ഇടനേരം
iṭanēraṁ/iɖän̪eːɾɐm/
The English phrase afternoon is translated into Malayalam as ഇടനേരം (iṭanēraṁ). Wiktionary also lists അപരാഹ്നം (aparāhnaṁ).
Meaning: part of the day between noon and evening (noun)
Ways to say it
| Malayalam | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ഇടനേരം | iṭanēraṁ | /iɖän̪eːɾɐm/ |
| അപരാഹ്നം | aparāhnaṁ | /ɐbɐɾaːhnɐm/ |
The term refers to the part of the day between noon and evening.
Which one should you use?
While ഇടനേരം is a standard term, അപരാഹ്നം is also a valid way to refer to the afternoon. For specifically indicating the time following the midday meal or the noon hour, you can use the phrase ഉച്ചയ്ക്ക് ശേഷം.
How do you pronounce it?
iṭanēraṁ (/iɖän̪eːɾɐm/)
Did you know?
- In highly formal or literary Malayalam, the division of the day is strictly categorized into eight 'yamas', making അപരാഹ്നം part of a rigid ancient system.
- Unlike English, which uses 'afternoon' as a greeting, Malayalam speakers rarely use these terms as standalone greetings like 'Good afternoon'.
- In many parts of Kerala, instead of specifying 'afternoon', people may simply refer to the time by the movement of the sun, such as 'sun's descent' in more literary contexts.
Example sentences for Malayalam are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Anjali and Vishnu are planning a meeting time.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuനമുക്ക് എപ്പോഴാണ് കാണേണ്ടത്?namukku eppozhaanu kaanendathu?When should we meet?
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഈ ഇടനേരം മതിയാകുമോ?ee idaneram mathiyaakumo?Will this afternoon be enough?
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഅതെ, എനിക്ക് സമയം ഉണ്ട്.athe, enikku samayam undu.Yes, I have time.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliശരി, അപ്പോൾ കാണാം.shari, appol kaanam.Okay, see you then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “afternoon” translations and entries ഇടനേരം, അപരാഹ്നം, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
