In short: Malayalam has two "welcomes." To welcome someone to a place: സ്വാഗതം (swaagatham). To reply "you're welcome" after a thank-you: സാരമില്ല (saaramilla) or ഒന്നുമില്ല (onnumilla) — "it's nothing."
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| സ്വാഗതം | Swaagatham | Welcome (to a place) |
| സാരമില്ല | Saaramilla | You're welcome / no worries |
| ഒന്നുമില്ല | Onnumilla | It's nothing |
| വാ, അകത്ത് കയറി ഇരിക്ക് | Vaa, akathu kayari irikku | Come in, sit down |
When & how to use it
Don't answer a thank-you with swaagatham — that's only for welcoming someone somewhere. After "nandi," reply saaramilla. To welcome a guest warmly, Malayalis just say vaa, irikku ("come, sit").
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| നന്ദി! — സാരമില്ല. | Nandi! — Saaramilla. | Thanks! — You're welcome. |
| വാ, വീട്ടിലേക്ക് സ്വാഗതം! | Vaa, veettilekku swaagatham! | Come, welcome to our home! |
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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Book a lesson →Frequently asked questions
How do you say welcome in Malayalam?
To welcome someone to a place, say സ്വാഗതം (swaagatham).
How do you say you're welcome in Malayalam?
Say സാരമില്ല (saaramilla) or ഒന്നുമില്ല (onnumilla).
Can I use swaagatham to reply to thanks?
No — use saaramilla for that; swaagatham only welcomes someone to a place.
How do you welcome a guest into your home in Malayalam?
Say വാ, അകത്ത് കയറി ഇരിക്ക് (vaa, akathu kayari irikku), "come in, sit down."