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Spoken Malayalam phrases

How to Say "Sit Down" and "Stand Up" in Malayalam

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

ഇരിക്കൂ / എഴുന്നേൽക്കൂ
Irikkoo / Ezhunnelkkoo — Sit down / Stand up

In short: To say "sit down", say ഇരിക്കൂ (irikkoo); the warm "please, have a seat" is ഇരിക്ക് (irikku). "Stand up" is എഴുന്നേൽക്കൂ (ezhunnelkkoo).

Variations & related phrases

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
ഇരിക്കൂIrikkooSit down / have a seat
ഇവിടെ ഇരിക്ക്Ivide irikkuSit here
എഴുന്നേൽക്കൂEzhunnelkkooStand up
ഇരുന്നോളൂIrunnolooPlease be seated (polite)

When & how to use it

Inviting a guest to sit (irikku) is basic Kerala hospitality. Irunnoloo is the gentle, polite "please be seated".

Example sentences

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
വരൂ, ഇവിടെ ഇരിക്ക്.Varoo, ivide irikku.Come, sit here.
ഒന്ന് എഴുന്നേൽക്കാമോ?Onnu ezhunnelkkaamo?Can you stand up please?

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.

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RRN
Reshmi R Nair, Malayalam Linguist

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you say sit down in Malayalam?

Say ഇരിക്കൂ (irikkoo) or warmly ഇരിക്ക് (irikku).

How do you say stand up in Malayalam?

Say എഴുന്നേൽക്കൂ (ezhunnelkkoo).

How do you say sit here in Malayalam?

Say ഇവിടെ ഇരിക്ക് (ivide irikku).

How do you politely ask someone to sit?

Say ഇരുന്നോളൂ (irunnoloo).

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