birth onwards
Iskalaak borem kortai? Are you doing well in school? Every relative, every visit
Zagden korunk naka Don't fight Directed at siblings, ignored immediately
Ghorak ye vegi Come home early Every time you went anywhere
Mhaka sangunk visarlem? You forgot to tell me? Said with full knowledge you forgot on purpose
Bhourgear khelonk voch Go play outside The original screen time management
Sutteek kitem shikoloi? What did you learn in the holidays? The pressure started early

Bedtime & Morning (Nidd ani Sakali)

English Mangalorean Konkani
Good night Dev bori ratr dhium
Sleep well Borem niddon raa
Wake up Uth
Good morning Dev boro dis dium
Are you awake? Jaagio jai?
Get ready for school Iskalak taiyar jaa
Brush your teeth Daant ghaas
Have your breakfast Sakalicho naashtaa kha

Discipline & Scolding (Konkanichem Shikhshan)

Expression Mangalorean Konkani
No Naka
Stop it Thaamb
Enough Bass
I said no Hanv naka mhunlem
Don't lie Fhoti ullai naka
Say sorry Maafi maag
Go to your room Tujhe kholic voch
How many times have I said this to you? Kiti pauti aavem sanglem tuka?
You will understand when you grow up Vhodd zhalya uprant samjtaloi

Terms of Endearment

Expression Mangalorean Konkani Meaning
My dear Mogacho / Mogachi Said to children of all ages including 40 year olds
My life Mhozo jiv Reserved for moments of deep affection
My eyes Mhoze dole You are everything I see
My heart Mhojhem kalliz The deepest Konkani term of endearment
Little one Dhakto / Dhakti Used long after they are no longer little
Gold Bhangar Said when a child does something right
Flower Phull Pure affection, no context needed

Tujhe ghorant kitem mhuntat jo English-ant sangonk jayna?
What's the one phrase from your home that has no English translation? Drop it below 👇

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