ശുഭരാത്രി
shubharathri
The English phrase "good night" is translated into Malayalam as ശുഭരാത്രി (shubharathri).
ശുഭരാത്രി is used as a farewell. In casual daily conversation, Malayalam speakers are more likely to use English loanwords or simply say goodbye rather than using this formal Sanskrit-derived term.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ശുഭരാത്രി is a compound of shubha (good/auspicious) and rathri (night).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ശുഭരാത്രി is a formal term and is most commonly used in written media, broadcasts or formal speeches. Another formal way to say "good night" is Rathri Subhagam.
How do you pronounce it?
shubharathri
Did you know?
- While ശുഭരാത്രി is the standard translation for 'good night', many Malayalam speakers avoid it in person because the word shubha carries a heavy connotation of 'auspiciousness' and 'divine blessing' rather than just a pleasant experience.
- Despite being a Malayalam phrase, ശുഭരാത്രി is understood by speakers of Tamil and Kannada because those languages also borrowed the same Sanskrit components for 'auspicious' and 'night'.
- Because ശുഭരാത്രി is so formal, using it with a close friend or sibling in a casual setting can be interpreted as a joke or a way of teasing someone for acting too posh.
Examples in context
- എല്ലാവർക്കും ശുഭരാത്രി.ellavarkkum shubharathri.Good night to everyone.
- ശുഭരാത്രി, നാളെ കാണാം.shubharathri, nale kaanam.Good night, see you tomorrow.
- അമ്മയ്ക്ക് ശുഭരാത്രി നേരുന്നു.ammaykku shubharathri nerunnu.Wishing mother a good night.
Example conversation
Vishnu and Anjali are saying goodbye before going to sleep.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഞാൻ ഉറങ്ങാൻ പോകുന്നു.Njan urangan pokunnu.I am going to sleep.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuശരി അഞ്ജലി, ശുഭരാത്രി.Sheri Anjali, shubharathri.Okay Anjali, good night.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliശുഭരാത്രി വിഷ്ണു.Shubharathri Vishnu.Good night Vishnu.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuസ്വപ്നങ്ങൾ കാണൂ.Swapnangal kanoo.Sweet dreams.
