Language/Malayalam/Grammar/Past-Tense-Verbs

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Malayalam → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Future and Past Tenses → Past Tense Verbs

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on past tense verbs in Malayalam! In this lesson, we will explore the different past tenses in the Malayalam language and learn how to use them in sentences. Understanding the past tense is crucial for effective communication in any language, as it allows us to talk about events that have already happened. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently use past tense verbs in your Malayalam conversations and express yourself fluently in the past. So, let's dive in!

Past Tenses in Malayalam

Malayalam, being a rich and vibrant language, has several past tenses that convey different aspects of the past. In this section, we will explore each of these tenses in detail and provide examples for better understanding.

Simple Past Tense

The simple past tense, also known as the past indefinite tense, is used to talk about completed actions in the past. In Malayalam, the simple past tense is formed by adding specific suffixes to the verb stem. Let's take a look at some examples:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English Translation
ഞാൻ പുസ്തകം വായിച്ചു	Njan pusthakam vaayichu	I read a book
അവർ വീട്ടിലേക്ക് പോയി	Avar veetilekku poi	They went home
നിങ്ങൾ എന്റെ സഹായം ചെയ്തു	Ningal ente sahaayam cheythu	You helped me
അവർ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം പൂർത്തിയാക്കി	Avar vidyaabhyasam poorthiyaakki	They completed their education

As you can see from the examples, the verb stem remains unchanged, and the suffixes indicate the past tense. It's important to note that verb conjugation in Malayalam depends on the subject, so you need to use the appropriate suffix based on the subject pronoun used.

Past Continuous Tense

The past continuous tense, also known as the past progressive tense, is used to talk about ongoing actions or events in the past. In Malayalam, the past continuous tense is formed by combining the past tense of the verb "to be" (ആയിരുന്നു - aayirunnu) with the present participle form of the main verb. Let's look at some examples:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English Translation
ഞാൻ പുസ്തകം വായിക്കാനായി ആയിരുന്നു	Njan pusthakam vaayikkaanaayi aayirunnu	I was reading a book
അവർ വീട്ടിലേക്ക് പോകുമ്പോൾ അവർ പഠിക്കാനായിരുന്നു	Avar veetilekku pokumpol avar padhikkaanaayirunnu	They were studying when they were going home
നിങ്ങൾ എന്റെ സഹായത്തിനായി ആയിരുന്നു	Ningal ente sahaayathinayi aayirunnu	You were helping me
അവർ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം പൂർത്തിയാക്കാൻ ആയിരുന്നു	Avar vidyaabhyasam poorthiyaakkaan aayirunnu	They were completing their education

In the above examples, the verb "to be" (ആയിരുന്നു - aayirunnu) changes based on the subject, while the main verb remains in its present participle form.

Past Perfect Tense

The past perfect tense is used to talk about actions that were completed before another action or time in the past. In Malayalam, the past perfect tense is formed by using the past tense of the verb "to have" (ഉണ്ടാക്കിയിരുന്നു - undaakkiiyirunnu) followed by the past participle form of the main verb. Let's see some examples:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English Translation
ഞാൻ പുസ്തകം വായിക്കുമ്പോൾ അതു പഠിച്ചിരുന്നു	Njan pusthakam vaayikkumpol athu padhichirunnu	I had read the book when it was studied
അവർ വീട്ടിലേക്ക് പോയപ്പോൾ അവർ പഠിച്ചിരുന്നു	Avar veetilekku poayappol avar padhichirunnu	They had studied when they went home
നിങ്ങൾ എന്റെ സഹായത്തിനു മുമ്പ് നന്ദിച്ചിരുന്നു	Ningal ente sahaayathinu mump nandichirunnu	You had thanked me before I helped you
അവർ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം പൂർത്തിയാക്കുമ്പോൾ അവർ വന്നിരുന്നു	Avar vidyaabhyasam poorthiyaakkumpol avar vannirunnu	They had come when they completed their education

In the above examples, the verb "to have" (ഉണ്ടാക്കിയിരുന്നു - undaakkiiyirunnu) changes based on the subject, while the main verb remains in its past participle form.

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

The past perfect continuous tense is used to talk about ongoing or continuous actions that were completed before another action or time in the past. In Malayalam, the past perfect continuous tense is formed by using the past tense of the verb "to have" (ഉണ്ടാക്കിയിരുന്നു - undaakkiiyirunnu) followed by the present participle form of the main verb. Let's explore some examples:

Malayalam	Pronunciation	English Translation
ഞാൻ പുസ്തകം വായിക്കുമ്പോൾ അത് പഠിച്ചിരുന്നു	Njan pusthakam vaayikkumpol athu padhichirunnu	I had been reading the book when it was studied
അവർ വീട്ടിലേക്ക് പോയപ്പോൾ അവർ പഠിച്ചിരുന്നു	Avar veetilekku poayappol avar padhichirunnu	They had been studying when they went home
നിങ്ങൾ എന്റെ സഹായത്തിനു മുമ്പ് നന്ദിച്ചിരുന്നു	Ningal ente sahaayathinu mump nandichirunnu	You had been thanking me before I helped you
അവർ വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം പൂർത്തിയാക്കുമ്പോൾ അവർ വന്നിരുന്നു	Avar vidyaabhyasam poorthiyaakkumpol avar vannirunnu	They had been coming when they completed their education

In the above examples, the verb "to have" (ഉണ്ടാക്കിയിരുന്നു - undaakkiiyirunnu) changes based on the subject, while the main verb remains in its present participle form.

Cultural Insights

In the Malayalam language, the usage of past tenses can vary slightly depending on the region or community. For example, in certain regions, speakers may use the simple past tense more frequently in everyday conversations, while in other regions, the past continuous tense may be more commonly used to describe ongoing past events. These variations add richness to the language and reflect the diversity of Malayalam-speaking communities.

Historically, Malayalam has evolved from the ancient Dravidian language and has been influenced by various cultures and languages over time. The past tenses in Malayalam showcase the language's deep-rooted history and its ability to adapt to changing linguistic contexts. Exploring these tenses not only helps us understand the language better but also enables us to appreciate the cultural nuances embedded within the grammar.

Interesting Fact: Did you know that Malayalam is the only language in the world that is a palindrome? It means that the language can be read both forwards and backward, giving it a unique linguistic characteristic. This fascinating fact showcases the beauty and intricacy of the Malayalam language.

Practice Exercises

Translate

Now that we have learned about the different past tenses in Malayalam, let's put our knowledge into practice with some exercises.

Translate the following English sentences into Malayalam using the appropriate past tense verb form:

1. She ate an apple.

2. We were watching a movie.

3. I had already finished my work.

4. They had been waiting for hours.

Solutions:

1. അവൾ ഒരു ആപ്പിൾ കഴിച്ചു (Avl oru apple kazhichu)

2. ഞങ്ങൾ ഒരു സിനിമ കണ്ടു (Njangal oru cinema kandu)

3. ഞാൻ പണം ഇതരമോ പൂർത്തിയായി (Njan panam itharamo poorthiyaayi)

4. അവർ അന്തം കാത്തുകൊണ്ടിരുന്നു (Avar antham kaaththukondirunnu)

Simple Past Tense Exercises

1. I bought a car.
2. She cooked dinner.
3. They played football.
4. He wrote a letter.
5. We sang a song.
6. You (singular) called me.
7. The cat slept on the mat.

Answers:

1. ഞാൻ ഒരു കാർ വാങ്ങി (Njan oru car vangi)
2. അവൾ അത്താഴം പാചകം ചെയ്തു (Aval athaazham paachakam cheythu)
3. അവർ ഫുട്ബോൾ കളിച്ചു (Avar football kalichu)
4. അദ്ദേഹം ഒരു കത്തെഴുതി (Addeham oru kathezhuthi)
5. ഞങ്ങൾ ഒരു പാട്ടു പാടി (Njangal oru paattu paadi)
6. നീ എന്നെ വിളിച്ചു (Nee enne vilichu)
7. പൂച്ച പായയിൽ ഉറങ്ങി (Poocha paayayil urangi)

Past Continuous Tense Exercises

1. I was writing an email.
2. She was reading a book.
3. They were watching a movie.
4. He was driving a car.
5. We were discussing a project.
6. You (singular) were studying for the exam.
7. The dog was chasing the ball.

Answers:

1. ഞാൻ ഒരു ഇമെയിൽ എഴുതുകയായിരുന്നു (Njan oru email ezhuthukayaayirunnu)
2. അവൾ ഒരു പുസ്തകം വായിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു (Aval oru pusthakam vaayikkukayaayirunnu)
3. അവർ ഒരു സിനിമ കാണുകയായിരുന്നു (Avar oru cinema kaanukayaayirunnu)
4. അദ്ദേഹം ഒരു കാർ ഓടിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു (Addeham oru car odikkukayaayirunnu)
5. ഞങ്ങൾ ഒരു പ്രോജക്റ്റ് ചർച്ച ചെയ്യുകയായിരുന്നു (Njangal oru project charcha cheyyukayaayirunnu)
6. നീ പരീക്ഷയ്ക്ക് പഠിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു (Nee pareekshaykku padhikkukayaayirunnu)
7. നായ പന്ത് പിടിക്കു

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned about the different past tenses in Malayalam and how to use them in sentences. The past tense is a vital aspect of any language, allowing us to express events that have already occurred. Keep practicing and using these tenses in your conversations to become more fluent in Malayalam.

In this lesson, we explored the simple past tense, past continuous tense, past perfect tense, and past perfect continuous tense. Each of these tenses has its own unique usage and adds depth to our ability to express ourselves in the past. By understanding the grammar and cultural insights behind these tenses, you are well on your way to becoming proficient in Malayalam.

Remember, language learning is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to fluency. So keep practicing, keep exploring, and soon you'll be able to communicate effortlessly in Malayalam.

Happy learning!

Table of Contents - Malayalam Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Malayalam Script

• Basic Letters
• Conjunct Consonants
• Vowel Markers
• Syllable Structure

  ---

Everyday Phrases

• Greetings and Introductions
• Asking for Directions
• Food and Drink
• Numbers and Time

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject Pronouns
• Word Order
• Nouns and Adjectives
• Present Tense Verbs

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing People
• Datings
• Work and Professions

  ---

Kerala Culture and Traditions

• The Land of Kerala
• Festivals of Kerala
• Arts and Performances
• Cuisine and Food Traditions

  ---

Future and Past Tenses

• Future Tense Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Compound Sentences
• Noun Cases

  ---

Travel and Accommodation

• Booking a Hotel
• Means of Transport
• Tourist Attractions
• Emergencies

  ---

Malayalam Cinema and Literature

• Golden Era of Malayalam Cinema
• Famous Malayalam Writers and Works
• Malayalam Music

  ---

Advanced Sentence Structures

• Passive Voice
• Conditional Sentences
• Direct and Indirect Speech
• Participles and Infinitives

  ---

Technology and Social Media

• Using Social Media
• Emoticons and Expressions
• Technology and Gadgets
• E-commerce and Banking

Sources

• Krishnan | Unlocking the verbal spine in Malayalam: Past tense is ...
• Malayalam grammar - Wikipedia
• all curry is good curry — Malayalam Lesson 9 - Past tense

Other Lessons

• Pronouns
• Conjunct Consonants
• Future Tense Verbs
• Future Tense
• Adjectives
• Nouns
• Conditional Sentences
• How to Use Have
• Subject Pronouns

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