But in Malayalam
പക്ഷേ (pakshe) is the everyday but, and it usually opens the clause that contradicts what came before, exactly as English but does. Spoken Malayalam leans on it heavily. The ksh is one cluster and the final vowel is long, pak-she.
Most common translation
But, if not, perhaps, still, not withstanding.
ഞാൻ വരാം, പക്ഷേ അല്പം വൈകും.
njaan varaam, pakshe alpam vaikum.
I will come, but I will be a little late.
All Malayalam words for “but”
- പക്ഷേ (pakshe) — But, if not, perhaps, still, not withstanding.
- അല്ലാതെ (allathe) — But, besides.
- എങ്കിലും (enkilum) — Although, though, even if, but, however.
- ചിലപ്പോൾ (chilappol) — Sometimes, now and then, on some occasions but not always.
- പല (pala) — Several, more than two but not many, various.
- പൊടിക്കൈ (podikkai) — Trick, artifice, clever feat, slight but effective (feat, medicine, etc.).
- മുൻ (mun) — Former, previous, ex-, holding a position earlier but not now; pre-, before, earlier than; Malayalam uses mun as a prefix, as in munkootti, beforehand.
pakshe is the plain but, enkilum is although or even so and softens the contrast, and allathe means but in the sense of other than or besides rather than however.
Common questions
How do you say but in Malayalam?
But is പക്ഷേ (pakshe).
When should I use enkilum instead?
Use enkilum where English would say although or even so, since it concedes the first point rather than simply setting the second against it.