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.

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)

Aay or "a'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 / Kashttamundu (when u listen a 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),
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!

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 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

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 / as 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 : 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?

Ningalketra 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 Kollam / 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

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 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')

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

(...) Uchha.

evening

Vyikunneram. Just before sunset, it is called sandya (സന്ധ്യ).

night

രാത്രി, രാവ് Raathri.

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

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 Bhopalathekku ticket

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 _____ ?

Engene enikku _________ ethum?

...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

Deshiya/Samasthana 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

Koodicherunna sthalatham

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 ?

Take me there, please.

Dayavaayi enne ______ vare kondu pokoo

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?

Aathyam 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?

Puttukul

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 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?

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?

fixed-price meal

Meals undo?

à la carte

Menu undo?

breakfast

Prathal / Prabhatha Bhakshanam

lunch

Oonu

tea

chaaya

coffee

kaapi

snacks

Leggu Bhakshanam or Kurrukkaku

supper

Athazham

I want _____.

Enikk oru......venam

I want a dish containing _____.

____________Kondundakkiya 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) 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

I'm finished.

Njan Mathiyakkuvaa

It was delicious.

Gambeeram

Please clear 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.

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

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

Do you have this in my size? (ethu ente pakathil 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) thangillya)

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. (tampon)

...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. (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. (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)

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)

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 ?)

Other

Light switch.

Light switch. (Light Switch)

Church

Palli

Mosque

Palli (or Muslim palli)

Temple

Ambalam, kshethram