Language spoken in the Southern Indian state of Kerala.
Pronunciation guide
Consonants
Common diphthongs
Phrase list
Basics
; Hello. : namaskaaram.
; Hello. (''informal'') : hello
; How are you? : sughamaano? (Literal meaning: Are you fine?)
; Yes, thank you. : Ssherri/Athe. Nanni.
; I am fine. : Enikku sukhamaanu.
; What is your name? : Ningalude paeru enthaanu?
; My name is ______ . : Ente paeru ______ aanu.
; Nice to meet you. : Parichayappettathil valare santhosham. (Literal meaning: Extremely delighted for you acquaintance)
; Please. : Dayavu cheythu (Dayavayi)
; Thank you. : Nanni (pronounced: naan-ni)
; You're welcome. : Swaagatham.
; Yes. : Athey, Ssherri (Literal Meaning: Correct)
; No. : Illa
; Not: Alla
; Excuse me. (''getting attention'') : Excuse me. (''kshamiku'')
; Excuse me. (''begging pardon'') : Kshamikkoo.
; I'm sorry. : Ennodu Kshamikkoo.
; Goodbye : Pinneedu kannanam (Vidah).
; Goodbye (''informal'') : Veendum kaanaam.
; I can't speak Malayalam. : Enikku 'Malayalam' samsaarikkan ariyilla.
; Do you speak English? : Ningal English Samsaarikkumo ?
; Is there someone here who speaks English? : Ivide English samsaarikkan ariyunnavar aarenkilum undo ?
; Help! : Sahaayikkoo!
; Help (Save) : Rakshikoo
; Look out! : Nokkoo!
; Good morning. : Suprabhaatham.
; Good evening. : Good evening. (''guhd EEV-ning'')
; Good night. : Shubha raathri.
; Good night (''to sleep'') : Good night. (''good NIGHT'')
; I did not understand. : Enikku manassilaayilla.
; I like sweets : eniku mathuram eshtamaanu
; Flower : poove
; Elephant : Aana
; Dog : Naaya/Patti
; Cat: Poocha(POO in poor)
; Spicy (hot): erivu
; Spicy food : erivulla bhakshanam
; Where are you going? : Ningal evideya pokunnathu?
; Where is the toilet? : Kakkoos Evideyaanu? (Kakkoos means toilet)
; Get lost : poda
; Wake up : eneekku (the first 'e' pronounced as 'A' in english
; Do you like me? : enne ishtamaano?
; I love you : Njan ninne premikkunnu. ( Njan means 'I') OR enniku ninne ishtam annu
; I hate you : Njan ninne verukkunnu. OR enniku ninne verripu annu
; Can you show me the way? : Enikku vazhi kaanichu taraamo? ( vazhi means 'way')
; How old are you? : Ninaketra vayassayi?
; I am hungry : Enikku vishakunnu
; Where can I get some water? : Enikku alpam vellam evide kittum? (alpam corresponds to some, little etc) OR korucho vellam tharuvo?
; Hospital : Aashupatri
; Can we go for a movie? : Namukku oru cinemekku pokaamo?
Problems
; Leave me alone. : Enne veruthe vidoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
; Don't touch me! : Enne thodaruthu.
; I'll call the police. : Njaan policine vilikkum.
; Police! : Police! (''Police'')
; Stop! Thief!: Nirthoo! 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 bag 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?
; I'll behead you. : Njan ninte thala ariyum. ( Thala means 'head')
; 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 billion in UK, one trillion in USA----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 : ??????? Ippol
; later : ?????? Pinne
; before : ????? Munpey.
; morning : ???????, ?????? Prabhatham, Raavile.
; afternoon : (''...'') Uchha.
; evening : ?????? Vyikunneram.
; night : ??????, ???? Raathri.
Clock time
; one o'clock AM : oru mani
; two o'clock AM : randu mani
; one o'clock PM : one o'clock PM (''...'')
; two o'clock PM : two o'clock PM (''...'')
; midnight : paathi rathri
Duration
; _____ minute(s) : _____ minute(s) (''nimisham'')
; _____ hour(s) : _____ hour(s) (''mani'')
; _____ day(s) : _____ day(s) (''naal'', "divasam")
; _____ week(s) : _____ week(s) (''vaaram'' "azhcha")
; _____ month(s) : _____ month(s) (''maasam'')
; _____ year(s) : _____ year(s) (''varsham'')
Days
; today : ????? (''innu'')
; yesterday : ?????? (''innale'')
; tomorrow : tomorrow (''naale'')
; this week : this week (''iyazhcha'')
; last week : last week (''kazhinhayazhcha'')
; next week : next week (''adutha azhcha'')
; Sunday : ???????? (''nhayarazcha'')
; Monday : ?????????? (''thingalazhcha'')
; Tuesday : ????????? (''chovvazhcha'')
; Wednesday : ???????? (''budhanazhcha'')
; Thursday : ????????? (''vyazhazhcha'')
; Friday : ??????????? (''velliyazhcha'')
; Saturday : ???????? (''shaniyazhcha'')
Months
''If speakers of the language commonly use a calendar other than the Gregorian, explain it here and list its months. See Hebrew phrasebook for an example.''
; January : January (''...'')
; February : February (''...'')
; March : March (''...'')
; April : April (''...'')
; May : May (''...'')
; June : June (''...'')
; July : July (''...'')
; August : August (''...'')
; September : September (''...'')
; October : October (''...'')
; November : November (''...'')
; December : December (''...'')
Writing time and date
Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.
Date-Month-Year
July 5th 2006 would be 5 July 2006 or 5-7-06
Colors
; black : Karuppu
; white : Vella (VE of very)
; gray : chara niram
; red : chumappu
; blue : neela
; yellow : Manja
; green : pacha
; orange : orange
; purple : purple
; brown : brown
; dark : kadum
; light : ilam
Transportation
Bus and train
; How much is a ticket to _Kottayam____? : How much is a ticket to _____? (''Ethra rupayanu Kottayathekku ticket ? '')
; One ticket to _Kottayam____, please. : One ticket to _____, please. (''Kottayathekku oru ticket venam'')
; Where does this train/bus go? : Where does this train/bus go? (''Engottanu ee bus/train pokunnathu?'')
; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Where is the train/bus to _____? (''Aayvide anne Kottayathekkula buseh ? '')
; Does this train/bus stop in __Kottayam___? : Does this train/bus stop in _____? (''ee bus/train kottayathu nirutthumo? '')
; When does the train/bus for _kottayam____ leave? : When does the train/bus for _____ leave? (''eppolaanu Kottayathekkulla ee bus/train povuka? '')
; When will this train/bus arrive in _kottayam____? : When will this bus arrive in _____? (''eppolaanu ee bus/train kottayathu etthuka? '')
Directions
; How do I get to _____ ? : How do I get to _____ ? (''engine enikku '')
; ...the train station? : ...the train station? (''Engine enikku railway stationanil ettham? '')
; ...the bus station? : ...the bus station? (''Engine enikku busstandil ettham? '')
; ...the airport? : ...the airport? (''Engine enikku vimanathaavalathil ettham? '')
; ...downtown? : ...downtown? (''...'')
; ...the youth hostel? : ...the youth hostel? (''engine enikku youth hostelil ettham? '')
; ...the _____ hotel? : ...the _____ hotel? (''engine enikku hotlil ettham? '')
; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (''...'')
; Where are there a lot of... : Where are there a lot of... (''evideyaanu dhaaralam ...'')
; ...hotels? : ...hotels? (''Evideyaanu dhaaralam hotelukal ullathu? '')
; ...restaurants? : ...restaurants? (''evideyaanu dhaaralam bhojanashalakal ullathu? '')
; ...bars? : ...bars? (''evideyanu dhaaralam BARukal ullathu? '')
; ...sites to see? : ...sites to see? (''Evideyaanu dhaaralam sthalangal kaanuvan ullathu? '')
; Can you show me on the map? : Can you show me on the map? (''Enikku mappil onnu kaanichu tharaamo? '')
; street : street (''theruvu'')
; Turn left. : Turn left. (''idatthekku thiriyuka'')
; Turn right. : Turn right. (''valatthekku thiriyuka'')
; left : left (''idathu'')
; right : right (''valathu'')
; straight ahead : straight ahead (''nere povuka'')
; towards the _____ : towards the _bridge____ (''palathinu aduthekku'')
; past the _____ : past the _____ (''kazhinhu'')
; before the _____ : before the _____ (''munpu'')
; Watch for the _____. : Watch for the _____. (''nokkuka'')
; intersection : intersection (''koodicherunna sthalathu'')
; north : north (''vadakku'')
; south : south (''thekku'')
; east : east (''kizhakku'')
; west : west (''padinjaru'')
; uphill : uphill (''kayattathil'')
; downhill : downhill (''irakkathil'')
Taxi
; Taxi! : Taxi! (''...'')
; Take me to _____, please. : Take me to _____, please. (''...'')
; How much does it cost to get to _____? : How much does it cost to
get to _____? (''...'')
; Take me there, please. : Take me there, please. (''...'')
Lodging
; Do you have any rooms available? : Do you have any rooms available? (''Ivide oru muri ozhivindo?'')
; How much is a room for one person/two people? : How much is a room for one person/two people? (''Onno/rendo perkkulla muri vaadeka ethra aanu?'')
; Does the room come with... : Does the room come with... (''Ee muriyil ... kittumo?'')
; ...bedsheets? : ...bedsheets? (''virippe'')
; ...a bathroom? : ...a bathroom? (''kuli muri'')
; ...a telephone? : ...a telephone? ('''')
; ...a TV? : ...a TV? ('''')
; May I see the room first? : May I see the room first? (''Aathyam muri kandote?'')
; Do you have anything quieter? : Do you have anything quieter? (''...'')
; ...bigger? : ...bigger? (''valiyathu'')
; ...cleaner? : ...cleaner? (''vrithiyullathu'')
; ...cheaper? : ...cheaper? (''vila koranjathu'')
; OK, I'll take it. : OK, I'll take it. (''Njan Edukam'')
; That's enough. : That's enough. (''Ithu madthi'')
; I will stay for _____ night(s). : I will stay for _____ night(s). (''Njan ... raatri thamassikkam'')
; Can you suggest another hotel? : Can you suggest another hotel? (''Vere oru hotel parayamo?'')
; Do you have a safe? : Do you have a safe? (''Ningalkku safe undo?'')
; ...lockers? : ...lockers? (''...'')
; Is breakfast/supper included? : Is breakfast/supper included? (''prabhatha/rathri bhakshanam ulpedumo?'')
; What time is breakfast/supper? : What time is breakfast/supper? (''prabhatha/rathri bhakshanam eppozhanu?'')
; Please clean my room. : Please clean my room. (''ente muri onu vrithiyakkanam'')
; Can you wake me at _____? | Can you wake me at _____? (''enne __ manikku ezhunnelpikkamo?'')
; I want to check out. : I want to check out. (''enikku check-out cheyyanam'')
Money
; Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (''ningal american dollars edukumo?'')
; Do you accept British pounds? : Do you accept British pounds? (''ningal british pound swekarikumo'')
; Do you accept credit cards? : Do you accept credit cards? (''credit card swekarikumo'')
; Can you change money for me? : Can you change money for me? (''eniku vendi panam matti tharumo?'')
; Where can I get money changed? : Where can I get money changed? (''...'')
; Can you change a traveler's check for me? : 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? : Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (''Evideyanu enikku traveller's check matti kittuka?'')
; What is the exchange rate? : What is the exchange rate? (''...'')
; Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? : Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (''ATM evideyanu?'')
Eating
; A table for one person/two people, please. : A table for one person/two people, please. (''Enniku oru table please'' OR ''Randu verku oru table please'')
; Can I look at the menu, please? : Enikku menu kanamo? ('''')
; Can I look in the kitchen? : Enikku adukala kanamo? (''Adukkala Onnu kandotte..?'')
; Is there a house specialty? : Is there a house specialty? (''...'')
; Is there a local specialty? : Is there a local specialty? (''Nadan Bhakshanam vallathum undo'')
; I'm a vegetarian. : I'm a vegetarian. (''Njan Sasyabhojiyaa'')
; I don't eat pork. : I don't eat pork. (''njyaan panni kazhikilla'')
; I don't eat beef. : I don't eat beef. (''Njan pothirachi thinnilla/kazhikkilla'')
; I only eat kosher food. : I only eat kosher food. (''...'')
; Can you make it "lite", please? (''less oil/butter/lard'') : Can you make it "lite", please? (''...'')
; fixed-price meal : fixed-price meal (''...'')
; a la carte : a la carte (''...'')
; breakfast : breakfast (''Prathal'')
; lunch : lunch (''Ooonu'')
; tea (''meal'') : tea (''chaaya'')
; supper : supper (''Athazham'')
; I want _____. : I want _____. (''Enikk oru......venam'')
; I want a dish containing _____. : I want a dish containing _____. (''......Kondundakkiya enthengilum mathi'')
; chicken : chicken (''kozhi'')
; beef : beef (''Pothirachi'')
; fish : fish (''Meen'')
; ham : ham (''Panni'')
; sausage : sausage (''...'')
; cheese : cheese (''Palkkatty'')
; eggs : eggs (''Motta'')
; salad : salad (''...'')
; (fresh) vegetables : (fresh) vegetables (''fresh Pachakkary'')
; (fresh) fruit : (fresh) fruit (''...'')
; bread : bread (''...'')
; toast : toast (''...'')
; noodles : noodles (''...'')
; rice : rice (''Ari'')
; beans : beans (''...'')
; May I have a glass of _____? : May I have a glass of _____? (''Oru Glass..... Tharamo..?'')
; May I have a cup of _____? : May I have a cup of _____? (''Oru Kappu.....Tharamo'')
; May I have a bottle of _____? : May I have a bottle of _____? (''Oru Bottle.....Tharamo'')
; coffee : coffee (''Kaappy'')
; tea (''drink'') : tea (''Chaaya'')
; juice : juice (''juice'')
; (bubbly) water : water (''Soda'')
; water : water (''Vellam'')
; beer : beer (''beer'')
; red/white wine : red/white wine (''chuvanna/Velutha Veenjhu'')
; May I have some _____? : May I have some _____? (''Kurachu....Tharamo?'')
; salt : salt (''uppu'')
; black pepper : black pepper (''Kurumulaku'')
; butter : butter (''venna'')
; Excuse me, waiter? (''getting attention of server''): Excuse me, waiter? (''hello/Chetta..'')
; I'm finished. : I'm finished. (''Njan Mathiyakkuvaa'')
; It was delicious. : It was delicious. (''Gambeeram...'')
; Please clear the plates. : Please clear the plates. (''Paathrangal Edutholooo..'')
; The check, please. : The check, please. (''Check thannalum'')
Bars
; Do you serve alcohol? : Do you serve alcohol? (''ningal madhyam kodukkumo?)''
; Is there table service? : Is there table service? (''...'')
; A beer/two beers, please. : A beer/two beers, please. (''randu beer tharoo'')
; A glass of red/white wine, please. : A glass of red/white wine, please. (''Oru glass chuvanna/Velutha veenjhu tharaamo...'')
; A pint, please. : A pint, please. (''Oru pint tharamo'')
; A bottle, please. : A bottle, please. (''Oru Kuppy tharamo'')
; _____ (''hard liquor'') and _____ (''mixer''), please. : _____ and _____, please. (''...'')
; whiskey : whiskey (''Whiskey'')
; vodka : vodka (''vodka'')
; rum : rum (''rum'')
; water : water (''Vellam'')
; club soda : club soda (''...'')
; tonic water : tonic water (''...'')
; orange juice : orange juice (''...'')
; Coke (''soda'') : Coke (''...'')
; Do you have any bar snacks? : Do you have any bar snacks? (''Thottu-koottan enthengilum undo'')
; One more, please. : One more, please. (''onnum koodi please'')
; Another round, please. : Another round, please. (''Orennam koodi'')
; When is closing time? : 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 villa)
; 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 ethu 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 dooshathinulla 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. (''peena'')
; ...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'')
..............5555555687
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. (''Vaidhyudhigamanaagamananiyandhrayandhram'') (Literal meaning: Electricity going on and off machine)