നമസ്കാരം
namaskāraṁ/n̪ɐmɐskaːɾɐm/
നമസ്കാരം (namaskāraṁ) is the Malayalam way to say "namaskar", a respectful greeting used for hello or goodbye.
നമസ്കാരം is a respectful greeting used to say hello or goodbye. While it serves as a general greeting, it is most commonly used in formal settings, such as when addressing an audience or giving a speech.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is namaskāraṁ and the IPA is /n̪ɐmɐskaːɾɐm/.
Did you know?
- Because നമസ്കാരം carries a weight of formal respect, using it with very close friends or small children might actually feel slightly awkward or jokingly overly dramatic.
- In Kerala, a verbal നമസ്കാരം is often accompanied by the 'Anjali Mudra', a gesture where the palms are pressed together at the chest.
- The word is composed of 'nama' meaning 'bow' and 'kara' meaning 'doing', literally translating to the act of 'making a bow'.
Examples in context
- നമസ്കാരം, സുഖമാണോ?namaskāram, sukhamāṇō?Hello, how are you?
- എല്ലാവർക്കും എന്റെ നമസ്കാരം.ellāvarkkum enṭe namaskāram.My respectful greetings to everyone.
- പോയി വരാം, നമസ്കാരം.pōyi varām, namaskāram.I will leave now, goodbye.
Example conversation
Arjun and Anjali meet at a formal event.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliനമസ്കാരം, അർജുൻ.Namaskaram, Arjun.Hello, Arjun.
- അർജുൻ Arjunനമസ്കാരം, അഞ്ജലി. സുഖമാണോ?Namaskaram, Anjali. Sukhamano?Hello, Anjali. Are you doing well?
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഅതെ, എനിക്ക് സുഖമാണ്.Athe, enikku sukhamanu.Yes, I am doing well.
- അർജുൻ Arjunസന്തോഷം, നമുക്ക് അകത്തേക്ക് പോകാം.Santhosham, namukku akathekku pokam.Glad to hear, let's go inside.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry നമസ്കാരം, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries നമസ്കാരം, CC BY-SA 4.0.
