Smell in Malayalam
To smell is മണക്കുക (manakkuka), used both for a thing giving off a smell and for a person sniffing at it. Kerala speech also stretches it to kissing a child on the cheek, because the gesture starts as a sniff. Four syllables, with the doubled k at the centre.
Smell, inhale, kiss, marry.
അവൾ പൂവ് മണത്തു നോക്കി.
aval poovu manathu nokki.
She smelled the flower.
All Malayalam words for “smell”
- മണക്കുക (manakkuka) — Smell, inhale, kiss, marry.
- മണപ്പിക്കുക (manappikkuka) — Smell, enjoy smell, let smell.
- മുട (muda) — Stench, smell, dirt, foul odour.
- മുത്തുക (muthuka) — Kiss, smell, fondle.
- അഗൂഡഗന്ധം (agoodagandham) — Asafoetida, (whose smell cannot be hidden).
- അത്യുഗ്രഗന്ധം (athyugragandham) — Pungent smell, common carraway (medicinal herb.).
- ദിവ്യഗന്ധം (divyagandham) — Cinnamon tree, divine smell.
- ദുര്ഗ്ഗന്ധം (durggandham) — Bad odour or smell, garlic.
- നാറുക (naaruka) — Stink, emit a foul smell.
- നാറ്റം (naattam) — Stench, foul smell.
- പരിമളം (parimalam) — Fragrance, perfume, sweet smell.
- പുളിമണം (pulimanam) — Fermented smell.
- പ്രമോദം (pramodham) — Pleasure, sweet smell.
മണപ്പിക്കുക (manappikkuka) is the causative, to let someone smell something; മുട (muda) is specifically a stench; and the noun for smell or scent appears here only inside compounds such as അത്യുഗ്രഗന്ധം (athyugragandham).
Common questions
How do you say smell in Malayalam?
മണക്കുക (manakkuka) for the verb; the noun for a smell is a separate Sanskrit word that shows up in the compounds on this page.
Why does the entry mention kissing?
The same verb covers the affectionate sniff-kiss given to babies, a usage still alive in Kerala homes.