Are you travelling to Kochi or anywhere in Kerala for a vacation or a business trip? While I’m sure you will enjoy the lovely backwaters, lush greenery and all the opportunities God’s Own Country has to offer, there will also be this feeling that you cannot understand this new language being spoken all around you. From auto drivers to shopkeepers to homestay hosts, everyone around you speaks Malayalam, and you want to learn enough Malayalam to get by.
The good news is that learning Malayalam is not too difficult with the right guidance! And that’s exactly what I’m here to do for you today. This article will give you the 30 most essential survival Malayalam phrases every newcomer to Kerala must know, and will tell you how to learn Malayalam. These phrases will make your life easier and help you navigate the state right from Day 1!
Furthermore, Kochi and tourist hotspots run on Manglish or Malayalam plus English, not necessarily pure Malayalam, and that’s how we’ve designed these essential Malayalam phrases too – not pure textbook Malayalam, but natural sentences that you can actually speak with locals.
So come, Varu, let’s get started!
30 Essential Survival Malayalam Phrases
1. Namaskaram – Hello
Pronounced Na-mas-kaara-m, and said with a hands-closed Namaste gesture Simple, friendly, and safe to use anywhere.
Example: “Namaskaram uncle, Namaskaram aunty!”
2. Oonu kazhicho? – Have you had lunch?
One of the most Kerala things you will hear in the state. This is often used in place of “Hello” or “Namaskaram”. “Oonu” refers to the traditional lunch meal, and “Kazhicho” means “Have you eaten?”
Example: “Namaskaram sir! Oonu kazhicho?”
3. Cheyyu – Do
The most powerful Malayalam word for survival! Add Cheyyu to any English word to turn it into Malayalam.
Example: “Discount cheyyu”, “Wait cheyyu”, “Bill cheyyu”, “Email cheyyu”, “Call cheyyu”, “Exchange cheyyu”, “Repair cheyyu”, “Adjust cheyyu”.
4. Ethraya? – How much?
Pronounced Eth-ra-yaa. Perfect for shopping, autos, and buses.
Example: “Chetta, Bisleri Water Bottle ethraya?”
5. Sugham-ano? – How are you, or, Are you ok?
The standard way to say How are you in Malayalam
Example: “Namaskaram uncle! Sughamano?”
6. Sugham-anu – I am fine
Standard reply to I am fine in Malayalam
Example: “Sughamanu, thank you.”
7. Per-entha? – What is your name
Pronounced Peer-en-tha
Example: “Per-entha madam?”
8. Ente peru Mukesh – My name is Mukesh
Replace Mukesh with your own name. Pronounced En-te pe-ru.
Example: “Ente peru Ritu. I am the new guest.”
9. Edukko – Take
Universal word for taking or giving something, including giving directions.
To an auto driver: “Left edukko, right edukko, next signal.” Or at a shop: “5 rupees change edukko, sir.”
10. Tharu – Give
Very useful while shopping or at a restaurant.
Example: “Oru plate masala dosa tharu”
11. Poyi varam – Bye, or I will come back
“Poyi varam” literally means “I’ll go and come back” because in Kerala, you don’t say that you’re just leaving. You’re always implying you’ll return.
Example: “Okay boss, Poyi varam!”
12. Entha – What
Useful for clarifications.
Example: “Entha problem sir?”
13. Evide – Where
Very useful for directions. Pronounced E-vi-de.
Example: “Chetta, boat jetty evide?”
14. Varu – Please Come in, or Welcome
Means “Please come”, but often used like “Welcome”.
Example: “Varu varu… Oonu kazhikkam!” (Come, come let’s have lunch!)
15. Nirthu – Stop
To stop an auto or bus.
Example: “Chetta, left side nirthu.”
16. Athe – Yes
Standard way to say “Yes” in Malayalam
Example: “Athe, Gpay cheythu.” (“Yes, Gpay done”)
17. Illa – No
Standard way to say “No” in Malayalam
Example: “Change illa, Google pay cheyyu.”
18. Venam – Want
Useful when talking to the waiter
Example: “Extra sambar venam”
19. Venda – Don’t want
Example: “Oru coffee, panchasara (sugar) venda.”
20. Mathi – Enough
Keep this word in mind when you order that unlimited Kerala Sadhya.
Example: “Choru (rice) mathi!”
21. Ariyilla – I don’t know
Example: “New to Kerala. Malayalam ariyilla.”
22. Njan Malayalam padikkukayanu – I am learning Malayalam
Example: “Njan Malayalam padikkukayanu sir.”
People love hearing this!
23. Njan Delhi-inna – I am from Delhi
This is the most natural way to introduce where you are from. Replace Delhi with your place.
Example: “Njan Kolkata-inna.”
24. Joli – Work
Useful word that means “work” or “job”.
Example: “Njan IT-yil joli cheyyunnu” (“I work in IT”)
25. Korachu – A little
You’ll hear this everywhere. Pronounced Ko-ra-chu.
Example: “Korachu left”, “Korachu wait cheyyu”, “Korachu adjust cheyyu”, “Korachu Malayalam ariyam”.
26. Kooduthal – More
Opposite of Korachu.
Example: “Choru kooduthal venam”, or “Volume kooduthal cheyyu.”
27. Vellam – Water
Common at homestays, hotels, and restaurants.
Example: “Oru glass vellam”
28. Ivide – Here ; Avide – There
Important for directions. “Ivide” and “Avide” are siblings, just like here and there.
Example: “Auto chetta, ivide right, avide left.”
29. Pokam – Let’s go
You’ll hear this often around lunch break or at the end of the day.
Example: “Varu, canteenil pokam!” (Come let’s go to the canteen)
30. Nanni – Thank you
While people in Kerala use “Thank you” often, “Nanni” is the formal Malayalam word for gratitude. It is simple, short, and very polite.
Quick Recap: Malayalam Survival Phrase List
| Sl no | English Phrase | Malayalam Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hello | Namaskaram |
| 2 | Have you had lunch? | Oonu kazhicho? |
| 3 | Do | Cheyyu |
| 4 | How much? | Ethraya? |
| 5 | How are you / Are you ok? | Sughamano? |
| 6 | I am fine | Sughamanu |
| 7 | What is your name? | Per-entha? |
| 8 | My name is Mukesh | Ente peru Mukesh |
| 9 | Take | Edukko |
| 10 | Give | Tharu |
| 11 | Goodbye / I’ll come back | Poyi varam |
| 12 | What | Entha |
| 13 | Where | Evide |
| 14 | Welcome / Please come | Varu |
| 15 | Stop | Nirthu |
| 16 | Yes | Athe |
| 17 | No | Illa |
| 18 | Want | Venam |
| 19 | Don’t want | Venda |
| 20 | Enough | Mathi |
| 21 | I don’t know | Ariyilla |
| 22 | I am learning Malayalam | Njan Malayalam padikkukayanu |
| 23 | I am from Delhi | Njan Delhi-inna |
| 24 | Work | Joli |
| 25 | A little | Korachu |
| 26 | More | Kooduthal |
| 27 | Water | Vellam |
| 28 | Here / There | Ivide / Avide |
| 29 | Let’s go | Pokam |
| 30 | Thank you | Nanni |
Want to Learn Malayalam Properly in 30 Days?
If you want a structured step-by-step beginner course designed especially for newcomers in Kerala who are absolute beginners in Malayalam, you can continue your learning with Bhashafy’s expertly designed Bestseller course available here:
https://www.udemy.com/course/learn-malayalam/
If you want to practice and learn Malayalam words for free, check out Bhashafy’s free Malayalam vocabulary tool: