In short: "Good" is നല്ലത് (nallathu) or the adjective നല്ല (nalla) ("a good ___"). To say "nice! / not bad!" casually, use കൊള്ളാം! (kollaam!); for "very good / awesome", അടിപൊളി! (adipoli!).
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| നല്ലത് | Nallathu | Good (a good thing) |
| നല്ല | Nalla | Good (a good ___) |
| കൊള്ളാം! | Kollaam! | Nice! / Not bad! |
| അടിപൊളി! | Adipoli! | Very good! / Awesome! |
When & how to use it
Use nalla before a noun (nalla ruchi = good taste). Kollaam is a relaxed "nice"; adipoli is enthusiastic praise.
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| അത് നല്ലതാ. | Athu nallathaa. | That's good. |
| നല്ല ആശയം, കൊള്ളാം! | Nalla aashayam, kollaam! | Good idea, nice! |
Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 22 - Feelings & Compliments in the free Listen & Learn library — every line has a Malayalam, romanised and English transcript.
Practise speaking it for real
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Book a lesson →Frequently asked questions
How do you say good in Malayalam?
Say നല്ലത് (nallathu), or നല്ല (nalla) before a noun.
How do you say nice in Malayalam?
Say കൊള്ളാം! (kollaam!).
How do you say very good in Malayalam?
Say അടിപൊളി! (adipoli!).
How do you say good idea in Malayalam?
Say നല്ല ആശയം (nalla aashayam).