Kerala is one of the popular traveler  hubs in India. Every year thousands and thousands of tourists visit the state to soak in its eccentric beauty. Located in the southern part of India, it is a must entry into the bucket list of travel enthusiasts.

Kerala offers a bit of everything – from misty hill stations and lush tea plantations to peaceful backwaters, wildlife reserves, and golden beaches. It’s an ideal destination for a first-time traveler to India seeking nature, culture, and relaxation all in one trip.  Besides its local cuisine is delectable and alluring.

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Magic of Malayalam Letters -A beautiful collage celebrating the soul of the language!

But to win over its local people and mingle with the culture, it is very much essential to learn the state language and learn Kerala language words in basic Malayalam. The reason being that the majority of the locals speak Malayalam and no other language, and hence it’s sometimes tough interacting or conversing with them. Even if not in fluency, but better to learn some of the key words to ease the communication,

Kerala Language words in Malayalam and English

Being aware of the basic greetings is vital since you may need to communicate with the locals. The phrases or words will help you to initiate conversations and receive attention. They will help you in your local trips and you may gain some good friends among the natives, which may eventually ease your vacation.

The Advantages of Learning the language of Kerala while you visit Kerala

Some people say Malayalam is a tough language to learn and the toughest in the world.

Once you are in Kerala, if you know how to speak the state language then your vacation is bound to be seamless and hassle-free and you will get positivity and warmth from people. Locals will open up more and will be willing to help you once you connect to them. You can establish a connection with the locals, their culture, their habitat, their history, their traditions, and customs. Strolling across the state at its sightseeing spots is easier and comfortable. You will be able to handle emergencies smoothly, approach the tour operators easily, and even stand at a better position when interacting with the hotels and transport providers. Commute will be error-free, exploring the state will be faster. You will be able to approach for any kind of emergency easily and seek some help from doctors, police, or even the embassy.

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Two basic greetings to learn if you are visiting Kerala

Here are two words to Learn and when to ask them

Sukhamano? – How are you doing?

“Sukhamāṇo?” literally means “Are you comfortable?” and is used politely to ask, “How are you?”

You can ask this to anyone with a smile

Nandhi- Thank You

“Nandi” literally means “thanks” and is used warmly to express gratitude and appreciation in Malayalam.

You should learn these two words if you are planning for a Kerala visit and you will get responses in smiles and head nods from people in Kerala

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List of  simple Malayalam words  in English for basic greetings

1. Halo meaning Hello
2. Hai meaning Hi
3. Nandi meaning Thank You
4. Dayavaayi meaning Please
5. Athe meaning Yes
6. Illa meaning No
7. Suprabhatham meaning Good Morning
8. Shubha Raathri meaning Good Night
9. Sandhya Samayam meaning Good Evening
10. Sukhamaano meaning How are you?
11. If someone asks How are you, your answer is Njaan sukhamaanu nandi, meaning I am fine, thank you.
12. Kshamikkane meaning Excuse Me
13. Ningalkennu kaananath saanthosham meaning Nice to meet you
14. Ningalude peru enthaan meaning What is your name
15. And if someone asks your name, your answer will be Ente peru <your name> aanu
16. Valare Nandi for Thank you very much
17. Ninakku swagatham meaning You are welcome
18. Vishamikkenda meaning Don’t worry
19. Pinne kaanam meaning See you later
20. Vida meaning Goodbye
21. Nallathuvaratte meaning Good luck
22. If someone has sneezed and says sorry, then you reply as Ningale anugrahikkunnu, meaning Bless you.
23. Abhinandanangal meaning Congratulations
24. If you want to wish someone Happy Birthday, then you need to say Janmadinaashamsakal.
25. If you are visiting Kerala during Onam, then you must know how to wish Happy Onam, it is Onam aashamsakal
26. Enikku manassilakkunilla meaning I do not understand
27. If you want to praise Kerala as a tourist, then you must say Enikku Kerala ishtamaanu
28. Ningal enne sahayikkumo – Can you help me?

How to start conversations with a Keralite ?

If you are eager to initiate a conversation with the locals and be friendly with them, then you must learn the common words for interactions. You may even get connected with the local communities and know more about their culture and livelihood.

Here are some of the keywords or phrases to be aware of:

1. Nee enthu cheyyunnu meaning What are you doing?
2. Nee evide ninnu varunnu meaning Where are you from?
3. If you are asked where you are from? Then your answer is njaan <place> ninnaanu
4. Ningalkku ethravayassundu, meaning how old are you
5. And if someone asks you the question above, the answer will be njaan <your age> vayass
6. Ningal evide paakunnu meaning Where are you going
7. Ningal evideyaano thaamasikkunnathu meaning Do you live here?
8. Ninakku evide ishtamaaneaa meaning do you like here
9. If someone asks the above question, your answer will be athe, enikkivide ishtamaanu meaning you like it here
10. Ningalude thozhil enthaanu meaning What is your occupation?
11. Innu nalla divasamaanu meaning today is a nice day
12. If you want to ask an email address, or phone number, or address, then you start with “Enthaanu ningalude….”
13. Enthrakaalamaayiningalevide meaning For how long are you here
14. Njaan moonnu divasam or aazchakal evideyundu meaning I am here for three days or weeks
15. Bandham pularthuka meaning keep in touch
16. Ningale kandumuttiyathil valare sandoshamundu, meaning it has been great meeting you

Kerala language words- Days in Malayalam

1. Njaayaraazcha – Sunday
2. Thinkalaazcha – Monday
3. Chovvaazcha – Tuesday
4. Budhanaazcha – Wednesday
5. Vyaazhaazcha – Thursday
6. Velliyaazcha – Friday
7. Shaniyaazcha – Saturday

Kerala language words- Seasons in Malayalam

1. venalkkaalam– Summer
2. sharathkaalam– Autumn
3. sheethakaalam– Winter

Kerala language words related to travel

Some phrases are essential for a traveler to be acquainted with while traveling in Kerala. The main reason is that you may be stuck on a road, lost, or looking for a hotel or even a bathroom. If you cannot communicate in an emergency, then you may end up ruining your entire vacation.

So here are some of the key phrases or words for you to remember in the local language:

1. Enikku [name of the place] pokanam – I want to go to [name of the place]
2. Ivide aduthu oru hotel undo – Is there a nearby hotel
3. Kulimuri evide – Where is the bathroom
4. Enikku oru doctor veendum – I need a doctor
5. Epole samayam – What time is it
6. Njaan vazhi thetti – I am lost
7. Ithinu ethra vila – How much is the cost
8. Enikku oru taxi venam – I need a taxi
9. bas / train / vimaanam appol purappedum – What time does the bus / train / flight leave
10. enikku evide iranganam – I want to get off here.
11. ithu ethramaathram thaamasikkum – How long will it be delayed
12. pothugathagathathil namukku avideyethaan kazhiyumo – Can we get there by public transport
13. ee seettu soujanyamaano – Is this seat free
14. enikku van ve / retten tikketu labhikkumo – Can I have a one-way / return ticket, please
15. enikku oru edanaazhi / oru vindo seettu venam – I would like an aisle / a window seat
16. enikku oru divasam / prathivaara tikketu labhikkumo – Can I get a day / weekly ticket
17. tikketu raddaakkanum / mattaanum / sthireekarikkanum njaan aagrahikkunnu, dayavaayi – I would like to cancel / change / confirm my ticket, please
18. bas staaappu evideyaanu – Where is the bus stop
19. oru bas nambar enthaanu – What is the bus number
20. ethu basaanu (sationilekku) pokunnathu – Which bus goes to (the station)
21. adutha stoppu enthaanu – What is the next stop
22. ethu plattfomil ninnaanu train purappedunnathu – Which platform does the train leave from
23. ithu ethu station aanu – What station is this
24. ettavum aduthulla bhoogarbha / sabve / metro station evideyaanu – Where is the nearest underground / subway / metro station
25. taxy staanat evideyaanu – Where is the taxi stand
26. ithinu enthu vila varum – How much does this cost
27. evide nirthuka – Stop here
28. dayavaayi enikku oru raseethu tharaamo – Can you give me a receipt, please
29. dayavaayi meter onakkuka – Please turn on the meter
30. enikku oru kizhivu tharaamo – Can you give me a discount

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Malayalam words related to Food

1. Meen – Fish
2. Pothirachi – Beef
3. Panniyarachi – Pork
4. Aatirachi – Mutton
5. Kozhi – Chicken
6. Irachi – Meat
7. Pachakari – Vegetables
8. Kofi – Coffee
9. Chaaya – Tea
10. Vellam – Water
11. Maamsaaharam – Nonvegetarian
12. Sasyaaharam – Vegetarian
13. Enikku menu kaanamo – Can I have the menu
14. Bhakshanam ruchikaramaanu – The food is delicious

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Numbers in Malayalam

1. Poojyam – zero
2. Onnu – One
3. Randu – Two
4. Moonnu – Three
5. Naalu – Four
6. Anju – Five
7. Aat – Six
8. Ezhu – Seven
9. Ettu – Eight
10. Ombathu – Nine
11. Pathu – Ten
12. Irupathu – Twenty
13. Muppathu – Thirty
14. Naalpathu – Forty
15. Ambathu – Fifty
16. Arupathu – Sixty
17. Ezhupathu – Seventy
18. Enpathu – Eighty
19. Thonnoot – Ninety
20. Nut – Hundred
21. Kuravu – less
22. Kooduthal – more
23. Ara – half
24. Allam – all
25. Onnumilla –  none
26. Chila – some
27. Pala – many

Accommodation related phrases

Selecting the appropriate hotel or homestay or even a camp site is important while touring Kerala. You may need to shift accommodation or look for an emergency stay. Hence it is good to know some of the local phrases to use while roaming around.

 

1. oru hottal evideyaanu – Where is the hotel
2. ningalkku iratta / otta / faamili room undo – Do you have a double / single / family room
3. oru raathrikku ethra chelavaakum – How much is it per night
4. prabhaathabhakshanam ulppeduthiyittundaaa – Is breakfast included
5. dayavaayi oru muri booku cheyyaan njaan aagrahikkunnu – I would like to book a room
6. evide wirles intarnettu aaksas undo – Do have internet access
7. enikku ente thaakkol labhikkumo – Can I have my key please
8. ethu samayathaanu checouttu – What time do I check out
9. enikkaayi oru taxy vilikkaamo – Can you call a cab for me
10. chooduvellamilla – There is no hot water
11. ningalkku iratta / otta / faamili room undo – Do you have a double / single / family room
12. ee vellam kudikkaamehaa – Is the water drinkable
13. ningalude upachaarathinu nandi – Thank you for your hospitality

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Phrases related to Shopping

Shopping is an inherent part of all travels and if you cannot do that comfortably, you may not be satisfied. It is important to know some of the common local phrases related to shopping, which will guide not only to shop well but to bargain appropriately.

Here are the key phrases to remember:

1. oru supermaarkketu evideyaanu – Where is a supermarket
2. Ningal credit card sweekarikkunnundo – Do you accept credit cards
3. Vila kurakkamo – Can you reduce the price
4. Ethramaathramaanithu – How much is it
5. Njaan ith vaangum – I will buy it
6. enikku oru baag tharaamo – Can I have a bag please
7. enikku oru raseethu tharaamo – Can I have a receipt please
8. enikku ente panam thirike venam, dayavaayi – I would like my money back
9. dayavaayi ithu thirike nalkaan njaan aagrahikkunnu – I would like to return this, please

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Important Phrases required for emergency purposes

1. Thee – Fire
2. Sahayikku – Help
3. Kallan – Thief
4. Nirthuka – Stop
5. dayavaayi njangale/enne sahaayikkaamo – Can you help us / me
6. police station evideyaanu – Where is the police station
7. ente vaalattu mehashtikkappettu – My wallet has been stolen
8. Police vilikku – Call the police
9. njaan kollayadikkappettirikkunnu – I have been robbed
10. oru apakadam sambhavichirikkunnu – There has been an accident
11. oru aambulans vilikkuka – Call the ambulance
12. oru doctare – Call the doctor
13. avan/aval aakramikkappettu – He or she has been assaulted
14. enikku ente embasiyumaayi bandhappedanam – I want to connect my embassy
15. enikku oru abhibhashakane vilikkaamo – Can I call a lawyer

How to learn Kerala Language words in Malayalam online

In this article, you will be familiar with the key words or phrases in Malayalam. But if you really want to gain a good grasp of the language, then it is better to learn the language online. There are several ways to do that:

1. You can watch some of the Malayalam movies, TV shows, web series, etc, with the subtitles on in our television. This will help you to learn the key phrases very fast, and you will be habituated with the pronunciations as well as the usage.
2. Download any of the apps that teach you different languages like Babbel, Duolingo. You can decide the expertise level and the pace by which you want to learn the language. These apps provide you with step by step guidance in your language learning journey.
3. You can register for some online courses where instructors will guide you with the learning. Online courses have a proper and structured agenda with mock tests.
4. Some platforms provide you the opportunity to engage in conversations with native language speakers like HelloTalk, Tandem, etc. These platforms help you gain fluency in the language and you can converse well with the locals.
5. If you are facing issues in memorizing the phrases and words, you can check out the flashcards tools like Anki.

 

So if you are planning for a vacation into this wondrous state, ensure to pre-plan for a language crash course, either referring to this article or some of the recommended ways as referred here. You will surely be in a much advantageous position compared to a person who is ignorant of the language Malayalam. There are two most crucial benefits to it – one is the confort in the trip and the other is you will never be fooled in an unknown place. Besides, you will add one language to your learning curve, which, if improved upon, may lead to much more fluency. You may eventually converse efficiently with a Keralite, and thus gain more friends or more travel companions.