പോ
po
The English phrase 'get lost' is translated into Malayalam as പോ (po).
While the word പോ literally means 'go', when spoken in a sharp or dismissive tone, it functions as 'get lost'.
Meaning: go away! (intj)
Which one should you use?
You can also use specific variations depending on who you are addressing: പോടാ is used when addressing a male, and പോടി is used when addressing a female.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form പോ is informal and is used with friends, younger people or in a rude manner to tell someone to go away.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix '-ടാ' (-da) to പോ makes the command പോടാ sound more aggressive or extremely casual when addressing a male. Similarly, adding the suffix '-ടി' (-di) to പോ makes the command പോടി sound more aggressive or extremely casual when addressing a female.
How do you pronounce it?
po
Did you know?
- In a playful or flirtatious context between young people, പോടി can be used as a teasing response to a compliment, similar to saying 'oh, stop it'.
- Malayalam has a complex system of 'honorifics', meaning there are entirely different verbs for 'go' depending on the respect owed to the person being told to leave.
- The verbal-suffix system used in പോടാ and പോടി is a hallmark of Dravidian languages, where social standing is often embedded directly into the grammar of verbs.
Examples in context
- ഇവിടെ നിന്ന് പോ.ivide ninnu po.Go away from here.
- നീ ഇനി പോ.nee ini po.Just go away now.
- എന്റെ മുന്നിൽ നിന്ന് പോ!ente munnil ninnu po!Get lost from in front of me!
Example conversation
Manoj is annoying Sridevi while she is studying.
- മനോജ് Manojഎന്താണ് നീ ഇവിടെ നോക്കുന്നത്?Enthanu nee ivide nokkunnathu?What are you looking at here?
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviമനോജ്, എന്നെ ശല്യപ്പെടുത്താതെ പോ!Manoj, enne shalyappeduthathe po!Manoj, get lost and stop bothering me!
- മനോജ് Manojഞാൻ ചുമ്മാ ചോദിച്ചതാണ്.Njan chumma chodhichathanu.I was just asking.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഎനിക്ക് പഠിക്കണം, വേഗം പോ.Enikku padikkanam, vegam po.I need to study, get lost quickly.
