ശരി
śari/ʃɐɾi/
The Malayalam word for ok is ശരി (śari).
ശരി is used to express agreement, acceptance or to acknowledge that something is correct.
Meaning: acknowledgement or acceptance (intj)
Which one should you use?
While ശരി is a simple acknowledgement, the form ശരിയാണ് is a more complete way to say 'it is correct' or 'that is right'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃɐɾi/
Did you know?
- The word ശരി is also used to describe something that is 'straight' or 'aligned', linking the idea of correctness with physical linearity.
- While ശരി means 'ok', using it with a slightly falling intonation can actually signal that you are bored or impatient with the speaker.
- ശരി is a cognate with the Kannada ಸರಿ, Tamil சரி and Telugu సరే, showing a shared linguistic root across the major Dravidian languages of South India.
Examples in context
- ശരി, ഞാൻ വരാം.shari, njan varam.Ok, I will come.
- ശരി, നമുക്ക് പോകാം.shari, namukku pokam.Ok, let's go.
Example conversation
Sridevi and Manoj are deciding when to meet.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviനമുക്ക് നാളെ കാണാം.namukku naale kaanaam.Let's meet tomorrow.
- മനോജ് Manojശരി, സമയം പറയൂ.shari, samayam parayoo.Ok, tell me the time.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviവൈകുന്നേരം അഞ്ചു മണിക്ക്.vaikunneram anchu manikku.At five in the evening.
- മനോജ് Manojശരി, ഞാൻ അവിടെ ഉണ്ടാകും.shari, njaan avide undaakum.Ok, I will be there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ശരി, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ശരി, CC BY-SA 4.0.
