Vital in Malayalam
മര്മ്മം (marmmam) is the vital spot, the place on the body where a blow is fatal, and by extension the key point of any matter. Say mar-mam. Martial arts and courtroom argument both use it.
Vital spot or organ of the body; (idm.) main point or part of anything, key point, main secret, vulnerable spot or point, the quintessential.
കാര്യത്തിന്റെ മര്മ്മം അവന് പെട്ടെന്ന് മനസ്സിലാക്കി
kaaryathinte marmmam avan pettennu manassilaakki
He quickly grasped the crux of the matter.
All Malayalam words for “vital”
- മര്മ്മം (marmmam) — Vital spot or organ of the body; (idm.) main point or part of anything, key point, main secret, vulnerable spot or point, the quintessential.
- ആയുസ്സ് (aayuss) — Duration of life, life time, life, vital power.
The adjective vital in the sense of essential is not in this list; ആയുസ്സ് (aayuss) is lifespan and vital power, the life force rather than importance.
Common questions
How do you say vital in Malayalam?
A vital spot or vital organ is മര്മ്മം (marmmam); for vital meaning essential you need a word for importance, which is not an entry here.
Does the word have a figurative sense?
Yes, the crux or secret heart of a matter, which is why people speak of touching the മര്മ്മം (marmmam) of an argument.