പട്ടി
paṭṭi/pɐʈʈi/
The English word dog is translated into Malayalam as പട്ടി (paṭṭi) or നായ.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Malayalam | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| പട്ടി | paṭṭi | /pɐʈʈi/ |
| നായ | nāya | /n̪aːjɐ/ |
Both words refer to the animal known as a dog.
Which one should you use?
പട്ടി is the common, colloquial way to refer to a dog in everyday speech, whereas നായ is a more formal or literary form.
How do you pronounce it?
paṭṭi (/pɐʈʈi/)
Did you know?
- In traditional Kerala folklore and certain local beliefs, the appearance of a black dog at a crossroads is sometimes viewed as an omen.
- While പട്ടി refers to the animal, it is frequently used as a harsh insult in Malayalam to call someone low or shameless.
- The formal word നായ shares its roots with the word for 'dog' in Kannada, Tamil and Tulu.
Examples in context
- അവള്ക്കൊരു ചെറിയ കറുത്ത പട്ടിയുണ്ട്.She has a small black dog.This sentence is useful for learning how to use പട്ടി to describe a small black dog.Tatoeba #652653 by jjrodz, translation #315007 by CK
- ഇതെന്റെ നായയാണ്.This dog is mine.This sentence is useful for learning how to use നായ to indicate ownership.Tatoeba #1776839 by jjrodz, translation #983943 by Arraroak
- ആ പട്ടിക്കുട്ടി വളരെ കുറുമ്പനാണ്.aa pattikkutti valare kurumbanaan.That puppy is very naughty.
Example conversation
Manoj and Anjali are walking in a park.
- മനോജ് Manojഅഞ്ജലി, നോക്കൂ, അവിടെ ഒരു പട്ടി!Anjali, nokkoo, avide oru patti!Anjali, look, there is a dog there!
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഅത് വളരെ ക്യൂട്ട് ആണ്.athu valare cute aanu.It is very cute.
- മനോജ് Manojനമുക്ക് അതിനെ ഒന്ന് തൊട്ടു നോക്കാമോ?namukku athine onnu thottu nokkamo?Can we try to touch it?
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliവേണ്ട, അത് നമ്മളെ കടച്ചേക്കാം.venda, athu nammale kadachekkam.No, it might bite us.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dog” translations and entries പട്ടി, നായ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries നായ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
