Smart in Malayalam
In the sense of clever, smart is മിടുക്കന് (midukkan), the word for a sharp, capable man. Kerala uses it as genuine praise and sometimes with a teasing edge, the way English uses smart about a know-it-all. The other entries here answer a different English smart.
Most common translation
A clever, skilful, smart man.
അവന് പഠനത്തില് മിടുക്കനാണ്.
avan padanathil midukkananu.
He is smart in studies.
All Malayalam words for “smart”
- മിടുക്കന് (midukkan) — A clever, skilful, smart man.
- നീറുക (neeruka) — Smoulder, smart.
- ചൊടിക്കുക (chodikkuka) — Become angry, be smart, be lively, be enthusiastic, be vigorous.
നീറുക (neeruka) is smart in the old sense of a stinging, smouldering pain, and ചൊടിക്കുക (chodikkuka) means to flare up or be lively, so neither covers smart as intelligent.
Common questions
How do you say smart in Malayalam?
മിടുക്കന് (midukkan) when you mean clever or sharp.
What about smart as in well dressed?
That sense is not covered here; Kerala speech simply borrows the English word smart for a neat appearance.