ഒന്നുമില്ല
onnumilla
The Malayalam word for "nothing" is ഒന്നുമില്ല (onnumilla).
ഒന്നുമില്ല is used to express that nothing exists or is present. It is used as a standalone response to questions such as "What happened?" (എന്തുണ്ടായി?)
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a combination of onnum, meaning "anything" or "one thing" and illa, meaning "does not exist" or "is not there".
How does it change in a sentence?
ഒന്നുമില്ല is the negative existential form used to state that nothing is present.
How do you pronounce it?
onnumilla
Did you know?
- While ഒന്നുമില്ല literally means 'nothing', it is frequently used as a social lubricant to politely deflect curiosity or avoid explaining a personal mood when someone asks 'what is the matter?'
- Malayalam uses the root ഒന്ന് ('one') within ഒന്നുമില്ല to construct the idea of 'nothing', effectively saying 'not even one thing' to denote total absence.
- The word ഒന്നുമില്ല can be used quite dramatically in films to signal a complete lack of hope or a tragic emptiness, moving far beyond a simple inventory check.
Examples in context
- ഒന്നും പറയില്ലI have nothing to say.
- എന്റെ കയ്യിൽ ഒന്നുമില്ല.ente kayyil onnumilla.I have nothing in my hand.
- അവിടെ ഒന്നുമില്ല.avide onnumilla.There is nothing there.
- എനിക്ക് ഒന്നും അറിയില്ല, ഒന്നുമില്ല.enikku onnum ariyilla, onnumilla.I don't know anything, there is nothing.
Example conversation
Arjun asks Sridevi what is in her bag.
- അർജുൻ Arjunശ്രീദേവി, നിന്റെ ബാഗിൽ എന്താണുള്ളത്?Sridevi, ninte bagil enthanullathu?Sridevi, what is in your bag?
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅതിൽ ഒന്നുമില്ല, അർജുൻ.athil onnumilla, Arjun.There is nothing in it, Arjun.
- അർജുൻ Arjunസത്യമാണോ?sathyamano?Is that true?
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅതെ, ഒന്നുമില്ല.athe, onnumilla.Yes, there is nothing.
