How to start learning Malayalam when you know zero words
Begin with 20 high-value words, five sentence frames that combine them, and a seven-day plan, all with the Malayalam script and easy romanisation.
Get the starter packStart with 20 words, not 2,000
If you know no Malayalam at all, the fastest start is a small set of words that combine into hundreds of sentences. These 20 cover most of what a beginner needs in the first week at home, on the phone or on a trip to Kerala. Learn them by saying them out loud, not by writing them.
| Malayalam | Romanised | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ഞാൻ | njaan | I |
| നിങ്ങൾ | ningal | you (polite) |
| ഇത് / അത് | ithu / athu | this / that |
| വേണം / വേണ്ട | venam / venda | want, need / don't want |
| ഉണ്ട് / ഇല്ല | undu / illa | there is, have / there isn't, no |
| അതെ | athe | yes |
| ശരി | shari | okay, right |
| നന്ദി | nanni | thank you |
| എന്ത് | enthu | what |
| എവിടെ | evide | where |
| എത്ര | ethra | how much, how many |
| വെള്ളം | vellam | water |
| ചായ | chaaya | tea |
| ചോറ് | choru | cooked rice, a meal |
| വീട് | veedu | house, home |
| വരൂ | varoo | come (polite invitation) |
| പോകാം | pokaam | let's go |
| കുറച്ച് | kurachu | a little |
| നല്ലത് | nallathu | good |
| സുഖമാണോ? | sukhamaano? | are you well? |
Turn the 20 words into sentences
Put the words into these five frames and you can already hold a short exchange.
| Malayalam | Romanised | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| എനിക്ക് ചായ വേണം | enikku chaaya venam | I want tea |
| വീട് എവിടെയാണ്? | veedu evideyaanu? | Where is the house? |
| ഇതിന് എത്രയാണ്? | ithinu ethrayaanu? | How much is this? |
| വെള്ളം ഉണ്ടോ? | vellam undo? | Is there water? |
| എനിക്ക് കുറച്ച് മലയാളം അറിയാം | enikku kurachu malayaalam ariyaam | I know a little Malayalam |
The word enikku means "to me". Malayalam says "to me, tea is wanted" rather than "I want tea". You will meet this pattern again and again; it is explained fully in Malayalam sentence patterns for beginners.
Your first seven days
Three things not to do in week one
Don't start with the script
The Malayalam script is beautiful and worth learning, but it can wait a few weeks. Speak first with romanisation, then learn the letters with the alphabet guide.
Don't learn formal Malayalam
Textbook forms like enthaanu are correct, but at home people say enthaa. Learn what you will actually hear.
Don't wait to speak
Malayalis are delighted when a learner tries. A wrong word with a smile gets you further than silence.
Want the 20 words as a printable sheet with audio links? Get the free starter pack.
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