Basic Terms for Communications

Malayalam Basic Terms of Communication translated in English

Following is the list of basic terms of communication in English which are converted in Malayalam Language.

Hello : 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? : sukhamaano? (Literal meaning: Are you fine/comfortable?)
or, Enthokkeyundu / Enth okke undu? (Literaly, What all are there?)

I am not fine : Enikku sukham illa

Yes, thank you. : Ssherri/Athe, Nanni.

I am fine. : Enikku sukhamaanu.

What is your name? : 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(greeting). : (formal) Swaagatham; (informal) varu varu / varanam varanam.

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 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”.

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 !

I did not understand. : Kshamikkanam Enikku manassilaayilla / manassilaayilla

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)

Wake up  : Eneekku (slang) / 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 : Enikku ninne ishtam alla. OR 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? : Ningalkethra vayassayi?

I am hungry : Enikku vishakunnu

Where can I get some water? : Enikku alpam vellam evide kittum? OR kurachu vellam tharumo? (literal: Can you give me a little water?)

Hospital : Aashupathri

Can we go for a movie? : Namukku oru cinemekku pokaamo?

What is the matter?: Entha karyam?

I forgot: Njan Marannu

I don’t know: Enikku ariyilla (r as in Rough)

Later: Pinneedu/Pinne

After: Kazhinjittu/shesham

Before: Mumbu /Munpu

Wait: Onnu Nilku

One question: Oru chodhyam