അളിയൻ
aliyan
The English phrase "brother-in-law" is translated into Malayalam as അളിയൻ (aliyan).
അളിയൻ refers to the brother of one's spouse or the husband of one's sibling. In colloquial Malayalam, it is also frequently used as a friendly or teasing term of address for a male friend, similar to how English speakers might use "dude" or "bro".
How do you pronounce it?
aliyan
When do people say it?
When used among peers, calling a male friend അളിയൻ serves as a friendly or teasing way to address them.
Did you know?
- While English uses one term for all brothers-in-law, Malayalam kinship terms can change based on whether the person is older or younger than the speaker.
- In its ancient form, the ancestor of അളിയൻ actually referred to a 'nephew' or 'son-in-law' rather than a 'brother-in-law'.
- Using അളിയൻ with a stranger might be perceived as overly familiar or cheeky, depending on the social setting.
Examples in context
- എന്റെ അളിയൻ ഇന്ന് വരുന്നുണ്ട്.ente aliyan innu varunnundu.My brother-in-law is coming today.
- അളിയൻ എവിടെ ജോലി ചെയ്യുന്നു?aliyan evide joli cheyyunnu?Where does your brother-in-law work?
Example conversation
Manoj and Lakshmi are discussing a family gathering.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiമനോജ്, അളിയൻ എപ്പോഴാണ് എത്തുന്നത്?Manoj, aliyan eppozhanu etthunnathu?Manoj, when is your brother-in-law arriving?
- മനോജ് Manojഅദ്ദേഹം വൈകുന്നേരം വരും.Addeham vaikunneram varum.He will come in the evening.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiനമുക്ക് അദ്ദേഹത്തെ സ്വീകരിക്കാം.Namukku addehatthe sweekarikkaam.Let us welcome him.
- മനോജ് Manojശരി, നമുക്ക് തയ്യാറെടുക്കാം.Sheri, namukku thayyaredukkaam.Okay, let's get ready.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries അളിയൻ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
