▶ Hear it spoken by a native voice.
In short: In Malayalam, "mother" is അമ്മ (amma) and "father" is അച്ഛൻ (achan). Other everyday family words: ചേട്ടൻ (chettan) elder brother, ചേച്ചി (chechi) elder sister, അനിയൻ (aniyan) younger brother, അനിയത്തി (aniyathi) younger sister.
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| അമ്മ | Amma | Mother |
| അച്ഛൻ | Achan | Father |
| ചേട്ടൻ · ചേച്ചി | Chettan · Chechi | Elder brother · Elder sister |
| അനിയൻ · അനിയത്തി | Aniyan · Aniyathi | Younger brother · Younger sister |
When & how to use it
Malayalis often address even strangers with family terms — ചേട്ടാ (chetta) "brother" and ചേച്ചീ (chechi) "sister" are polite, warm ways to call a shopkeeper or auto driver. Using them makes you sound natural and friendly.
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| അമ്മ ചോറ് കഴിച്ചോ? | Amma choru kazhicho? | Mom, did you eat? |
| അച്ഛൻ എവിടെയാ? | Achan evideyaa? | Where is Dad? |
Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 16 - Family & Home Talk 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 mother in Malayalam?
Mother is അമ്മ (amma).
How do you say father in Malayalam?
Father is അച്ഛൻ (achan).
What do chettan and chechi mean?
ചേട്ടൻ (chettan) is elder brother and ചേച്ചി (chechi) elder sister — also used politely for strangers.
How do Malayalis address strangers politely?
With family words — ചേട്ടാ (chetta) "brother" or ചേച്ചീ (chechi) "sister".