കറുപ്പ്
kaṟuppŭ/kɐruppɨ/
The Malayalam word for black is കറുപ്പ് (kaṟuppŭ).
കറുപ്പ് refers to the color black, which is the property of absorbing all light.
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using black as an adjective to describe a noun, the form changes from the noun കറുപ്പ് to the adjective കറുത്ത.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɐruppɨ/
Did you know?
- When describing a person's complexion as 'dark' or 'black', speakers often use words related to 'darkness' rather than the literal color word കറുപ്പ് to avoid sounding overly blunt.
- In the related Telugu language, the term for gunpowder is నల్లమందు, which literally translates to 'black medicine'.
- Depending on the context of literature, the Sanskrit-derived 'kāla' can evoke a sense of time or darkness, adding a layer of complexity to the simple concept of 'black'.
Examples in context
- കറുത്ത പൂച്ചBlack cat
- ഈ കാർ കറുപ്പ് നിറമാണ്.ee kaar karuppu nirayaamanu.This car is black in color.
Example conversation
Arjun and Sreedevi are choosing a shirt for a party.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅർജുൻ, ഈ ഷർട്ട് എങ്ങനെയുണ്ട്?Arjun, ee shirt enganeyundu?Arjun, how is this shirt?
- അർജുൻ Arjunഇത് കറുപ്പ് നിറമാണ്, നല്ലതാണ്.ithu karuppu nirayaamanu, nallathaanu.It is black, it is good.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഎനിക്ക് കറുപ്പ് കൂടുതൽ ഇഷ്ടമാണ്.enikku karuppu kooduthal ishtamaanu.I like black more.
- അർജുൻ Arjunശരി, നമുക്ക് ഇത് വാങ്ങാം.shari, namukku ithu vaangaam.Okay, let's buy this.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black” translations and entries കറുപ്പ്, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries കറുപ്പ്, CC BY-SA 4.0.
