In short: To say "I'm just joking", say ഞാൻ തമാശ പറഞ്ഞതാ (njaan thamasha paranjathaa). "Just kidding" is വെറുതെ പറഞ്ഞതാ (veruthe paranjathaa). തമാശ (thamasha) = joke/fun.
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ഞാൻ തമാശ പറഞ്ഞതാ | Njaan thamasha paranjathaa | I was just joking |
| വെറുതെ പറഞ്ഞതാ | Veruthe paranjathaa | Just kidding |
| തമാശയ്ക്ക് പറഞ്ഞതാ | Thamashaykku paranjathaa | Said it for fun |
| സീരിയസ് അല്ല | Serious alla | Not serious |
When & how to use it
If a joke lands wrong, njaan thamasha paranjathaa ("I was joking") smooths it over. Veruthe = "just / for no reason".
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ദേഷ്യപ്പെടണ്ട, ഞാൻ തമാശ പറഞ്ഞതാ! | Deshyappedanda, njaan thamasha paranjathaa! | Don't be mad, I was joking! |
| വെറുതെ പറഞ്ഞതാ, സീരിയസ് അല്ല. | Veruthe paranjathaa, serious alla. | Just kidding, not serious. |
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 I'm joking in Malayalam?
Say ഞാൻ തമാശ പറഞ്ഞതാ (njaan thamasha paranjathaa).
How do you say just kidding in Malayalam?
Say വെറുതെ പറഞ്ഞതാ (veruthe paranjathaa).
What is the Malayalam word for joke?
"Joke / fun" is തമാശ (thamasha).
How do you say it's not serious?
Say സീരിയസ് അല്ല (serious alla).