കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ
kandittu kure naalayallo
In Malayalam, the phrase for 'long time no see' is കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ (kandittu kure naalayallo).
കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ is used as a friendly greeting when encountering someone after a significant period of time.
Meaning: idiomatic: I (or we) have not seen you for a long time (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down to 'having seen [you], many days have passed, right?'
Which one should you use?
Additionally, കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായി is a plain declaration meaning 'It has been a long time', whereas the default കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ uses a tag to act as an observational question: 'It has been a long time, hasn't it?'
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix '-allo' in കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ turns the statement into an observational tag question. Removing this suffix results in the plain declaration കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായി.
How do you pronounce it?
kandittu kure naalayallo
Did you know?
- Depending on the tone, the phrase can be used ironically. If you see someone you actually saw only yesterday, using കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ can be a playful way to tease them about their absence.
- In Kerala, saying കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ is often the start of a social ritual where both parties repeatedly ask about each other's health and family before the actual purpose of the visit is mentioned.
- The word നാൾ (naal), meaning 'day', is used here as a way to measure a general period of time. Even if the absence lasted months or years, saying 'many days have passed' remains the standard way to express a long duration.
Examples in context
- നിങ്ങളെ കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ.niṅṅaḷe kaṇḍiṭṭu kuṟe nāḷāyallō.It has been a long time since I saw you.
- അവനെ കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ.avane kaṇḍiṭṭu kuṟe nāḷāyallō.It has been a long time since I saw him.
Example conversation
Arjun meets Lakshmi at a shopping mall after many months.
- അർജുൻ Arjunലക്ഷ്മി, കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ!Lakshmi, kaṇḍiṭṭu kuṟe nāḷāyallō!Lakshmi, long time no see!
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഅതെ അർജുൻ, നമ്മൾ കണ്ടിട്ട് കുറെ നാളായല്ലോ.athe Arjun, nammaḷ kaṇḍiṭṭu kuṟe nāḷāyallō.Yes Arjun, it has been a long time since we met.
- അർജുൻ Arjunസുഖമാണോ?sukhamāṇō?Are you doing well?
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഅതെ, സുഖമാണ്.athe, sukhamāṇ.Yes, I am fine.
