കഴിക്കുക
kaḻikkuka/kɐɻikkjuɡɐ/
The Malayalam verb for 'eat' (to eat a meal) is കഴിക്കുക (kaḻikkuka).
The verb കഴിക്കുക is used when referring to consuming a meal. In many contexts, it is used alongside the noun ഭക്ഷണം (food) to form the phrase ഭക്ഷണം കഴിക്കുക, meaning 'to eat food'.
Meaning: eat a meal (verb)
Which one should you use?
While കഴിക്കുക is the standard term, the word തിന്നുക also means 'to eat'. However, തിന്നുക is a blunt or informal version and can sound rude if used with elders or in formal settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
കഴിക്കുക is a polite and standard way to say 'to eat' when referring to consuming a meal. In contrast, തിന്നുക is a more blunt or informal way to say 'to eat' and can sound rude if used with elders or in formal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes based on the tense: the past tense is കഴിച്ചു (ate), and the present continuous or habitual form is കഴിക്കുന്നു (is eating / eats).
How do you pronounce it?
kaḻikkuka
Did you know?
- While കഴിക്കുക means 'to eat', it also means 'to spend' when referring to time. For example, the same word is used to describe spending an hour or a day.
- To politely ask if someone has eaten, it is common to use കഴിച്ചോ (did you eat) as a general greeting of care, similar to 'how are you'.
- In traditional Kerala culture, the act of eating ഭക്ഷണം is often preceded by washing the hands and feet, as the meal is traditionally eaten sitting on the floor.
Example conversation
Manoj and Meera are talking about lunch in the kitchen.
- മീര Meeraമനോജ്, ഭക്ഷണം കഴിക്കുക.manōj, bhakshanam kazhikkuka.Manoj, eat your food.
- മനോജ് Manojഞാൻ ഇപ്പോൾ കഴിക്കാം.ñān ippōḷ kazhikkām.I will eat now.
- മീര Meeraഭക്ഷണം തണുത്തു പോകും.bhakshanam thanutthu pōkum.The food will get cold.
- മനോജ് Manojശരി, ഞാൻ ഉടൻ കഴിക്കുകയാകും.shari, ñān uḍan kazhikkukayākum.Okay, I will be eating soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry കഴിക്കുക, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
