In short: To say "really? / is that true?", say സത്യമാണോ? (sathyamaano?). A casual "oh really?!" is അയ്യോ, ശരിക്കും? (ayyo, sharikkum?). സത്യം (sathyam) = truth.
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| സത്യമാണോ? | Sathyamaano? | Really? / Is it true? |
| ശരിക്കും? | Sharikkum? | For real? |
| അയ്യോ! | Ayyo! | Oh no! / Wow! (surprise) |
| എനിക്ക് വിശ്വസിക്കാൻ പറ്റണില്ല | Enikku vishwasikkaan pattanilla | I can't believe it |
When & how to use it
Sathyamaano? and sharikkum? are the everyday "really?!". The all-purpose ayyo! adds surprise or sympathy.
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| അവൻ ജയിച്ചോ? സത്യമാണോ?! | Avan jayicho? Sathyamaano?! | He won? Really?! |
| ശരിക്കും? എനിക്ക് വിശ്വസിക്കാൻ പറ്റണില്ല! | Sharikkum? Enikku vishwasikkaan pattanilla! | For real? I can't believe it! |
Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 24 - 'I'm Still Learning Malayalam' (Survival) 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 really in Malayalam?
Say സത്യമാണോ? (sathyamaano?) or ശരിക്കും? (sharikkum?).
How do you say is it true in Malayalam?
Say സത്യമാണോ? (sathyamaano?).
What does ayyo mean?
An all-purpose exclamation for surprise, dismay or sympathy.
How do you say I can't believe it?
Say എനിക്ക് വിശ്വസിക്കാൻ പറ്റണില്ല (enikku vishwasikkaan pattanilla).