ചെറിയ
ceṟiya/t͡ʃerijɐ/
The English word "little" translates to Malayalam as ചെറിയ (ceṟiya).
ചെറിയ is used to describe something that is small in physical size. When you want to refer to a small thing as a noun, you can use the neuter singular form ചെറുത്.
Meaning: small in size (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use ചെറിയ to describe physical size, whereas അല്പം is used to describe a small amount or quantity (a little or a bit).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ചെറിയ is the attributive form of the adjective, which means it is used when the word precedes a noun. The form ചെറുത് can function as a noun meaning "small thing."
How do you pronounce it?
ceṟiya (IPA: /tʃerijɐ/)
Did you know?
- The root ചെറു can be combined with other words to create entirely new concepts, such as terms for 'short-tempered' or 'brief'.
- While ചെറിയ describes physical size, using it to describe a person's age or status can sometimes imply they are 'younger' or 'junior' in a social hierarchy.
- The word ചെറിയ shares a common ancestor with the Kannada word ಕಿರಿಯ, making it part of a linguistic family that spans much of Southern India.
Examples in context
- അവൻ അല്പം നേരം കഴിഞ്ഞുവന്നു. (Avan alpam neram kazhinjuvannu.)He came a little late.
- എനിക്ക് ഒരു ചെറിയ പാത്രം വേണം.enikku oru cheriya paathram venam.I want a small bowl.
- അതൊരു ചെറിയ വീടാണ്.athoru cheriya veedaanu.That is a small house.
- ഈ ചെറിയ കുട്ടി പതുക്കെ നടക്കുന്നു.ee cheriya kutti pathukke nadakkunnu.This little child walks slowly.
Example conversation
Anjali and Rahul are looking at a gift in a shop.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഈ ചെറിയ ബോക്സ് കാണൂ.ee cheriya box kaanoo.Look at this small box.
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅതിനകത്ത് എന്താണ്?athinakathu enthaanu?What is inside it?
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഅതിലൊരു ചെറിയ സമ്മാനമുണ്ട്.athiloru cheriya sammaanammundu.There is a small gift inside.
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅത് നല്ലതാണ്.athu nallathaanu.That is good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little” translations and entries ചെറിയ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ചെറിയ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
