In short: In Malayalam, "left" is ഇടത് (idathu) and "right" is വലത് (valathu). "Turn left" is ഇടത്തോട്ട് തിരിയൂ (idathottu thiriyoo); "go straight" is നേരെ പോകൂ (nere pokoo).
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ഇടത് | Idathu | Left |
| വലത് | Valathu | Right |
| ഇടത്തോട്ട് തിരിയൂ | Idathottu thiriyoo | Turn left |
| നേരെ പോകൂ | Nere pokoo | Go straight |
When & how to use it
Add -ottu for "towards": idathottu (to the left), valathottu (to the right). Nere = straight ahead.
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| അടുത്ത വളവിൽ വലത്തോട്ട് തിരിയൂ. | Adutha valavil valathottu thiriyoo. | Turn right at the next bend. |
| നേരെ പോയിട്ട് ഇടത്തോട്ട്. | Nere poyittu idathottu. | Go straight, then left. |
Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 9 - Asking for Directions in the free Listen & Learn library — every line has a Malayalam, romanised and English transcript.
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Book a lesson →Frequently asked questions
How do you say left in Malayalam?
Left is ഇടത് (idathu); "turn left" is ഇടത്തോട്ട് തിരിയൂ (idathottu thiriyoo).
How do you say right in Malayalam?
Right is വലത് (valathu).
How do you say go straight in Malayalam?
Say നേരെ പോകൂ (nere pokoo).
How do you say turn right in Malayalam?
Say വലത്തോട്ട് തിരിയൂ (valathottu thiriyoo).