Are you traveling to Kerala to enjoy the lavish greens and blues this season? Well, I can’t blame you. Who doesn’t want to take a break and sit back between mother nature and breezy beaches in God’s very own country? Well, you’re lucky because Kerala is known for its natural wonders! In fact, hundreds of people visit this place to feel the true art of God. But hold on! Have you learned some Malayalam travel phrases yet? If not, today’s post will shoo away all your worries!
While traveling to a beautiful state can be mesmerizing, a different mother tongue and the language barrier can be frustrating. Especially when Malayali people embrace their Malayalam language to the core, you can only use English for so long. So, to beat such desperate times without any trouble and speak Malayalam phrases like a local, today’s blog is here to help you. From standard greeting terms like നമസ്കാരം (Nah-mah-SKAH-ram) to emergency Malayalam words like എന്നെ സഹായിക്കൂ (enne sahāyikkū), you will learn all the essential phrases that a traveler must know. So, if you want to learn more, continue reading!
Kerala Travel Tips
If this is your first time traveling to Kerala, I suggest you go through some travel tips before we hop onto the necessary Malayalam translations. Here’s the list that can help!
- Research the best time to visit Kerala = While the South Indian state of India is known to be pleasant throughout, the best time is during the winter. During this season, various flora and fauna rise and spread across the country, making the state the epitome of natural beauty. Many waterfalls like Soochipara and other winter landscapes can mesmerize newcomers to the essence. However, if there is a time constraint, any period can be the best period to visit the beautiful state.
- Check the dress code = While there is no strict dress code, it is better to avoid revealing clothes. Nudity is strictly not allowed in the state. However, you can wear shorts, cropped tops, and even fitting outfits to cafes, beaches, and hotels. Especially if you are traveling in the summer season, cotton t-shirts, sunglasses, and sunscreen lotion are some must-haves to experience the best under Kerala’s climate.
- Have some Indian rupee during your travel = Kerala is a cash-based country, so it’s a must for you to have a few bills ready during your travel. Fortunately, you can exchange currency at any time, as there are several centers that can accommodate you. If you have an international credit card, you can also bring one.
- Malayam language can help out = While many of the locals can also speak English, learning the basics of Malayalam can make communication easier. It can also help show respect for their culture and also experience a vacation like no other.
Essential Malayalam Travel Phrases
In this section, we’ll go through all the must-know travel phrases to help you navigate the state smoothly. From greetings to transportation, you will learn the best sentences to help your journey become smoother. Let’s start!
Greeting Phrases In The Malayalam Language
Here is a list of greeting and conversational phrases that will help you get along with your new friends in the new place. Just like the traditional Indian greeting, even Keralites use praying hands in front of their chest to greet and show respect to people. So, with the required words, make sure you follow their customary gestures.
| English | Malayalam | Pronunciation |
| Hello! | ഹലോ!/ നമസ്കാരം | halēā!/ Nah-mah-SKAH-ram |
| Good morning/ Good evening | സുപ്രഭാതം/ ശുഭരാത്രി | suprabhātaṁ/ śubharātri |
| Goodnight, sleep well | ശുഭരാത്രി നന്നായി ഉറങ്ങു | śubharātri nannāyi uṟaṅṅu |
| How are you? | എങ്ങനെയിരിക്കുന്നു? | eṅṅaneyirikkunnu? |
| I am doing great! | ഞാൻ നന്നായി ചെയ്യുന്നു! | ñān nannāyi ceyyunnu! |
| What is your name? | നിങ്ങളുടെ പേരു എന്താണു? | ningalude peru enthaanu |
| My name is… | എന്റെ പേര്… | ente peru… |
| Where are you from? | നീ എവിടെ നിന്ന് വരുന്നു? | nī eviṭe ninn varunnu? |
| Do you speak English? | നീ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് സംസാരിക്കുമോ? | nī iṅglīṣ sansārikkumēā? |
| I understand | ഞാൻ മനസ്സിലാക്കുന്നു | ñān manas’silākkunnu |
| Excuse me/ sorry | ക്ഷമിക്കണം/ ക്ഷമിക്കണം | kṣamikkaṇaṁ/ kṣamikkaṇaṁ |
| Cheers! | ചിയേഴ്സ്! | ciyēḻs |
| I don’t know | എനിക്കറിയില്ല | enikkaṟiyilla |
| Thank you very much | വളരെയധികം നന്ദി | vaḷareyadhikaṁ nandi |
| Welcome | സ്വാഗതം | svāgataṁ |
| See you later! | പിന്നെ കാണാം! | pinne kāṇāṁ! |
| Goodbye | വിട | viṭa |
Want to learn more about Malayalam greetings? Here is a comprehensive guide.
Malayalam Phrases For Directions
Traveling to a new city, you will surely get lost once in a while. Especially with Kerala’s twisted roads, Google Maps will take you only a short distance. So, to help yourself in such dire situations, the following spoken phrases will help you communicate with the locals. Memorize them for a safe journey!
| English | Malayalam | Pronunciation |
| Directions | ദിശകൾ | diśakaḷ |
| I’m lost | എനിക്ക് നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടു | enikk naṣṭappeṭṭu |
| Is it close? | അടുത്താണോ? | aṭuttāṇēā? |
| Turn left/ Turn right | ഇടത്തേക്ക് തിരിയുക / വലത്തേക്ക് തിരിയുക | iṭattēkk tiriyuka / valattēkk tiriyuka |
| Which way? | ഏതു വഴി? | ētu vaḻi? |
| Where am I? | ഞാൻ എവിടെയാണ്? | ñān eviṭeyāṇ? |
| Where is… | എവിടെ… | eviṭe… |
| South/ North | തെക്ക് / വടക്ക് | tekk / vaṭakk |
| East/ West | കിഴക്ക്/ പടിഞ്ഞാറ് | kiḻakk/ paṭiññāṟ |
| Straight ahead | തൊട്ടു മുന്നിൽ | teāṭṭu munnil |
| Can you direct me? | നിങ്ങൾക്ക് എന്നെ നയിക്കാമോ? | niṅṅaḷkk enne nayikkāmēā? |
| Where are you? | നീ എവിടെ ആണ്? | nī eviṭe āṇ? |
| Which turn should I take? | ഞാൻ ഏത് ടേൺ എടുക്കണം? | ñān ēt ṭēṇ eṭukkaṇaṁ? |
| Is this towards… | ഇത് നേരെയാണോ… | it nēreyāṇēā… |
| Is this place far? | ഈ സ്ഥലം ദൂരെയാണോ? | ī sthalaṁ dūreyāṇēā? |
| Which road is this? | ഇത് ഏത് റോഡാണ്? | it ēt ṟēāḍāṇ? |
Basic Malayalam Phrases For Transportation
If you plan to take public transport for cheap travel in Kerala, you will have many puzzling questions. The best way to solve them is by asking for assistance from the locals. So, this blog has prepared the following expressions to help you find your way to your desired destination.
| English | Malayalam | Pronunciation |
| Transportation | ഗതാഗതം | gatāgataṁ |
| Is the bus/ train delayed? | ബസ്/ട്രെയിൻ വൈകിയോ? | bas/ṭreyin vaikiyēā? |
| Where is the train/ bus station? | ട്രെയിൻ/ബസ് സ്റ്റേഷൻ എവിടെയാണ്? | ṭreyin/bas sṟṟēṣan eviṭeyāṇ? |
| I want to book a taxi | എനിക്ക് ഒരു ടാക്സി ബുക്ക് ചെയ്യണം | enikk oru ṭāksi bukk ceyyaṇaṁ |
| Can I get a ticket to… | എനിക്ക് ടിക്കറ്റ് കിട്ടുമോ… | enikk ṭikkaṟṟ kiṭṭumēā… |
| Is my ticket cancelled? | എന്റെ ടിക്കറ്റ് റദ്ദാക്കിയിട്ടുണ്ടോ? | enṟe ṭikkaṟṟ ṟaddākkiyiṭṭuṇṭēā? |
| Where will this train go to? | ഈ ട്രെയിൻ എവിടെ പോകും? | ī ṭreyin eviṭe pēākuṁ? |
| Where is the ticket window? | ടിക്കറ്റ് വിൻഡോ എവിടെയാണ്? | ṭikkaṟṟ vinḍēā eviṭeyāṇ? |
| I would like to purchase a return ticket | ഒരു മടക്ക ടിക്കറ്റ് വാങ്ങാൻ ഞാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു | oru maṭakka ṭikkaṟṟ vāṅṅān ñān āgrahikkunnu |
| Can I book a ticket for two? | എനിക്ക് രണ്ട് പേർക്ക് ടിക്കറ്റ് ബുക്ക് ചെയ്യാൻ കഴിയുമോ? | enikk raṇṭ pērkk ṭikkaṟṟ bukk ceyyān kaḻiyumēā? |
| Is the train/ bus on time? | ട്രെയിൻ/ബസ് കൃത്യ സമയത്ത് തന്നെയാണോ? | ṭreyin/bas kr̥tya samayatt tanneyāṇēā? |
Ready to learn more words and phrases related to this topic? Read our exclusive guide.
Malayalam Words And Phrases For Shopping
Who doesn’t like shopping in their vacation spot? Hence, to help you get the right items and the proper bargain, here is a phrase list you must read!
| English | Malayalam | Pronunciation |
| How much is this? | ഇത് എത്രമാത്രമാണ്? | it etramātramāṇ? |
| Can you lower the price? | വില കുറയ്ക്കാമോ? | vila kuṟaykkāmēā? |
| Do you have other designs? | നിങ്ങൾക്ക് മറ്റ് ഡിസൈനുകൾ ഉണ്ടോ? | niṅṅaḷkk maṟṟ ḍisainukaḷ uṇṭēā? |
| What is the last price? | അവസാന വില എത്രയാണ്? | avasāna vila etrayāṇ? |
| It is too expensive | ഇത് വളരെ ചെലവേറിയതാണ് | it vaḷare celavēṟiyatāṇ |
| It is too small/ big | ഇത് വളരെ ചെറുതാണ് / വലുതാണ് | it vaḷare ceṟutāṇ / valutāṇ |
| Is there any discount? | എന്തെങ്കിലും കിഴിവ് ഉണ്ടോ? | enteṅkiluṁ kiḻiv uṇṭēā? |
| What is today’s special offer? | ഇന്നത്തെ പ്രത്യേക ഓഫർ എന്താണ്? | innatte pratyēka ōphar entāṇ? |
| Do you take American dollars? | നിങ്ങൽ അമേരിക്കൻ ഡോളർ എടുക്കുമോ? | Ningal American dollars edukumo? |
| Do you accept credit cards? | നിങ്ങൾ ക്രെഡിറ്റ് കാർഡ് സ്വീകരിക്കുമോ? | niṅṅaḷ kreḍiṟṟ kārḍ svīkarikkumēā? |
| I don’t have cash | എന്റെ കയ്യിൽ പണമില്ല | enṟe kayyil paṇamilla |
| When do you close? | നീയെപ്പോഴാണ് അടയ്ക്കുക? | nīyeppēāḻāṇ aṭaykkuka? |
| Is it open? | തുറന്നിട്ടുണ്ടോ? | tuṟanniṭṭuṇṭēā? |
| I want something cheap | എനിക്ക് വിലകുറഞ്ഞ എന്തെങ്കിലും വേണം | enikk vilakuṟañña enteṅkiluṁ vēṇaṁ |
| Do you have… | നിങ്ങൾക്കുണ്ടോ… | niṅṅaḷkkuṇṭēā… |
| That is all | അത്രമാത്രം | atramātraṁ |
Malayalam Restaurant Phrases
Once you land, you will start drooling at traditional food. To best guide yourself with an authentic dining experience, here are some native words to use during your food tour.
| English | Malayalam | Pronunciation |
| Do you have free tables? | നിങ്ങൾക്ക് സൗജന്യ പട്ടികകൾ ഉണ്ടോ? | niṅṅaḷkk sajan’ya paṭṭikakaḷ uṇṭēā? |
| I want a table for… | എനിക്കൊരു മേശ വേണം… | enikkeāru mēśa vēṇaṁ… |
| Can I have the menu, please? | എനിക്ക് മെനു ലഭിക്കുമോ? | enikk menu labhikkumēā? |
| What do you recommend? | നിങ്ങൾ എന്താണ് ശുപാർശ ചെയ്യുന്നത്? | niṅṅaḷ entāṇ śupārśa ceyyunnat? |
| Do you serve french cuisine? | നിങ്ങൾ ഫ്രഞ്ച് വിഭവങ്ങൾ വിളമ്പുന്നുണ്ടോ? | niṅṅaḷ phrañc vibhavaṅṅaḷ viḷampunnuṇṭēā? |
| I don’t eat meat | ഞാൻ മാംസം കഴിക്കാറില്ല | ñān mānsaṁ kaḻikkāṟilla |
| Do you have vegetarian items? | നിങ്ങളുടെ പക്കൽ വെജിറ്റേറിയൻ ഇനങ്ങൾ ഉണ്ടോ? | niṅṅaḷuṭe pakkal vejiṟṟēṟiyan inaṅṅaḷ uṇṭēā? |
| Can I have a bottle of water? | എനിക്ക് ഒരു കുപ്പി വെള്ളം കിട്ടുമോ? | enikk oru kuppi veḷḷaṁ kiṭṭumēā? |
| One more, please! | ദയവായി ഒന്നു കൂടി! | dayavāyi onnu kūṭi! |
| I would like to order again | ഞാൻ വീണ്ടും ഓർഡർ ചെയ്യാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു | ñān vīṇṭuṁ ōrḍar ceyyān āgrahikkunnu |
| How long will it take? | എത്ര സമയമെടുക്കും? | etra samayameṭukkuṁ? |
| Is the food ready? | ഭക്ഷണം തയ്യാറാണോ? | bhakṣaṇaṁ tayyāṟāṇēā? |
| Can I change my order, please? | എനിക്ക് എന്റെ ഓർഡർ മാറ്റാമോ? | enikk enṟe ōrḍar māṟṟāmēā? |
| Thank you for your service | നിങ്ങളുടെ സേവനത്തിന് നന്ദി | niṅṅaḷuṭe sēvanattin nandi |
| The food is delicious | ഭക്ഷണം സ്വാദിഷ്ടമാണ് | bhakṣaṇaṁ svādiṣṭamāṇ |
| I like the decor | എനിക്ക് അലങ്കാരം ഇഷ്ടമാണ് | enikk alaṅkāraṁ iṣṭamāṇ |
Emergency Malayalam Phrases
Emergencies can strike anytime and anywhere. So, discover some of the vital help phrases in this section. For detailed learning, check out Malayalam Emergency phrases.
| English | Malayalam | Pronunciation |
| Let me use your phone | ഞാൻ നിങ്ങളുടെ ഫോൺ ഉപയോഗിക്കട്ടെ | njaan ningalude phone upayogichotte |
| Please help me | എന്നെ സഹായിക്കൂ | enne sahāyikkū |
| Call the doctor | ഡോക്ടറെ വിളിക്കൂ | ḍēākṭaṟe viḷikkū |
| Where is the hospital? | ആശുപത്രി എവിടെയാണ്? | āśupatri eviṭeyāṇ? |
| Call the ambulance | ആംബുലൻസിനെ വിളിക്കുക | āmbulansine viḷikkuka |
| Can anyone help me? | ആരെങ്കിലും എന്നെ സഹായിക്കുമോ? | āreṅkiluṁ enne sahāyikkumēā? |
| I need your assistance | എനിക്ക് നിങ്ങളുടെ സഹായം വേണം | enikk niṅṅaḷuṭe sahāyaṁ vēṇaṁ |
Wrapping Up!
Congratulations! You have learned all the essential lines and words to help you tour the state without barriers and bond with the locals with your skillful personality. Suppose you continue to explore more such content to improve your insights and knowledge regarding the Malayalam language. In that case, I suggest you download the Ling app from Appstore or Play Store. Being the most helpful language-learning app, Ling will serve all your interests with just a few clicks. Ready to discover more?
Learn With Ling App
Ling app is not something that will take you by surprise. But it has the content to take your skill level to a surprising new height. With content in 60+ languages on topics like airport vocabulary, business, culture, accommodation, and food, Ling offers so much more than you will ever know.
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