Spoken Malayalam phrases

How to Say "Cold" and "Hot" in Malayalam

Casual, everyday Malayalam — not textbook. By Dr. Reshmi R Nair, PhD.

തണുപ്പ് / ചൂട്
Thanuppu / Choodu — Cold / Hot

In short: In Malayalam, "cold" is തണുപ്പ് (thanuppu) and "hot" is ചൂട് (choodu). For weather: ഇന്ന് നല്ല തണുപ്പുണ്ട് (innu nalla thanuppundu) ("it's quite cold today") or നല്ല ചൂടാ (nalla choodaa) ("it's really hot").

Variations & related phrases

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
തണുപ്പ്ThanuppuCold / coldness
ചൂട്ChooduHot / heat
നല്ല തണുപ്പുണ്ട്Nalla thanuppunduIt's quite cold
നല്ല ചൂടാNalla choodaaIt's really hot

When & how to use it

Use thanuppu/choodu for both weather and things like food and water. Thanutha vellam = cold water; chootu vellam = hot water.

Example sentences

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
ഇന്ന് നല്ല തണുപ്പുണ്ട്, ജാക്കറ്റ് എടുക്കണം.Innu nalla thanuppundu, jacket edukkanam.It's cold today, take a jacket.
വെള്ളം ചൂടാണോ?Vellam choodaano?Is the water hot?

Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 17 - Weather & Small Talk in the free Listen & Learn library — every line has a Malayalam, romanised and English transcript.

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RRN
Dr. Reshmi R Nair, PhD

Teaches casual, everyday spoken Malayalam to beginners, NRIs, partners of Malayalis and travellers — never stiff textbook Malayalam.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say cold in Malayalam?

Cold is തണുപ്പ് (thanuppu).

How do you say hot in Malayalam?

Hot is ചൂട് (choodu).

What does thanuppu mean?

തണുപ്പ് (thanuppu) means "cold" or "coldness" - used for weather, water and food.

How do you say it's cold today in Malayalam?

Say ഇന്ന് നല്ല തണുപ്പുണ്ട് (innu nalla thanuppundu).