Malayalam belongs to the Dravidian language family, and is mostly spoken in Southern India in the states of Kerala and Lakshadweep . Around 36 million people uses this language, which is one of the 22 official languages of India.
[edit ] Pronunciation guide I have received
[edit ] Common [edit ] Phrase list [edit ] Basics The basic difference in structure of sentences is that in English the pattern is Subject-Verb-Object, but it, in Malayalam, is Subject-Object-Verb
Hello. (നമസ്കാരം) namaskaram. (very formal, so the below informal form is common)
Hello. (informal ) Aay or "a'ye", You can use English "Hello" or "Hi".
How are you? (സുഖമാണോ?) sukhamaano? (Literal meaning: Are you fine/comfortable?) I am not fine Enikku sukham illa
Yes, thank you. (ശരി / അതെ, നന്ദി) Ssherri/Athe, Nanni.
I am fine. (എനിക്ക് സുഖമാണ് )Enikku sukhamaanu.
What is your name? (നിങ്ങളുടെ പേരെന്താണ്?) Ningalude peru enthaanu? / Peru entha? / Pay-ray-ntha? / Thangalude peru enthaanu? (with respect)
My name is ______ . Ente peru ______ .
Nice to meet you. Kandathil santhosham. Please. Dayavu cheythu / Dayavayi, or use English word "Please"
Thank you. Nanni (pronounced: nan-ní), or use English word "Thank you" or "Thanks"
Thank you very much orupadu nanni or Valare upakaram, or you can say in English, or repeat "Thank you" two times.
You're welcome(greeting). (formal) Swaagatham; (informal) varu varu / varanam varanam.
Yes. Athey/ Ssherri (Literal Meaning: Correct)
No. Illa
Not Alla
Excuse me. (getting attention ) sradhikyu / kshamikkanam onningottu nokkoo / or in English "Excuse me".
Excuse me. (begging pardon ) Kshamikkoo or in English "Sorry" / "I am sorry".
I'm sorry. Ennodu Kshamichaalum. (say this if it was your fault)
I'm sorry. Kashttamayi Pooyi / Kashttamundu (when you listen to bad news)
Don't mind Saaramilla, (say this if you are comforting sombody)
Goodbye Pinneedu kaananam (Vida) / Pinne kaanam / Veendum kaanaam (Literal meaning: I will see you again later), Goodbye (informal ) see above."
I can't speak Malayalam. Enikku 'Malayalam' samsaarikkan ariyilla / Malayalam ariyilla.
Do you speak English? Ningal English Samsaarikkumo ? / English ariyumo?
Is there someone here who speaks English? Ivide English samsaarikkan ariyunnavar aarenkilum undo ? / English ariyunnavar aarenkilum undo?
Help! Sahaayikkoo!
Help (Save) Rakshikoo
Look out! Nokkoo! / Sradhikku !
Good morning. Suprabhaatham (way formal), say in English "Good morning".
Good evening. Shubha Saayaahnam (not used), say in English "Good evening".
Good night (to sleep ) Subha Raathiri (not used), say in English "Good night" / "Good night, sweet dreams".
I did not understand. Kshamikkanam Enikku manassilaayilla / manassilaayilla
I like sweets Eniku mittaay ishtamaanu Flower Poovu
Elephant Aana
Dog Naaya/Patti
Cat Poocha(POO in poor)
Spicy (hot) Erivu('E' is pronounced as the first English alphabet'A')
Spicy food Erivulla bhakshanam
Where are you going? Ningal evideya pokunnathu?
Where is the toilet? Kakkoos Evideyaanu? (Kakkoos means toilet)
Where is the Bathroom? Kulimuri Evideyaanu? (Kuli = bath, muri = room)
Get lost Dayavu cheythu Maari Pooku (polite / as a request), Maari Pooku (less polite / an an order), Podaa (very impolite)
Wake up Eneekku (slang)(the first 'e' pronounced as 'A' in English) / Ezhunelku (informal)/ Dayavu cheythu Ezhunelku (as a request)
Do you like me? Enne ishtamaano?
I love you enniku ninne ishtam annu / enniku ninne ishtamaayi (I like you); I love you (as a lover): Njan ninne premikkunnu ( Njan means 'I'); I hate you : Enikku ninne ishtam alla. OR Njan ninne verukkunnu. OR enniku ninne verripu annu
Can you show me the way? Enikku vazhi kaanichu tharaamo? ( vazhi means 'way')
How old are you? Ningalkethra vayassayi?
I am hungry Enikku vishakunnu
Where can I get some water? Enikku alpam vellam evide kittum? (alpam corresponds to some, little etc) OR kurachu vellam tharumo? (literal: Can you give me a little water?)
Hospital Aashupathri
Can we go for a movie? Namukku oru cinemekku pokaamo?
Girl is looking good Penkutty Kaanaan Kollaam / Pennu Adi poli (informal)
What is the matter? Entha karyam?
I forgot Njan Marannu
I don't know Enikku ariyilla (r as in Rough)
Later Pinneedu/Pinne
After Kazhinjittu/shesham
Before Mumbu /Munpu
Please Wait Onnu Nilku
One question Oru chodhyam
Days
Monday: Thingal-aazhcha (can be pronounced as Thingle Aazhcha)
Tuesday: Chovva-aazhcha
Wednesday: Budhana-aazhcha
Thursday: Vyaazha-aazhcha / alternate spelling Vyaara-azhcha (r as in rha)
Friday: Velli-aazhcha
Saturday: Shani-aazhcha
Sunday: Njaayar-aazhcha
letters "zh" sounds like "r" in "purse", or like a mixture of "r", "ya", "la"
[edit ] Problems Leave me alone. Enne veruthe vidoo.
Don't touch me! Enne thodaruthu.
I'll call the police. Njaan policine vilikkum.
Police! Police! (Police )
Stop! Thief! Nilku! Kallan!
I need your help. Enikku ningalude sahaayam venam.
It's an emergency. Ithu athhyaavashyamaanu
I'm lost. Enikku vazhithetti.
I lost my bag. Ente sanchi nashtappettu.
I lost my wallet. Ente purse nashtappettu.
I'm sick. Enikku sukhamilla.
I've been injured. Enikku murivu patti.
I need a doctor. Enikku doctorude sahaayam venam.
Can I use your phone? Njaan ningalude phone upayogichotte.
Can you give me your phone number? Enikku ningalude phone number tharamo?
I'll kill you Njan ninne kollum
Why are you fighting with me? Ningal enthina ennodu vazhakkidunnathu?
Don't you understand what I am saying? Ningalkku njan paranjathu manasilakunnille?
Tie him up Avane kettiyidu. (Avane means 'Him')
Tie her up Avale kettiyidu (Avale means 'Her')
[edit ] Numbers 1 one (onnu )
2 two (randu)
3 three (moonnu MOO in moon )
4 four (naalu )
5 five (anchu )
6 six (aaru )
7 seven (eezhu )
8 eight (ettu E of eight )
9 nine (onpathu )
10 ten (pathu )
11 eleven (pathinonnuh' )
12 twelve (panthranduh' )
13 thirteen (pathimoonnuh )
14 fourteen (pathinaaluh )
15 fifteen (pathinanchuh )
16 sixteen (pathinaaruh )
17 seventeen (pathinezhuh )
18 eighteen (pathinettuh )
19 nineteen (pathombathuh )
20 twenty (irupathuh )
21 twenty one (irupathonnuh )
22 twenty two (irupathiranduh )
23 twenty three (irupathimoonuh )
30 thirty (muppathuh )
40 forty (nalpathuh )
50 : fifty (anpathuh )
60 sixty (arupathuh )
70 seventy (ezhupathuh )
80 eighty (enpathuh )
90 ninety (thonnooru )
100 one hundred (nooru )
200 two hundred (Irunnooru )
300 three hundred (Munnooru )
1000 one thousand (aayiram )
2000 two thousand (randayiram )
1,000,000 one million (pathu-laksham )
1,000,000,000 one thousand million in UK , one billion in USA (nooru kodi )
1,000,000,000,000 one trillion in USA , formerly one billion in UK (laksham kodi )
number _____ (train, bus, etc. ) number _____ (...am Number )eg:-#10 ( Pathh-am Number)
half half (arai or paadhi or pakuthi )
less less (kurachu or kuranja )
more more (kooduthal or koodiya )
now ഇപ്പോള് Ippol
later പിന്നെ Pinne
before മു൯പെ Munpey.
morning പ്രഭാതം, രാവിലെ Prabhatham, Raavile.
afternoon (... ) Uchha.
evening സന്ധ്യ Vyikunneram.
night രാത്രി, രാവ് Raathri.
[edit ] Clock time one o'clock oru mani
two o'clock randu mani
Use Ravile for AM, Rathri for PM and Ucha for noon
midnight paathi rathri
[edit ] Duration _____ minute(s) ______ nimisham
_____ hour(s) _____ mani (manikoor)
_____ day(s) _____ naal, divasam
_____ week(s) _____ vaaram, azhcha
_____ month(s) _____ maasam
_____ year(s) _____ varsham, Kollam
today ഇന്ന് (innu )
yesterday ഇന്നലെ (innale )
tomorrow naale
this week eyazhcha
last week kazhinhayazhcha
next week adutha azhcha
Sunday ഞായറാഴ്ച (njhayarazcha )
Monday തിങ്കളാഴ്ച (thingalazhcha )
Tuesday ചൊവ്വാഴ്ച (chovvazhcha )
Wednesday ബുധനാഴ്ച (budhanazhcha )
Thursday വ്യാഴാഴ്ച (vyazhazhcha )
Friday വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച (velliyazhcha )
Saturday ശനിയാഴ്ച (shaniyazhcha )
[edit ] Colors black Karuppu
white Vella
gray chara niram
red chumappu
blue neela
yellow Manja
green pacha
orange orange
purple purple
brown kapi poddi niram
dark kadum
light ilam
[edit ] Transportation Bold text ====Bus and train====
How much is a ticket to Bhopal? Ethra rupayanu Bhopal-lekku ulla ticket-inu?
One ticket to Bhopal, please. Bhopal-lekku oru ticket venam/tharu
Where does this train/bus go? Engottanu ee bus/train pokunnathu?
Where is the train/bus to Kottayam ? Evide anne Kottayathekkula bus?
Does this train/bus stop in Kottayam? Ee bus/train kottayathu nirutthumo?
When does the train/bus for Kottayam leave? Eppolaanu Kottayathekkulla ee bus/train povuka?
When will this train/bus arrive in Kottayam ? Eppolaanu ee bus/train Kottayathu etthuka?
which is the train now??
(ethu train anu ippool)
[edit ] Directions How do I get to _____ ? Engene enikku _________ etham?
...the train station? Engene enikku rail* ...the bus station? Engene enikku bus-standil ettham?
...the airport? Engene enikku vimanathaavalathil etham?
...downtown? Engene enikku nagarathil ettham?
...the youth hostel? Engene enikku youth hostelil etham?
...the _____ hotel? Engene enikku _______ hotelil etham?
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? Engene enikku American/Canadian/Australian/British nayathantra karyalathil entham?
Where are there a lot of... Evideyaanu dhaaralam .............
...hotels? Evideyaanu dhaaralam hotelukal ullathu?
...restaurants? Evideyaanu dhaaralam bhakshna-shalakal ullathu?
...bars? Evideyanu dhaaralam BARukal ullathu?
...sites to see? Evideyaanu dhaaralam sthalangal kaanuvan ullathu?
Can you show me on the map? Enikku map-il onnu kaanichu tharaamo?
lane Veedhi, mudukku
street Theruvu
road Vazhi
crossroad/junction Mukku/kavala
National/State highway Deshiya/Samasthana Padha
Turn left. Idatthekku/Idathottu thiriyuka
Turn right. Valatthekku/Valathottu thiriyuka
left Idathu
right Valathu
straight ahead Nere povuka
towards the bridge Palathinu aduthekku
past the _____ Aa _____ kazhinhu
before the _____ Aa ______ munpu
Watch for the _____. Aa _________ nokkuka / sradhikkanam
intersection Koodicherunna sthalatham
north Vadakku
south Thekku
east Kizhakku
west Padinjaru
uphill Kayattathil
downhill Erakkathil
Taxi! Taxi!
Take me to _____, please. Enne _____ vare kondu pokoo. / ______ vare pokaam.
How much does it cost to get to _____? _________ vare pokaan ethra roopa(money) aavum ?
Take me there, please. Dayavaayi enne ______ vare kondu pokoo
[edit ] Lodging Do you have any rooms available? Ivide muri ozhivindo?
How much is a room for one person/two people? Onno/rendo perkkulla muri vaadeka ethra aanu?
Does the room come with... Ee muriyil ... kittumo?
...bedsheets? virippe
...a bathroom? kuli muri
...a telephone? telephone
...a TV? TV
May I see the room first? Njan aadyam muri kandote?
Do you have anything quieter? Kuruchum koode shanthamaya muri undo?
...bigger? valiyathu/valiya
...cleaner? vrithiyullathu/vrithiyulla(vrithi+ulla)
...cheaper? vila koranjathu/vila kuranja
OK, I'll take it. Sheri, Njan Edukam
That's enough. Ithu madthi
I will stay for _____ night(s). Njan_____raatri thamassikkam
Can you suggest another hotel? Vere oru hotel parayamo?
Do you have a safe/almarah? Ningalkku safe/alamara undo?
...lockers? Puttukul
Is breakfast/supper included? Prabhatha bhakshanam(prathal)/rathri bhakshanam(athazham) ulpedumo?
What time is breakfast/supper? Prabhatha bhakshanam(prathal)/rathri bhakshanam(athazham) eppozhanu?
Please clean my room. Ente muri onu vrithiyakkanam
Can you wake me at _____? Enne _______ manikku ezhunnelpikkamo?
I want to check out. Enikku check-out cheyyanam
Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? Ningal american dollars edukumo?)
do u accept the British Pound? Ningal british pound swekarikumo)
Do you accept credit cards? Credit card swekarikumo)
Can you change money for me? Eniku panam matti tharumo?
Where can I get money changed? Evide ninnu eniku panam matti kittum?
Can you change a traveler's check for me? Enikku oru traveller's check matti tharamo?
Where can I get a traveler's check changed? Evideyanu enikku traveller's check matti kittuka?)
What is the exchange rate? Ennathe vinimaya nerrekku enthannu?
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? ATM evideyanu?
Any money exchange around?
[edit ] Eating A table for one person/two people, please. Enniku/Njangalkku oru meesha vennam
Can I look at the menu, please? Enikku menu kanamo? / Menu onnu kanikkamo?
Can I look in the kitchen? Enikku adukala kanamo? OR Adukkala Onnu kandotte..?
Is there a house specialty? Innathe special entha?
Is there a local specialty? Nadan Bhakshanam vallathum undo?
I'm a vegetarian. Njan Sasyabhojiyaa/sasyabhukku aanu.
I don't eat pork. Njan panni kazhikilla
I don't eat beef. Njan pothirachi thinnilla/kazhikkilla
I only eat kosher food. Njan juda bhakshanam matramme kazhikkullu
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard ) Enna/Neyyu/Kozhuppu kurachu bhakshanam undakamo/paaka peduthamo?
fixed-price meal Meals/oonu undo?
à la carte Menu undo?
breakfast Prathal / Prabhatha Bhakshanam
lunch Oonu
tea chaaya
coffee kaapi
snacks Leghu Bhakshanam or cheru-kadi
supper Athazham
I want a_____. Enikk oru......venam
I want a dish containing _____. Enikku____________kondu undakkiya enthengilum mathi
chicken kozhi
beef Pothirachi
fish Meen
ham Panni
sausage hot dogs / Eerachi
cheese Palkkatty / Panneer
eggs Motta
salad Raitha
(fresh) vegetables Pachakkary
(fresh) fruits Pazha vargangal/ pazhangal
bread roti, appam, bread
toast morrikkuka
noodles noodles
rice Ari
beans Payar
May I have a glass of _____? Oru glass ___________ tharamo?
May I have a cup of _____? Oru kappu______________tharamo?
May I have a bottle of _____? Oru kuppi ________ tharamo?
juice pazhachar/ juice /neer
(bubbly) water Soda
cool drinks Sheethala paaneeyam
water Vellam
beer Beer
red/white wine Chuvanna/Velutha Veenjhu
May I have some _____? Kurachu______ tharamo?
salt Uppu
black pepper Kurumulaku
butter Venna
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server ) Athhe Chaeta (chaetan means brother(elder)..for a female, it is chechi(sister))
I'm finished. Njan Mathiyakkuvaa/enikku mathi
It was delicious. ruchikaram /Gambeeram
Please clear the plates. Paathrangal Edutholoo
The cheque, please. Cheque thannalum
Do you serve alcohol? Ningal madhyam vilambumo?
Is there table service? Table service undo?
A beer/two beers, please. Randu beer tharoo
A glass of red/white wine, please Oru glass chuvanna/Velutha veenjhu tharaamo
A pint, please. Oru paynnt tharamo
A bottle, please. Oru Kuppy tharamo
water Vellam
Do you have any bar snacks? Thottu-koottan enthengilum undo
One more, please. Onnum koodi please
Another round, please. Orennam koodi
When is closing time? Eppozha adakkunnathu
food bakshanam
[edit ] Shopping Do you have this in my size? Do you have this in my size? (ithu ente alavil/pakathil/size-il undo? )
How much is this? How much is this? (ithinu entha vila? )
That's too expensive. That's too expensive. (athu orupadu kooduthalaanu )
Would you take _____? Would you take _____? (ningal edukkumo? )
expensive expensive (vila kooduthal aanu )
cheap cheap (vila kuranjathu )
I can't afford it. I can't afford it. (ennikku ithu(read as e-thu) thangilla )
I don't want it. I don't want it. (enikku athu venda )
You're cheating me. You're cheating me. (ningal enne chadikukkayanu )
I'm not interested. I'm not interested. (enikyu thalpariyam illa )
OK, I'll take it. OK, I'll take it. (sari. njan itheduthollam )
Can I have a bag? Can I have a bag? (Oru sanchi/cover kittumo )
Do you ship (overseas)? Do you ship (overseas)? (Ningal videsathekku ayachu tharumo )
I need... I need... (Enikku oru.......venam )
...toothpaste. ...toothpaste. (paste )
...a toothbrush. ...a toothbrush. (brush )
...tampons. ...tampons. (pad/tampon e.g. whisper or stayfree etc )
...soap. ...soap. (soap )
...shampoo. ...shampoo. (shampoo )
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen ) ...pain reliever. (pain killer,veedana samhari )
...cold medicine. ...cold medicine. (jala doshathinulla marunnu )
...stomach medicine. ...stomach medicine. (vayaru veedanakkulla marunnu )
...a razor. ...a razor. (blade/shaving razor )
...an umbrella. ...an umbrella. (kuda )
...sunblock lotion. ...sunblock lotion. (sunscreen lotion )
...a postcard. ...a postcard. (post card )
...postage stamps. ...postage stamps. (stamp )
...batteries. ...batteries. (battery )
...writing paper. ...writing paper. (paper/ezhuthanulla kadalasu )
...a pen. ...a pen. (paena )
...English-language books. ...English-language books. (english pusthakangal )
...English-language magazines. ...English-language magazines. (english varikakal/mazikakal )
...an English-language newspaper. ...an English-language newspaper. (english pathram )
...an English-English dictionary. ...an English-English dictionary. (english nighandu )
[edit ] Driving I want to rent a car. I want to rent a car. (Eniku oru CAR vadakakku edukkanam )
Can I get insurance? Can I get insurance? (Enikku oru insurance policy edukkanam )
stop (on a street sign ) stop (Nirthoo )
one way one way (... )
yield yield (... )
no parking no parking (evide niruthan paadilla )
speed limit speed limit (vega paridhi )
gas (petrol ) station gas station (petrol bunk )
petrol petrol (petrol )
diesel diesel (diesel )
[edit ] Authority I haven't done anything wrong. I haven't done anything wrong. (Njan thettonnum cheythittilla )
It was a misunderstanding. It was a misunderstanding. (Athoru thetti-dharana ayirunnu )
Where are you taking me? Where are you taking me? (Ningal enne engottanu kondu-pokunnathu )
Am I under arrest? Am I under arrest? (Njan arrestil ano )
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (Njan oru.....Powran aanu )
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (Enikku .....Embassyyil bandhappedanam )
I want to talk to a lawyer. I want to talk to a lawyer. (Enikku Oru vakkeeline kananam )
Can I just pay a fine now? Can I just pay a fine now? (Oru pizha/Fine adachal mathiyo ? )
Light switch. Light switch. (Light-inte Switch )
Church Palli.
(e.g. I'm going to church for attending the holy mass---('njan kurbana kudan pallil pokunnu') )
Temple Ambalam
Mosque palli/ muslim palli
