Unless in Malayalam
ഇല്ലെങ്കിൽ (illenkil) carries unless, and Malayalam attaches it to a negative verb instead of putting a conjunction at the front. Where English says unless you study, Malayalam says the equivalent of if you did not study, with this ending doing the work. It is everywhere in speech and needs no formal register.
Unless, if not; Malayalam attaches -illenkil or -enkil to a negative verb, as in padichillenkil, unless you study.
മഴ നിന്നില്ലെങ്കിൽ ഞങ്ങൾ പോകില്ല.
mazha ninnillenkil njangal pokilla.
Unless the rain stops we will not go.
Dictionary entry
- ഇല്ലെങ്കിൽ (illenkil) — Unless, if not; Malayalam attaches -illenkil or -enkil to a negative verb, as in padichillenkil, unless you study.
There is no separate word order for unless; the condition has to be built into the verb, which is the main hurdle for learners.
Common questions
How do you say unless in Malayalam?
Unless is expressed with ഇല്ലെങ്കിൽ (illenkil), attached to a negative verb.
Why does Malayalam have no separate word for unless?
Because conditions are marked on the verb, and adding this ending to a negative form already says if not, which is what unless means.