Spoken Malayalam phrases

How to Say "Money" in Malayalam

Casual, everyday Malayalam — not textbook. By Dr. Reshmi R Nair, PhD.

പണം
Panam — Money

In short: The Malayalam word for "money" is പണം (panam); casually people also say പൈസ (paisa). Rupees are രൂപ (roopa), and "change" is ബാക്കി (baakki).

Variations & related phrases

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
പണംPanamMoney
പൈസPaisaMoney / cash (casual)
രൂപRoopaRupees
ബാക്കിBaakkiChange

When & how to use it

You'll use paisa daily in shops. To pay: ithaa paisa ("here's the money"); to ask for change: baakki tharane.

Example sentences

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
എന്റെ കയ്യിൽ പൈസ ഇല്ല.Ente kayyil paisa illa.I don't have money on me.
ഇതാ പൈസ, ബാക്കി തരണേ.Ithaa paisa, baakki tharane.Here's the money, give me the change.

Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 2 - At the Tea Shop in the free Listen & Learn library — every line has a Malayalam, romanised and English transcript.

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RRN
Dr. Reshmi R Nair, PhD

Teaches casual, everyday spoken Malayalam to beginners, NRIs, partners of Malayalis and travellers — never stiff textbook Malayalam.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Malayalam word for money?

Money is പണം (panam); casually പൈസ (paisa).

How do you say rupees in Malayalam?

Rupees is രൂപ (roopa).

How do you ask for change in Malayalam?

Say ബാക്കി തരണേ (baakki tharane).

How do you say I have no money?

Say എന്റെ കയ്യിൽ പൈസ ഇല്ല (ente kayyil paisa illa).