പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട
priyappeṭṭa/prijɐppeʈʈɐ/
The English word "dear" is translated into Malayalam as പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട (priyappeṭṭa).
The word പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട is used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is loved or lovable.
Meaning: loved, lovable (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of priya (dear/beloved) and the suffix -peṭṭa, which turns the noun or adjective into a participial adjective meaning "having been" or "characterized by".
Which one should you use?
While the root priya can function as a noun or a name, പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട is the specific form used to describe someone as being dear to someone else, such as in the phrase "dear friend".
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട remains invariant, meaning it does not change regardless of the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
priyappeṭṭa (/prijɐppeʈʈɐ/)
Did you know?
- The word priya shares a linguistic lineage with the English word 'precious', as both stem from ancient Indo-European roots signifying value and affection.
- In Malayalam, the word പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട can be used to describe an object one is emotionally attached to, but using it for a romantic partner in casual speech is often seen as overly poetic or dramatic.
- The root priya is actually a Sanskrit-derived word, meaning it is part of a 'Tatsama' group of words that are shared with many other Indian languages like Hindi or Tamil.
Examples in context
- എന്റെ പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട കൂട്ടുകാരൻ.ente priyappetta koottukaaran.My dear friend.
- അവൾ എന്റെ പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട സഹോദരിയാണ്.aval ente priyappetta sahodariyaanu.She is my dear sister.
Example conversation
Arjun is giving a gift to Lakshmi.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഇതെന്താണ് അർജുൻ?Ithenthaannu Arjun?What is this, Arjun?
- അർജുൻ Arjunഎന്റെ പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട ലക്ഷ്മിക്ക് ഒരു ചെറിയ സമ്മാനം.Ente priyappetta Lakshmikku oru cheriya sammanam.A small gift for my dear Lakshmi.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiവളരെ നന്ദി അർജുൻ!Valare nandi Arjun!Thank you very much, Arjun!
- അർജുൻ Arjunനിനക്ക് ഇത് ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടുവെന്ന് കരുതുന്നു.Ninakk ithu ishtappettuvennu karuthunnu.I hope you liked it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
