ഇവിടെ വാ
ivide vaa
To say "come here" in Malayalam, use ഇവിടെ വാ (ivide vaa).
The phrase is a command used to tell someone to move toward the speaker's current location.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ഇവിടെ (ivide) meaning "here" and വാ (vaa) meaning "come".
Which one should you use?
You can also use Nee ivide vaa to address someone directly in an informal manner.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ഇവിടെ വാ is the informal form used with friends, children or people younger than you. For a polite or formal version, use ഇവിടെ വരൂ instead of വാ.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you want to express the infinitive "to come here" rather than giving a direct command, use ഇവിടെ വരിക.
How do you pronounce it?
ivide vaa
Did you know?
- While ഇവിടെ വാ is the spoken command, a person in Kerala may gesture for someone to 'come here' by sweeping their fingers toward themselves, rather than using a palm-up waving motion.
- While 'come here' is a simple command, using the informal വാ with a stranger in Kerala can be seen as a major social transgression rather than just a casual slip.
- The word ഇവിടെ (here) is built from a root meaning 'place' or 'space' (ഇട), which is also used in Malayalam to describe the gaps between objects or the 'room' available in a vehicle.
Examples in context
- ഇവിടെ വാ.ivide va.Come here.
- മോനേ, ഇവിടെ വാ.mone, ivide va.Son, come here.
- ഒന്ന് ഇവിടെ വാ.onnu ivide va.Come here for a moment.
Example conversation
Vishnu is calling Meera to help him with something.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuമീര, ഇവിടെ വാ.Meera, ivide va.Meera, come here.
- മീര Meeraഞാൻ വരുന്നു.njan varunnu.I am coming.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഎനിക്ക് ഇത് കാണിച്ചുതരു.enikku ithu kanichutharu.Show this to me.
- മീര Meeraശരി, ഇതാ നോക്കൂ.shari, itha nokkoo.Okay, look here.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ഇവിടെ, വാ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
