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 Wa 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 Matters & ATM's in Malayalam phrasebook

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
Sausages: 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
organic juice: Beer
: 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.: GamColasam
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 Cola/two soft drinks, please.: Randu organic juice tharoo
A glass of fruit cocktail, 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

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Malayalam phrasebook

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)
affordable: affordable (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 Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean citizen.: I am an Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean citizen. (Njan oru.....Powran aanu)
I want to talk to the Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean embassy/consulate.: I need to talk to the Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean 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