▶ Hear it spoken by a native voice.
In short: To say "I want this", say എനിക്ക് ഇത് വേണം (enikku ithu venam). The key word is വേണം (venam) ("want / need"). To say you don't want something: വേണ്ട (venda).
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| എനിക്ക് ഇത് വേണം | Enikku ithu venam | I want this |
| എനിക്ക് ... വേണം | Enikku ... venam | I want / need ... |
| വേണ്ട | Venda | No / don't want |
| ഇത് മതി | Ithu mathi | This is enough |
When & how to use it
Put what you want before venam: enikku vellam venam ("I want water"). For "no / don't want", use venda.
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| എനിക്ക് ഒരു ചായ വേണം. | Enikku oru chaaya venam. | I want a tea. |
| എരിവ് വേണ്ട, ട്ടോ. | Erivu venda, tto. | No spice, please. |
Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 11 - At a Restaurant 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 want this in Malayalam?
Say എനിക്ക് ഇത് വേണം (enikku ithu venam).
What is the Malayalam word for want?
"Want / need" is വേണം (venam).
How do you say I don't want it?
Say വേണ്ട (venda).
How do you say I want water in Malayalam?
Say എനിക്ക് വെള്ളം വേണം (enikku vellam venam).