Language/Malayalam/Vocabulary/Describing-People

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Malayalam → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Family and Relationships → Describing People

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Welcome to the lesson on "Describing People" in Malayalam! In this lesson, we will learn and practice vocabulary for describing people's physical appearance and personality. Being able to describe people accurately is an essential skill in any language, as it helps us communicate effectively and understand others better. Whether you are traveling to Kerala or simply interested in learning Malayalam, this lesson will provide you with the necessary tools to express yourself when describing people.

This lesson is part of the larger course "Complete 0 to A1 Malayalam Course", designed for complete beginners who want to learn Malayalam from scratch and reach the A1 level. In this lesson, we will focus specifically on vocabulary related to describing people. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently describe someone's physical appearance and personality traits in Malayalam.

To ensure that you grasp the concepts thoroughly, we will provide numerous examples and practice exercises throughout the lesson. Additionally, we will also explore any cultural variations in the usage or understanding of the topic, as well as share interesting cultural facts or anecdotes that relate to describing people in Malayalam.

So, let's dive in and start expanding our vocabulary for describing people in Malayalam!

Physical Appearance[edit | edit source]

When describing someone's physical appearance in Malayalam, it is important to be familiar with the relevant vocabulary. Let's begin by learning some common words and phrases to describe various physical features:

Face[edit | edit source]

Malayalam Pronunciation English Translation
മുഖം (mukham) mukham face
മുഖഭാഗം (mukhabhagam) mukhavāgam facial feature
മുഖരേഖ (mukharekha) mukharekha facial expression
മുഖാകൃതി (mukhākṛti) mukhākṛti face shape
മുഖമണ്ഡലം (mukhamandalam) mukhamaṇḍalam face complexion
മുഖനിറം (mukhaniṟaṁ) mukhaniṟaṁ skin color

Now, let's learn some adjectives to describe different facial features:

  • Eyes:
    • കണ്ണുകൾ (kaṇṇukaḷ) - eyes
    • കണ്ണ് നിറം (kaṇṇu niṟaṁ) - eye color
    • വലിയ കണ്ണുകൾ (valiya kaṇṇukaḷ) - big eyes
    • ചെറുക്കായ കണ്ണുകൾ (ceṟukkāya kaṇṇukaḷ) - small eyes
    • കണ്ണ് വലിയ (kaṇṇu valiya) - big-eyed
    • കണ്ണ് ചെറുത് (kaṇṇu ceṟut) - small-eyed
  • Nose:
    • മൂക്ക് (mūkku) - nose
    • മൂക്ക് നിറം (mūkku niṟaṁ) - nose color
    • വലിയ മൂക്ക് (valiya mūkku) - big nose
    • ചെറുത്ത മൂക്ക് (ceṟutta mūkku) - small nose
    • മൂക്ക് വലിയ (mūkku valiya) - big-nosed
    • മൂക്ക് ചെറുത് (mūkku ceṟut) - small-nosed
  • Lips:
    • ചുവന്ന തല (cuvaṇṇa tala) - lips
    • ചുവന്ന തലയുടെ നിറം (cuvaṇṇa talayuṭe niṟaṁ) - lip color
    • വലിയ ചുവന്ന തല (valiya cuvaṇṇa tala) - big lips
    • ചെറുത്ത ചുവന്ന തല (ceṟutta cuvaṇṇa tala) - small lips
    • ചുവന്ന തലയുടെ വലിയ (cuvaṇṇa talayuṭe valiya) - big-lipped
    • ചുവന്ന തലയുടെ ചെറുത് (cuvaṇṇa talayuṭe ceṟut) - small-lipped

Body[edit | edit source]

When describing someone's body, there are various words and phrases to consider. Let's start with some common vocabulary:

Malayalam Pronunciation English Translation
ശരീരം (śarīraṁ) śarīraṁ body
മാംസം (māṁsaṁ) māṁsaṁ flesh
ആകൃതി (ākṛti) ākṛti shape
ഉയരം (uyaraṁ) uyaraṁ height
തടി (taṭi) taṭi weight

Now, let's learn some adjectives to describe different body features:

  • Height:
    • ഉയരമുള്ള (uyaramuḷḷa) - tall
    • അടുക്കളമുള്ള (aṭukkaḷamuḷḷa) - short
    • ഉയരമുള്ളവൻ (uyaramuḷḷavan) - tall person
    • അടുക്കളമുള്ളവൻ (aṭukkaḷamuḷḷavan) - short person
  • Build:
    • കൂട്ടം (kūṭṭaṁ) - build
    • മോട്ടം (mōṭṭaṁ) - fat
    • പെട്ടെന്നു (peṭṭenna) - thin
    • കൂട്ടം ഉള്ള (kūṭṭaṁ uḷḷa) - well-built
    • മോട്ടമുള്ള (mōṭṭamuḷḷa) - fat person
    • പെട്ടെന്നവൻ (peṭṭennaṇavan) - thin person
  • Hair:
    • മുടി (muṭi) - hair
    • മുടിനിറം (muṭiniṟaṁ) - hair color
    • വലിയ മുടി (valiya muṭi) - long hair
    • ചെറുത്ത മുടി (ceṟutta muṭi) - short hair
    • മുടിയുടെ വലിയ (muṭiyuṭe valiya) - long-haired
    • മുടിയുടെ ചെറുത് (muṭiyuṭe ceṟut) - short-haired

Clothing[edit | edit source]

When describing someone's clothing, it is important to know the relevant vocabulary. Let's learn some common words and phrases related to clothing in Malayalam:

Malayalam Pronunciation English Translation
വസ്ത്രം (vastram) vastram clothing
പുട്ടൻ (puṭṭaṇ) puṭṭaṇ shirt
സാരി (sāri) sāri sari
പഞ്ചവേസ്ത്രം (pañcavēstram) pañcavēstram dhoti
പവട (pavaṭa) pavaṭa lungi
അച്ഛൻ (acchan) acchan father

Now, let's learn some adjectives to describe different types of clothing:

  • Colors:
    • പച്ച (paccha) - green
    • മഞ്ഞ (mañña) - yellow
    • ചെറുപ്പ് (ceṟuppu) - red
    • നീല (nīla) - blue
    • വെള്ള (veḷḷa) - white
    • കറുപ്പ് (kaṟuppu) - black
  • Patterns:
    • ചിത്രമുള്ള (citravum uḷḷa) - patterned
    • ആകൃതിയുള്ള (ākṛtiyuḷḷa) - printed
    • പടവുള്ള (paṭavuḷḷa) - striped
    • പച്ചപ്പടവുള്ള (pacchap paṭavuḷḷa) - green-striped
    • ചെറുപ്പപ്പടവുള്ള (ceṟuppappaṭavuḷḷa) - red-striped

Age[edit | edit source]

When describing someone's age, there are different words and phrases to use in Malayalam. Let's learn some common vocabulary:

Malayalam Pronunciation English Translation
പ്രായം (prāyaṁ) prāyaṁ age
പ്രായം കൂടുതൽ (prāyaṁ kūṭutal) prāyaṁ kūṭutal older
പ്രായം കുറവേയുള്ള (prāyaṁ kuṟavēyuḷḷa) prāyaṁ kuṟavēyuḷḷa younger

Now, let's learn some phrases to describe age:

  • പ്രായം എത്ര (prāyaṁ etra) - How old?
  • ഞാൻ പത്തു വയസ്സായിരുന്നു (ñān pattu vayassāyirunnu) - I was ten years old.
  • അവൻ പന്ത്രണ്ടു വയസ്സാണ് (avan pantrāṇḍu vayassāṇ) - He is twelve years old.
  • അവൾ പതിമൂന്റു വയസ്സാണ് (āvaḷ pathimūṇṭu vayassāṇ) - She is thirteen years old.

Personality Traits[edit | edit source]

Describing someone's personality is just as important as describing their physical appearance. Let's learn some common adjectives to describe personality traits in Malayalam:

Malayalam Pronunciation English Translation
ആത്മീയം (ātmīyaṁ) ātmīyaṁ friendly
വിശ്വാസം (viśvāsaṁ) viśvāsaṁ trustworthy
ആരോഗ്യം (ārōgyaṁ) ārōgyaṁ healthy
സൗന്ദര്യം (sauṇdaryaṁ) sauṇdaryaṁ beautiful
ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുമായ (buddhimuṭṭumāya) buddhimuṭṭumāya intelligent
നല്ല ഹൃദയം (nalla hṛdayaṁ) nalla hṛdayaṁ kind-hearted

Now, let's learn some phrases to describe personality traits:

  • അവൻ ആത്മീയമാണ് (avan ātmīyamāṇ) - He is friendly.
  • അവൾ വിശ്വാസം നൽകുന്നു (āvaḷ viśvāsaṁ nal̥kunnu) - She is trustworthy.
  • അവൻ ആരോഗ്യമാണ് (avan ārōgyamāṇ) - He is healthy.
  • അവൾ സൗന്ദര്യമാണ് (āvaḷ sauṇdaryamāṇ) - She is beautiful.
  • അവൻ ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുമായവൻ (avan buddhimuṭṭumāyavan) - He is intelligent.
  • അവൻ നല്ല ഹൃദയമുള്ളവൻ (avan nalla hṛdayamuḷḷavan) - He is kind-hearted.

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

In Kerala, the southern state of India where Malayalam is predominantly spoken, physical appearance and personality play important roles in various aspects of life. In the traditional arranged marriage system, families often consider physical appearance as one of the factors when seeking a suitable partner for their children. A fair complexion, sharp features, and good height are often considered desirable qualities. However, it is important to note that these traditional preferences are not universal and may vary depending on individual preferences and evolving cultural norms.

Personality traits are also highly valued in Kerala. Kindness, intelligence, and honesty are traits that are admired and respected in the society. It is not uncommon to come across Malayalam proverbs and sayings that highlight the importance of good character and virtues. For example, one popular saying is "മുന്നിൽ ആരും കാൽപ്പാടും ഉണ്ടാവുക, പിന്നിൽ ആരും ഹൃദയപൂരിതമായ ആകാശം ആവുക" (munṉiḷ ārum kāḷpāṭuṁ uṇḍāvuka, pinṉiḷ ārum hṛdayapūritamāya ākāśaṁ āvuka), which translates to "Create footprints wherever you go, and let your heart be a sky filled with love." This proverb emphasizes the importance of leaving a positive impact through one's actions and having a loving and compassionate heart.

It is also interesting to note that Kerala's culture values simplicity and natural beauty. The state is known for its scenic beauty and tranquil backwaters, and this appreciation for nature often influences the perception of beauty and attractiveness. Traditional attire, such as the saree for women and dhoti or lungi for men, is still widely worn on special occasions and festivals, reflecting the cultural heritage of the region.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that we have learned some vocabulary and phrases for describing people's physical appearance and personality, let's put our knowledge into practice. Complete the following exercises by describing the given individuals in Malayalam:

Exercise 1: Describe the following person's physical appearance:

  • Name: Rajesh
  • Age: 25
  • Height: Tall
  • Weight: Thin
  • Hair Color: Black
  • Eye Color: Brown

Exercise 2: Describe the following person's personality traits:

  • Name: Maya
  • Age: 30
  • Friendly: Yes
  • Trustworthy: Yes
  • Intelligent: Yes
  • Kind-hearted: Yes

Exercise 3: Describe the following person's clothing:

  • Name: Vinod
  • Shirt Color: Blue
  • Dhoti Color: White
  • Lungi Color: Red

Exercise 4: Describe the following person's age:

  • Name: Rekha
  • Age: 40
  • Older: No
  • Younger: Yes

Solutions[edit | edit source]

Exercise 1:

  • പേര് (pēru): രാജേഷ് (rājēś)
  • പ്രായം (prāyaṁ): 25
  • ഉയരം (uyaraṁ): ഉയരമുള്ള (uyaramuḷḷa)
  • തടി (taṭi): പെട്ടെന്നു (peṭṭenna)
  • മുടിനിറം (muṭiniṟaṁ): കറുപ്പ് (kaṟuppu)
  • കണ്ണ് നിറം (kaṇṇu niṟaṁ): മഞ്ഞ (mañña)

Exercise 2:

  • പേര് (pēru): മായ (māya)
  • പ്രായം (prāyaṁ): 30
  • ആത്മീയം (ātmīyaṁ): അത്യന്തം ആത്മീയമാണ് (atyantaṁ ātmīyamāṇ)
  • വിശ്വാസം (viśvāsaṁ): അത്യന്തം വിശ്വാസപൂർവ്വമാണ് (atyantaṁ viśvāsapūrvvamāṇ)
  • ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുമായ (buddhimuṭṭumāya): അത്യന്തം ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുമായവൻ (atyantaṁ buddhimuṭṭumāyavan)
  • നല്ല ഹൃദയം (nalla hṛdayaṁ): അത്യന്തം നല്ല ഹൃദയമുള്ളവൻ (atyantaṁ nalla hṛdayamuḷḷavan)

Exercise 3:

  • പേര് (pēru): വിനോദ് (vinōd)
  • പുട്ടൻ (puṭṭaṇ): നീല (nīla)
  • പഞ്ചവേസ്ത്രം (pañcavēstram): വെള്ള (veḷḷa)
  • പവട (pavaṭa): ചെറുപ്പ് (ceṟuppu)

Exercise 4:

  • പേര് (pēru): രേഖ (rēkha)
  • പ്രായം (prāyaṁ): 40
  • പ്രായം കൂടുതൽ (prāyaṁ kūṭutal): അല്ല
  • പ്രായം കുറവേയുള്ള (prāyaṁ kuṟavēyuḷḷa): അതേസമയം കുറവേയുള്ള (atēsamayaṁ kuṟavēyuḷḷa)

Great job! Keep practicing and expanding your vocabulary for describing people in Malayalam. The more you practice, the more confident you will become in expressing yourself in the language!

Table of Contents - Malayalam Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Introduction to Malayalam Script


Everyday Phrases


Basic Sentence Structure


Family and Relationships


Kerala Culture and Traditions


Future and Past Tenses


Travel and Accommodation


Malayalam Cinema and Literature


Advanced Sentence Structures


Technology and Social Media


Sources[edit | edit source]


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