Language/Malayalam/Grammar/Negation

Malayalam Grammar - Negation

Hi Malayalam learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be discussing negation in Malayalam grammar. This is an intermediate level lesson, so if you're a beginner in Malayalam, make sure you have a good grasp of basic grammar rules before diving into this lesson. Once you're comfortable with basic grammar, understanding negative forms will be a piece of cake! Don't worry, we will do our best to make this topic as easy as possible for you. 😀

Don't hesitate to look into these other pages after completing this lesson: Malayalam Grammar → Basic Sentence Structure → Present Tense ..., Future Tense, Past Tense Verbs & Direct and Indirect Speech.

Negation

In Malayalam grammar, we use different words to negate something based on the tense, case and number of the sentence. There are different words for negation in the present tense, past tense, and imperative forms.

The word "അല്ല" (alla) is used for negation in the present tense. For example:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
ഞാൻ പോകുന്നില്ല	njaan pOkunnil(a)	I'm not going
അവൻ കഴിയുന്നില്ല	avan kazhiyunnil(a)	He's not eating
പഠിക്കാതെ സമയം ചിലവാക്കുക	padhikkkaathe samayam chilaavaakku	Don't spend time studying

For negation in the past tense, the word "ഇല്ല" (illa) is used. For example:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
ഞാൻ പോയില്ല	njaan poyilla	I didn't go
അവൻ കഴിയില്ല	avan kazhiyilla	He didn't eat
പഠിക്കാനില്ലാതെ സമയം ചിലവാക്കുക	padhikkaanillaathe samayam chilaavaakku	Don't spend time without studying

In the imperative form, we use the word "വേണ്ട" (vente) to negate sentences. For example:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
പഠിക്കുക തിരിച്ചു പോകരുത്	padhikkuka thiricchu pokaaruth	Don't go without studying
കഴിയാത്തതു വെറുക്കുക	kazhiyaathathu verukkuka	Make sure you don't spoil it

Negation of Nouns

When negating statements about nouns, the negation follows the same pattern as verbs. We use the same words for negating nouns in different tenses, numbers and cases. Let's see some examples:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English
അത് കൂടിയില്ല	athu koodiyilla	That is not a room
അവൻ കണ്ടില്ല	avan kaNdiilla	He didn't see
സൂര്യനോക്കത്തിൽ കളിക്കാതെ പഠിക്കുക	sooryanoKKathil kaLikkathe padhikkuka	Don't play while looking at the sun

Dialogue

Let's see a dialogue where negation is used:

• Person 1: പഠിച്ചു നോക്കുകയാണല്ലോ? (Padhichu noKKukaayaNallo?) (Have you studied?)
• Person 2: പഠിക്കാൻ സമയം കിട്ടിയില്ല. (Padhikkaan samayam kittiyilla) (I didn't get time to study.)

Practice Exercise

Using the examples and lessons above, try to form a negative sentence in Malayalam about an activity of your choice.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned how to use negation in Malayalam grammar. Keep practicing negation in your conversations and continue to improve your skills. Remember, to improve your Malayalam Grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Sources

• Malayalam grammar - Wikipedia
• negation meaning in Malayalam | negation translation in Malayalam ...

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Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Malayalam Grammar → Advanced Sentence Structures ..., Malayalam Grammar → Basic Sentence Structure → Word Order, Pronouns & Give your Opinion.

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➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Other Lessons

• Plurals
• How to Use Have
• Questions
• How to Use Be
• Pronouns
• Adjectives
• Future Tense
• Conditional Mood
• Give your Opinion
• Nouns