മുല
mula/mulɐ/
The English word 'breast' can be translated into Malayalam as മുല (mula) or സ്തനം (stanaṁ).
Meaning: milk-producing organ (noun)
Ways to say it
| Malayalam | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| മുല | mula | /mulɐ/ |
| സ്തനം | stanaṁ |
Both terms refer to the milk-producing organ. The term മുല is used as a prefix to form the word for breast milk: മുലപ്പാൽ (mulappāl).
Which one should you use?
സ്തനം (stanaṁ) is the formal or medical term for breast, whereas മുല (mula) is the common, everyday term.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
മുല (mula) is the colloquial and more blunt term for breast.
How do you pronounce it?
mula (/mulɐ/)
Did you know?
- In traditional Malayalam culture, the word മുല is often replaced by metaphors or euphemisms in polite company to avoid the bluntness of the term.
- The word സ്തനം comes from Sanskrit, whereas മുല is an indigenous word inherited from Proto-South Dravidian.
- The term മുല is used in several idiomatic expressions to describe nourishment and motherly care beyond the physical organ.
Examples in context
- മുലയിലെ പാൽ കുട്ടിക്ക് ആവശ്യമാണ്.mulayile paal kuttikku aavashyamaanu.The milk in the breast is necessary for the baby.
- അവളുടെ മുലയിൽ വേദനയുണ്ട്.avalude mulayil vedanayundu.She has pain in her breast.
- മുലപ്പാൽ കുട്ടികൾക്ക് വളരെ നല്ലതാണ്.mulappaal kuttikalkku valare nallathaanu.Breast milk is very good for babies.
Example conversation
Vishnu and Lakshmi are discussing infant health.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiകുഞ്ഞിന് മുലപ്പാൽ കൊടുക്കുന്നത് നല്ലതാണ്.kunjinu mulappal kodukkunnathu nallathanu.It is good to give breast milk to the baby.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഅത് ശരിയാണ്, ലക്ഷ്മി.athu sariyannu, lakshmi.That is true, Lakshmi.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഎന്റെ മുലയിൽ ചെറിയ വേദനയുണ്ട്.ente mulayil cheriya vedanayundu.I have a slight pain in my breast.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuനീ ഒരു ഡോക്ടറെ കാണണം.nee oru doctore kaananum.You should see a doctor.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “breast” translations and entries മുല, സ്തനം, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries മുല, സ്തനം, CC BY-SA 4.0.