Sea-turtle in Malayalam
A sea turtle is കടലാമ (kadalama), literally the sea tortoise, built from the words for sea and turtle. Kerala beaches get nesting turtles every year and conservation notices use exactly this word.
Most common translation
Sea-turtle.
തീരത്ത് ഒരു കടലാമ മുട്ടയിട്ടു
theeratthu oru kadalaama muttayittu
A sea-turtle laid eggs on the shore.
Dictionary entry
- കടലാമ (kadalama) — Sea-turtle.
The compound is transparent: drop the sea element and you are left with the ordinary word for a tortoise or turtle.
Common questions
How do you say sea-turtle in Malayalam?
കടലാമ (kadalama).
Is kadalama used in everyday speech?
Yes. On the coast it is the ordinary name and needs no explaining.