Body-part words are useful far beyond the classroom: at the doctor, with children, and in everyday phrases like “wash your hands” or “my head hurts”. This guide covers the head and face, the body, hands and feet, and the phrases you’ll use with them. Each word comes with the Malayalam script, an easy romanised spelling and the English meaning.
Head and face
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| തല | Thala | Head |
| മുടി | Mudi | Hair |
| മുഖം | Mukham | Face |
| കണ്ണ് | Kannu | Eye |
| ചെവി | Chevi | Ear |
| മൂക്ക് | Mookku | Nose |
| വായ് | Vaayu | Mouth |
| പല്ല് | Pallu | Tooth |
| നാക്ക് | Naakku | Tongue |
The body
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| കഴുത്ത് | Kazhuthu | Neck |
| തോൾ | Thol | Shoulder |
| നെഞ്ച് | Nenju | Chest |
| വയറ് | Vayaru | Stomach |
| പുറം | Puram | Back |
Hands, legs and feet
Kai covers both hand and arm, and kaalu covers both leg and foot.
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| കൈ | Kai | Hand / arm |
| വിരൽ | Viral | Finger / toe |
| നഖം | Nakham | Nail |
| കാല് | Kaalu | Leg / foot |
| മുട്ട് | Muttu | Knee |
Everyday phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| എന്റെ തല വേദനിക്കുന്നു | Ente thala vedanikkunnu | My head hurts |
| വയറുവേദന | Vayaruvedana | Stomach ache |
| കൈ കഴുകൂ | Kai kazhukoo | Wash your hands |
| കണ്ണടയ്ക്കൂ | Kannadaykkoo | Close your eyes |
| പല്ല് തേയ്ക്കൂ | Pallu theykkoo | Brush your teeth |
Feeling unwell? See the health and pharmacy phrases.
Practising with children
Point-and-name games work beautifully: touch your nose and ask ithu enthaa? (what is this?), and let your child answer mookku!. Kinship words and body parts are usually the first Malayalam children abroad learn. See teaching kids Malayalam for more ideas.
Frequently asked questions
What are the body parts called in Malayalam?
Thala (head), mukham (face), kannu (eye), chevi (ear), mookku (nose), vaayu (mouth), kai (hand), kaalu (leg/foot), vayaru (stomach).
How do you say my head hurts in Malayalam?
“Ente thala vedanikkunnu.” A stomach ache is vayaruvedana.
What is hand called in Malayalam?
Kai (കൈ), which covers both hand and arm. Finger is viral.
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