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Spoken Malayalam phrases

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

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See also: the 15 mistakes every learner makes · the 20 rule cards · Kidu! slang · how much Malayalam you already know

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

മുകളിൽ / താഴെ
Mukalil / Thaazhe — Up (above) / Down (below)

In short: In Malayalam, "up/above" is മുകളിൽ (mukalil) and "down/below" is താഴെ (thaazhe). "Go up" is മുകളിലേക്ക് പോകൂ (mukalilekku pokoo); "it's downstairs" is താഴെയാ (thaazheyaa).

Variations & related phrases

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
മുകളിൽMukalilUp / above
താഴെThaazheDown / below
മുകളിലേക്ക്MukalilekkuUpwards / upstairs
താഴേക്ക്ThaazhekkuDownwards / downstairs

When & how to use it

Add -ekku for direction: mukalilekku (upwards), thaazhekku (downwards). Handy for buildings and directions.

Example sentences

MalayalamRomanisedEnglish
അത് മേശയുടെ മുകളിലാ.Athu meshayude mukalilaa.It's on top of the table.
ബാഗ് താഴെ വെക്ക്.Bag thaazhe vekku.Put the bag down.

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.

Practise speaking it for real

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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 up in Malayalam?

"Up / above" is മുകളിൽ (mukalil).

How do you say down in Malayalam?

"Down / below" is താഴെ (thaazhe).

How do you say it's upstairs in Malayalam?

Say മുകളിലാ (mukalilaa).

How do you say put it down in Malayalam?

Say താഴെ വെക്ക് (thaazhe vekku).

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