Malayalam phrasebook

Malayalam (മലയാളം) belongs to the Dravidian language family, and is mostly spoken in Southern India in the states of Kerala and Lakshadweep. Around 36 million people use this language, which is one of the 22 official languages of India. A Malayalam speaker is called a "Malayali". Most Malayalam speakers know basic English words. English nouns are often used and occupy a large proportion of the daily vocabulary. Common English nouns can be used as a replacement for the Malayalam words.

Pronunciation guide

Phrase list

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) namaskaaram. (very formal, so the below informal form is common)
Hello. (informal): Haay or "ha'ye", You can use English "Hello" or "Hi".
How are you?: (സുഖമാണോ?) sukhamaano? (Literal meaning: Are you fine/comfortable?)
or, Enthokkeyundu / Enth okke undu? (Literally, What all are there?)
I am not fine: Enikk 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.
Parichayappettathil valare santhosham. (Literal meaning: Extremely delighted for you acquaintance)
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.: (formal) Swaagatham;
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 (literally means something like "it's regrettable")
Don't mind/It's OK: Saaramilla (say this if you are comforting sombody)
Goodbye: Pinneedu kaananam (Vida) / Pinne kaanam / Veendum kaanaam (Literal meaning: I will see you again later),
or say in English "Goodbye" / "Bye" / "Bye Bye"/ "Tata" / "Tata Bye Bye".
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!: Sradhikku ! (literally means "be careful"). "Nokkoo" can also be used to say "see this".
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 Raathri (not used), say in English "Good night" / "Good night, sweet dreams".
I did not understand.: Kshamikkanam Enikku manassilaayilla / manassilaayilla.
I like sweets: Enikku mittaay ishtamaanu
(I like sweet stuff) Eniku madhuram ishtamaanu
Flower: Poovu
Elephant: Aana
Dog: Patti/Naaya
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?: toilet evideyaanu / Kakkoos Evideyaanu? (Kakkoos means toilet; the English word is also used)
Where is the bathroom?: bathroom evideyaanu / Kulimuri Evideyaanu? (Kuli = bath, muri = room)
Get lost: Dayavu cheythu Maari Pooku (polite / as a request), Maari Pooku (less polite / as an order), Podaa (very impolite and use as a slang)
Wake up: Eneekku (slang)(the first 'e' pronounced as 'A' in English) / Ezhunelku (informal)/ Dayavu cheythu Ezhunelku (as a request). "Dayavu" means "please".
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 don't like you: Enikku ninne ishtamalla; I hate you : Njan ninne verukkunnu. OR enniku ninne verripu annu (very offensive)
Can you show me the way?: Enikku vazhi kaanichu tharaamo? ( vazhi means 'way')
How old are you?: Ningalketra vayassayi?
I am hungry: Enikku vishakunnu
Where can I get some water?: Vellam evide kittum?; 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 / Hospital
Can we go for a movie?: Namukku oru cinemekku pokaamo?, Namukku oru cinemekku poyaalo?
What is the matter?: Entha karyam?
I forgot: Njan Marannu
I don't know: Enikku ariyilla (r as in Rough)
Later: Pinneedu
After: Kazhinjittu/shesham
Before: Mumbu/Munpu
Please Wait: Onnu Nilku
One question: Oru choodyam

Days Monday: Thingal-aazhicha (can be pronounced as Thingle Aaycha) Tuesday: Chovva-azhicha Wednesday: Budhana-azhicha Thursday: Vyaazha-azhicha / alternate spelling Vyaara-azhicha (r as in rha) Friday: Velli-aazhicha Saturday: Shani-aazhicha Sunday: Njaayar-aazhicha letters "zh" sounds like "r" in "purse", or like a mixture of "r", "ya", "la".

Problems

Leave me alone.: Enne veruthe vidoo.
Don't touch me!: Enne thodaruthu.
I'll call the police.: Njaan policeine 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')

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)

Time

now: ഇപ്പോള് Ippol
later: പിന്നെ Pinne
before: മു൯പെ Munpey.
morning: പ്രഭാതം, രാവിലെ Prabhatham, Raavile.
afternoon: ഉച്ച Uchha.
evening: Vyikunneram. Just before sunset, twilight is called sandya (സന്ധ്യ).
night: രാത്രി, രാവ് Raathri.

Clock time

one o'clock: oru mani
two o'clock: randu mani

Use Ravile for AM, Ucha for noon, vaikunneram for 3 PM to 6 PM and rathri for night

midnight: paathi rathri

Duration

_____ minute(s): ______ nimisham
_____ hour(s): _____ mani (manikoor)
_____ day(s): _____ naal, divasam
_____ week(s): _____ vaaram, azhcha
_____ month(s): _____ maasam
_____ year(s): _____ varsham

Days

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)

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

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to Bhopal?: Ethra rupayanu Bhopalathekkulla ticketinu / Bhopal ticketinu ethra rupayaakum
One ticket to Bhopal, please.: Bhopalathekku oru ticket venam
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

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: _________il engane pokum / Engane enikku _________ ethaam?
...the train station?: Engene enikku rail way stationanil ettham?
...the bus station?: Engene enikku bus-standil ettham?
...the airport?: Engene enikku vimanathaavalathil ettham?
...downtown?: Engene enikku nagarathil ettham?
...the youth hostel?: Engene enikku youth hostelil ettham?
...the _____ hotel?: Engene enikku _______ hotlil ettham?
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: Engene enikku American/Canadian/Australian/British nyathantrakaryalathil enttham?
Where are there a lot of...: Evideyaanu dhaaralam .............
...hotels?: Evideyaanu dhaaralam hotelukal ullathu?
...restaurants?: Evideyaanu dhaaralam bhojanashalakal ullathu?
...bars?: Evideyanu dhaaralam BARukal ullathu?
...sites to see?: Evideyaanu dhaaralam sthalangal kaanuvan ullathu?
Can you show me on the map?: Enikku mappil onnu kaanichu tharaamo?
lane: Veedhi, mudukku
street: Theruvu
road: Vazhi
crossroad/junction: Mukku
National/State highway: Desheeya/Samsthaana Padha
Turn left.: Idatthekku thiriyuka
Turn right.: Valatthekku 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: junction / Koodicherunna sthalam
north: Vadakku
south: Thekku
east: Kizhakku
west: Padinjaru
uphill: Kayattathil
downhill: Erakkathil

Taxi

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 ?
how much is the rate?: ethra roopa?
Take me there, (please): (Dayavaayi) enne ______ vare kondu pokoo

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Ivide muri ozhivundo?
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Onno/rendo perkkulla muri vaadeka ethra aanu?
Does the room come with...: Ee muriyil ... undakumo? / Ee muriyil ... kittumo?
...bedsheets?: bedsheet
...a bathroom?: kuli muri
...a telephone?: telephone
...a TV?: TV
May I see the room first?: Aadyam muri kandote?
Do you have anything quieter?: Kuruchum Koode shanthamaya muri undo?
...bigger?: valiyathu
...cleaner?: vrithiyullathu
...cheaper?: vila koranjathu
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?: Ningalkku safe undo?
...lockers?: Puuttukal
Is breakfast/supper included?: Prabhatha/rathri bhakshanam ulpedumo?
What time is breakfast/supper?: Prabhatha/rathri bhakshanam 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

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Ningal american dollars edukumo?
do u accept the British Pound?: Ningal british pound edukumo
Do you accept credit cards?: Credit card edukumo
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? Money exchange evideyundaakum?

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Enniku/Njakkal oru table vennam
Can I look at the menu, please?: Enikku menu kanamo?
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
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): Eenna/Neyyi/Kuzhuppu kurucha pakka peduttamo?
Are there (fixed-price) meals?: Meals undo?
Is there a menu?: Menu undo?
breakfast: Prathal / Prabhatha Bhakshanam
lunch: lunch/oonu (meals)/Ucha bhakshanam
tea: chaaya
coffee: kaapi
snacks: Leggu Bhakshanam or Kurrukkaku
supper: Athazham
I want _____.: Enikk _____ venam
I want a dish containing _____.: ____________Kondundakkiya enthengilum mathi
chicken: kozhi (the English word is also commonly used)
beef: Pothirachi
fish: Meen
ham: Panni
sausage: hot dogs / Eerachi
cheese: cheese (Palkkatty / Panner are dishes that make use of cheese, not a translation for "cheese" itself)
eggs: Motta
salad: Raitha
(fresh) vegetables: Pachakkary
(fresh) fruit: Pazha vargamkel
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(read as koo-pee) tharamo
juice: pazhachar/ neer
(bubbly) water: Soda
cool drinks: Sheethalapaniyam
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 ("Chaeta" means brother)
I'm finished.: Njan Mathiyakkuvaa
It was delicious.: Gambeeram/Adi poli ("Superb")
Please take the plates.: Paathrangal Edutholoo
The cheque, please.: Cheque thannalum

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Ningal madhyam vilambumo?
Is there table service?: Evide table service undo?
A beer/two beers, please.: Onne/Randu beer tharoo (Onne = one)
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

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: ethu ente sizil undo/ ethu ente pakathil undo
How much is this?: vila ethra? (ithinu entha vila)
That's too expensive.: athu orupadu kooduthalaanu
Would you take _____?: ningal edukkumo?
expensive: expensive / vila kooduthal aanu
cheap: cheap / vila kuranjathu
I can't afford it.: ennikku ithu(read as e-thu) thangillya)
I don't have that much money: Ente kayil athryayum roopa illa
I don't want it.: enikku athu venda / venda
You're cheating me.: ningal enne pattikkukayaanu / ningal enne chadikkukayaanu
I'm not interested.: enikyu thalpariyam illa
OK, I'll take it.: sheri. njan ithu edukkaam / sheri. njan ithu vangaam
Can I have a bag?: oru bag tharaamo? / (Oru sanchi/cover/bag kittumo)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Ningal videsathekku ayakkumo?
I need...: Enikku oru.......venam
...toothpaste.: ...toothpaste. (paste)
...a toothbrush.: ...toothbrush. (brush)
...tampons.: ...tampons. (tampon)
...soap.: ...soap. (soap)
...shampoo.: ...shampoo (shampoo)
...modern medicine.: English medicine / Allopathy medicine
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): pain killer / veedana samhari
...cold medicine.: panikkulla medicine / jala doshathinulla marunnu
...stomach medicine.: vayaru veedanakkulla marunnu
...a razor.: blade
...an umbrella.: Kuda / umbrella
...sunblock lotion.: ...sunblock lotion. (sunscreen lotion)
...a postcard.: ... postcard
...postage stamps.: ...stamp
...batteries.: ...battery
...writing paper.: ...writing paper / ezhuthanulla kadalaasu
...a pen.: paena
...English-language books.: english pusthakangal
...English-language magazines.: english varikakal/mazikakal
...an English-language newspaper.: english pathram
...a Malayalam-English dictionary.: Malayalam English dictionary / Nighandu

Driving

English is the primary language for road signs in Kerala

I want to rent a car.: Eniku oru CAR vadakakku edukkanam
Can I get insurance?: Enikku oru insurance policy edukkanam
stop (on a street sign): Stop / nirthuka
one way: one way
yield: yield
no parking: no parking / evide niruthan paadilla
speed limit: speed limit / vega paridhi
gas (petrol) station: petrol pump / pump
petrol: petrol
diesel: diesel

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Njan thettonnum cheythittilla
It was a misunderstanding.: Athoru thetti-dharana ayirunnu
Where are you taking me?: Ningal enne engottanu kondu-pokunnathu
Am I under arrest?: Njan arrestil ano
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Njan oru American/Australian/British/Canadian powran aanu
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: Enikku .....Embassyyil bandhappedanam
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Enikku Oru vakkeeline kananam
Can I just pay a fine now?: Oru pizha/Fine adachal mathiyo ?

Other

Light switch.: Light switch / switch / bulb switch
Church: Palli
Mosque: Palli (or Muslim palli)
Temple: Ambalam, Kshethram