Pronunciation guide
[edit]Phrase list
[edit]
Common signs
|
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) 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
[edit]
Body parts
|
- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- _____ minute(s)
- ______ nimisham
- _____ hour(s)
- _____ mani (manikoor)
- _____ day(s)
- _____ naal, divasam
- _____ week(s)
- _____ vaaram, azhcha
- _____ month(s)
- _____ maasam
- _____ year(s)
- _____ varsham
Days
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]Bus and train
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]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
[edit]- 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
[edit]- Light switch.
- Light switch / switch / bulb switch
- Church
- Palli
- Mosque
- Palli (or Muslim palli)
- Temple
- Ambalam, Kshethram