Spoken Malayalam phrases

How to Ask "Do You Speak English?" in Malayalam

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

നിങ്ങൾക്ക് English അറിയാമോ?
Ningalkku English ariyamo? — Do you speak English?

In short: To ask "do you speak English?", say നിങ്ങൾക്ക് English അറിയാമോ? (ningalkku English ariyamo?). The key word is അറിയാമോ? (ariyamo?) ("do you know?"). For Hindi: Hindi അറിയാമോ?

Variations & related phrases

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
നിങ്ങൾക്ക് English അറിയാമോ?Ningalkku English ariyamo?Do you speak English?
English അറിയാമോ?English ariyamo?Know English? (casual)
Hindi അറിയാമോ?Hindi ariyamo?Do you speak Hindi?
എനിക്ക് English അറിയാംEnikku English ariyaamI know English

When & how to use it

Handy for travellers in Kerala. Ariyamo? means "do you know?" - swap in any language or skill.

Example sentences

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
ക്ഷമിക്കണം, നിങ്ങൾക്ക് English അറിയാമോ?Kshamikkanam, ningalkku English ariyamo?Excuse me, do you speak English?
എനിക്ക് കുറച്ച് English അറിയാം.Enikku kurachu English ariyaam.I know a little English.

Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 24 - 'I'm Still Learning Malayalam' (Survival) 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 ask do you speak English in Malayalam?

Say നിങ്ങൾക്ക് English അറിയാമോ? (ningalkku English ariyamo?).

What does ariyamo mean?

"Do you know?" - used to ask about languages and skills.

How do you say I know English in Malayalam?

Say എനിക്ക് English അറിയാം (enikku English ariyaam).

How do you ask do you speak Hindi?

Say Hindi അറിയാമോ? (Hindi ariyamo?).