Die in Malayalam

The blunt everyday verb for dying appears here in both its forms, ചാകുക, ചാവുക (chaakuka chaavuka). It is direct and unadorned, used of animals as freely as of people, so in respectful speech about a person's death Malayalam reaches for something gentler.

Most common translation

ചാകുക, ചാവുക (chaakuka chaavuka)

Die, be extinguished.

വെള്ളം കിട്ടിയില്ലെങ്കിൽ ചെടി ചാകും.

vellam kittiyillenkil chedi chaakum.

If it gets no water the plant will die.

All Malayalam words for “die”

അന്തരിക്കുക (antharikkuka) is the dignified newspaper word for passing away; കഥ കഴിയുക (kadha kazhiyuka) and കാര്യം കഴിയുക (karyam kazhiyuk) are slangy, like kicking the bucket; കണ്ണടയ്ക്കുക (kanndaykkuka) literally closes the eyes; അസ്തുവാകുക (asthuvakuka) is bookish; കഴിയുക (kazhiyuka) basically means to end; and ചെരിയുക (cheriyuka) is reserved for an elephant.

Common questions

How do you say die in Malayalam?

ചാകുക, ചാവുക (chaakuka chaavuka) is the plain verb. Both spellings are in use and mean the same thing.

Which word should I use about a person who has died?

അന്തരിക്കുക (antharikkuka) is the respectful choice. The blunt verb can sound callous when a family is listening.