Common Odia Greetings and Phrases

Learning a few words in Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ) can help you connect with over 50 million speakers of this classical language. Here are essential greetings and phrases to get you started.

Basic Greetings

Meeting Someone

• ✦What is your name? — ଆପଣଙ୍କ ନାମ କ'ଣ? (Aapananka naama kana?)
• ✦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 — ନାଁ (Naan)
• ✦Good morning — ଶୁଭ ସକାଳ (Shubha sakaal)
• ✦Good night — ଶୁଭ ରାତ୍ରି (Shubha raatri)
• ✦Goodbye — ଆସନ୍ତୁ (Aasantu) or ଯାଆନ୍ତୁ (Jaantu)

At a Restaurant

When enjoying Odia cuisine:

• ✦The food is delicious — ଖାଦ୍ୟ ବହୁତ ସ୍ୱାଦିଷ୍ଟ (Khaadya bahut swadishta)
• ✦I'm hungry — ମୋର ଭୋକ ଲାଗିଛି (Mora 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 paye)
• ✦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 developed because writing was traditionally done on palm leaves — sharp angles would tear the leaves!

The Odia script is one of the most beautiful writing systems in India.

Here's the Odia alphabet in order: 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

1. ✦Start with sounds — Odia has some unique sounds not found in English
2. ✦Practice the script — The beautiful curves are easier than they look
3. ✦Listen to music — Odia songs are a great way to learn pronunciation
4. ✦Watch Odia films — Ollywood movies help with conversation flow

Continue learning: Odia Language Overview • Odia Culture