Malayalam phrasebook
Malayalam belongs to the Dravidian language family, and is mostly spoken in Southern India in the states of Kerala and Lakshadweep. Around thirty six million people uses this language, which is one of the twenty two official languages of India.
Pronunciation guide Edit
I have received
Common Edit
Phrase list Edit
Basics Edit
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/convenient?)
or, Enthokkeyundu / Enth okke undu? (Literally, What all are there?) 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.
Parichayappettathil valare santhosham. (Literal meaning: Enormously 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  orupaadu nanni or Valare upakaaram, or you can say in English, or repeat “Thank you” two times. You’re welcome (saluting).  (formal) Swaagatham; (informal) varu varu / varanam varanam / varika varkia. Yes.  Athey/ Ssherri (Literal Meaning: Correct) No.  Illa Not Alla Excuse me. (getting attention)  sradhikyu / kshamikkanam / 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),
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 Raathiri (not used), say in English “Good night” / “Good night, sweet fantasies”. I did not understand.  Kshamikkanam Enikku manassilaayilla / manassilaayilla I like sweets  Eniku 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 very first English alphabet’A’) Spicy food  Erivulla bhakshanam Where are you going?  Ningal evideya pokunnathu? Where is the toilet?  Do you indeed want to know? 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 very 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 paramour): Njan ninne premikkunnu (also can say premam, pranayam, Sneham- means love) ( Njan means ‘I’); Amazing: adipoli; I hate you : Enikku ninne ishtam alla. OR Njan ninne verukkunnu. OR enniku ninne verripu annu Can you display me the way?  Enikku vazhi kaanichu tharaamo? ( vazhi means ‘way’) How old are you?  Ningalkethra vayassayi? I am greedy  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? Lady is looking good  Penkutty Kaanaan Kollaam / Pennu Adi poli (informal) What is the matter? Entha karyam? I left behind 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 combination of “r”, “ya”, “la”
Problems Edit
Numbers Edit
Time Edit
Clock time Edit
Use Ravile for AM, Rathri for PM and Ucha for noon
midnight  paathi rathri
Duration Edit
Days Edit
Colors Edit
Transportation Edit
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)
Directions Edit
Taxi Edit
Lodging Edit
Money Edit
Any money exchange around?
Eating Edit
Bars Edit
Shopping Edit
Driving Edit
Authority Edit
Other Edit
(e.g. I’m going to church for attending the holy mass—(‘njan kurbana kudan pallil pokunnu’) )
Temple Ambalam Mosque  palli/ muslim palli
Malayalam phrasebook
Malayalam phrasebook
Malayalam belongs to the Dravidian language family, and is mostly spoken in Southern India in the states of Kerala and Lakshadweep. Around thirty six million people uses this language, which is one of the twenty two official languages of India.
Pronunciation guide Edit
I have received
Common Edit
Phrase list Edit
Basics Edit
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/comfy?)
or, Enthokkeyundu / Enth okke undu? (Literally, What all are there?) 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.
Parichayappettathil valare santhosham. (Literal meaning: Utterly 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  orupaadu nanni or Valare upakaaram, or you can say in English, or repeat “Thank you” two times. You’re welcome (saluting).  (formal) Swaagatham; (informal) varu varu / varanam varanam / varika varkia. Yes.  Athey/ Ssherri (Literal Meaning: Correct) No.  Illa Not Alla Excuse me. (getting attention)  sradhikyu / kshamikkanam / 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),
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 Raathiri (not used), say in English “Good night” / “Good night, sweet wishes”. I did not understand.  Kshamikkanam Enikku manassilaayilla / manassilaayilla I like sweets  Eniku 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 very first English alphabet’A’) Spicy food  Erivulla bhakshanam Where are you going?  Ningal evideya pokunnathu? Where is the toilet?  Do you indeed want to know? 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 very 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 paramour): Njan ninne premikkunnu (also can say premam, pranayam, Sneham- means love) ( Njan means ‘I’); Amazing: adipoli; I hate you : Enikku ninne ishtam alla. OR Njan ninne verukkunnu. OR enniku ninne verripu annu Can you demonstrate me the way?  Enikku vazhi kaanichu tharaamo? ( vazhi means ‘way’) How old are you?  Ningalkethra vayassayi? I am greedy  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? Lady is looking good  Penkutty Kaanaan Kollaam / Pennu Adi poli (informal) What is the matter? Entha karyam? I left behind 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 combination of “r”, “ya”, “la”
Problems Edit
Numbers Edit
Time Edit
Clock time Edit
Use Ravile for AM, Rathri for PM and Ucha for noon
midnight  paathi rathri
Duration Edit
Days Edit
Colors Edit
Transportation Edit
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)
Directions Edit
Taxi Edit
Lodging Edit
Money Edit
Any money exchange around?
Eating Edit
Bars Edit
Shopping Edit
Driving Edit
Authority Edit
Other Edit
(e.g. I’m going to church for attending the holy mass—(‘njan kurbana kudan pallil pokunnu’) )
Temple Ambalam Mosque  palli/ muslim palli