▶ Hear it spoken by a native voice.
In short: The Malayalam word for "water" is വെള്ളം (vellam). To ask for water you say വെള്ളം വേണം (vellam venam) — "I'd like water" — or more politely കുറച്ച് വെള്ളം തരാമോ? (kurachu vellam tharaamo?) — "can you give me some water?".
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| വെള്ളം | Vellam | Water |
| വെള്ളം വേണം | Vellam venam | I want water |
| കുറച്ച് വെള്ളം തരാമോ? | Kurachu vellam tharaamo? | Can you give me some water? |
| തണുത്ത വെള്ളം | Thanutha vellam | Cold water |
When & how to use it
In a restaurant or someone's home, kurachu vellam tharaamo? is polite and natural. A quick vellam venam is fine when you just need to be understood. For drinking water specifically you may hear കുടിവെള്ളം (kudivellam).
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ചേട്ടാ, കുറച്ച് വെള്ളം തരാമോ? | Chetta, kurachu vellam tharaamo? | Brother, can you give me some water? |
| എനിക്ക് വെള്ളം വേണം. | Enikku vellam venam. | I'd like some water. |
Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 11 - At a Restaurant 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
What is the Malayalam word for water?
Water in Malayalam is വെള്ളം (vellam).
How do you ask for water in Malayalam?
Say വെള്ളം വേണം (vellam venam) or, more politely, കുറച്ച് വെള്ളം തരാമോ? (kurachu vellam tharaamo?).
How do you say cold water in Malayalam?
Say തണുത്ത വെള്ളം (thanutha vellam).
What is drinking water in Malayalam?
Drinking water is കുടിവെള്ളം (kudivellam).