നല്ലത്
nallatŭ/n̪ɐllɐd̪ɨ/
The English phrase "nice" is expressed in Malayalam as നല്ലത് (nallatŭ).
The terms are used to describe things or people that are attractive or friendly. While നല്ലത് acts as a neuter singular noun or adjective meaning "a good thing," the form നല്ല is the more versatile choice for everyday speech when you want to describe a person or an object.
Meaning: attractive, friendly (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form നല്ലത് (nallatŭ) functions as a neuter singular noun or adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
/n̪ɐllɐd̪ɨ/ (nallatŭ)
Did you know?
- In colloquial speech, നല്ല is frequently doubled as നല്ല നല്ല to emphasize that something is exceptionally nice or high quality.
- When describing a person's character, using നല്ല can imply they are 'virtuous' or 'pure-hearted' rather than just being 'pleasant' to be around.
- In Malayalam, saying നല്ല (nalla) followed by a noun can actually change the meaning from 'nice' to 'very' or 'big' in certain colloquial contexts, such as describing a 'big' problem.
Examples in context
- നിങ്ങൾ പറഞ്ഞത് നല്ലത് ആണ്.ningal paranjathu nallathu aanu.What you said is nice.
Example conversation
Rahul and Sreedevi are talking about a new painting.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviരാഹുൽ, ഈ ചിത്രം നോക്കൂ.Rahul, ee chithram nokkoo.Rahul, look at this picture.
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅത് ശരിക്കും നല്ലത് ആണ്.Athu sherikkum nallathu aanu.That is really nice.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviനിങ്ങൾക്ക് നിറങ്ങൾ ഇഷ്ടമായോ?Ningalkku nirangal ishtamaayo?Did you like the colors?
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅതെ, എല്ലാം നല്ലത് ആണ്.Athe, ellaam nallathu aanu.Yes, everything is nice.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry നല്ലത്, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
