Common Malayalam Phrases

Here are the everyday Malayalam phrases you will use most often - thanking, apologizing, asking for help, shopping, and giving simple directions. Keep in mind that Malayalis often show politeness through tone and verb endings rather than constant use of "please" and "thank you", so a warm "nandi" goes a long way. Adding the ending "-oo" to a verb (varoo, irikkoo) makes a request sound friendly and polite.