കുറച്ച്
kuṟaccŭ/kurɐt͡ʃt͡ʃɨ/
In Malayalam, 'little bit' is translated as കുറച്ച് (kuṟaccŭ).
It functions as both a noun, meaning 'a little bit' and an adjective, meaning 'a little' or 'some'.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While കുറച്ച് is the common way to say 'a little bit', അല്പം is a more formal or literary alternative. Additionally, Svalpam serves as a formal option to describe a small quantity or degree.
How does it change in a sentence?
It does not change its form based on the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kuṟaccŭ.
Did you know?
- In Kerala, people often use കുറച്ച് as a softening agent to make a direct request sound more polite or less demanding.
- The formal version Svalpam has Sanskrit roots, making it sound much more sophisticated and 'high-brow' to a native ear than the everyday കുറച്ച്.
- The word കുറച്ച് is derived from the verb കുറയുക, which means 'to decrease' or 'to lessen'.
Examples in context
- കുറച്ച് വെള്ളം വേണംKuṟaccŭ veḷḷam vēṇam
- കുറച്ച് പണം തരാമോ?kurach panam tharaamo?Can you give me a little bit of money?
Example conversation
Lakshmi and Arjun are talking about tea.
- അർജുൻ Arjunചായയിൽ പഞ്ചസാര വേണോ?Chayayil panchasara veno?Do you want sugar in the tea?
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഅതെ, കുറച്ച് മതി.Athe, kurachu mathi.Yes, a little bit is enough.
- അർജുൻ Arjunശരി, ഞാൻ ഇട്ടുതരാം.Sheri, njan ittutharam.Okay, I will put it in for you.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiനന്ദി, അർജുൻ.Nandhi, Arjun.Thank you, Arjun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry കുറച്ച്, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries കുറച്ച്, CC BY-SA 4.0.
