In short: To ask "how do you say this in Malayalam?", say ഇത് മലയാളത്തിൽ എങ്ങനെ പറയും? (ithu Malayalathil engane parayum?). To ask the meaning: ഇതിന്റെ അർത്ഥം എന്താ? (ithinte artham entha?) ("what does this mean?").
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ഇത് മലയാളത്തിൽ എങ്ങനെ പറയും? | Ithu Malayalathil engane parayum? | How do you say this in Malayalam? |
| ഇതിന്റെ അർത്ഥം എന്താ? | Ithinte artham entha? | What does this mean? |
| ഇത് ശരിയാണോ? | Ithu shariyaano? | Is this correct? |
| ഒന്നൂടെ പറയാമോ? | Onnoode parayaamo? | Can you say it again? |
When & how to use it
This single phrase makes any Malayali your teacher. Follow up with ithinte artham entha? ("what does it mean?") to learn faster.
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ക്ഷമിക്കണം, ഇത് മലയാളത്തിൽ എങ്ങനെ പറയും? | Kshamikkanam, ithu Malayalathil engane parayum? | Sorry, how do you say this in Malayalam? |
| ഇതിന്റെ അർത്ഥം എന്താ? | Ithinte artham entha? | What does this mean? |
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.
Practise speaking it for real
These pages train your ear. A live 1-to-1 lesson with Dr. Reshmi trains your mouth — real-time correction only a teacher can give.
Book a lesson →Frequently asked questions
How do you ask how to say something in Malayalam?
Say ഇത് മലയാളത്തിൽ എങ്ങനെ പറയും? (ithu Malayalathil engane parayum?).
How do you ask what something means?
Say ഇതിന്റെ അർത്ഥം എന്താ? (ithinte artham entha?).
How do you ask is this correct?
Say ഇത് ശരിയാണോ? (ithu shariyaano?).
Why is this phrase useful?
It turns every conversation into a lesson - people love helping learners.