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.

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) 

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