Order anything by pointing in Malayalam
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Malayalam words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Malayalam phrases in this lesson
- എനിക്ക് ... വേണംe-NIK-ku ... VE-nam
- I would like...
- ഇത്ITH
- This one
- എത്ര?ETH-ra
- How much is it?
- ബിൽBIL
- The bill, please
- കാർഡ് വഴിKAARD VA-zhi
- By card
- കാശായിkaa-SHAA-yi
- In cash
- വെള്ളംVEL-lam
- Water
- കാപ്പിKAAP-pi
- Coffee
- ചായCHAA-ya
- Tea
- ബിയർBI-yar
- Beer
- ഇല്ലാതെil-LAH-the
- Without...
Literally "to me ... is wanted": എനിക്ക് ഒരു ചായ വേണം (e-NIK-ku o-RU CHAA-ya VE-nam), a tea for me.
Short, clear, and used with a point or gesture. Works in any shop or market when you cannot name the item.
Short and essential. Drop the question mark in tone and it still works. Essential at markets and roadside stalls.
The English word is used everywhere. You can also say "കണക്ക്" (ka-NAK-ku) which means "account." Waving your hand in a writing gesture also works universally.
UPI phone payments are even more common.
Always useful. Bottled water is "കുപ്പി വെള്ളം" (kup-PI VEL-lam). Tap water quality varies, so bottled is safer in most places.
Tea, ചായ (CHAA-ya), is the everyday drink.
Alcohol is sold in licensed bars and government shops only.
Say the ingredient first, then "ഇല്ലാതെ." For example "കൊക്കോനട്ട് ഇല്ലാതെ" means without coconut. Works in any food context.