ഓണം
ōṇaṁ/oːɳɐm/
ഓണം (ōṇaṁ) is the Malayalam word for the harvest festival Onam.
Meaning: harvest festival (name)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Malabar region, people use the phrase Onam varavayi to refer to the arrival of Onam. In central Kerala, people may use the phrase Onam varunnu to indicate the arrival of Onam.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ōṇaṁ. The IPA pronunciation is /oːɳɐm/.
When do people say it?
ഓണം is a major harvest festival celebrated in the state of Kerala.
Did you know?
- The word ഓണം evolved from the Sanskrit word for the month of 'Shravana' through a series of linguistic shortenings in Prakrit, where 'savana' became 'avana' before reaching its current form.
- While ഓണം is a harvest festival, it is celebrated by people of all religions in Kerala, making it a secular cultural event rather than a purely religious one.
- The festival is traditionally celebrated with 'Onasadya', a grand feast served on a banana leaf where the order of the dishes is strictly prescribed by custom.
Examples in context
- എനിക്ക് ഓണം ഇഷ്ടമാണ്.enikku onam ishtamaanu.I like Onam.
- ഈ വർഷത്തെ ഓണം എപ്പോഴാണ്?ee varshathe onam eppozhaanu?When is Onam this year?
- ഞങ്ങൾ ഓണം ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നു.njangal onam aagoshikkunnu.We are celebrating Onam.
Example conversation
Sridevi and Vishnu are discussing their holiday plans.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഈ ഓണത്തിന് നാട്ടിൽ പോകുന്നുണ്ടോ?Ee Onathinu nattil pokunnundo?Are you going home this Onam?
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅതെ, ഞാൻ ഓണത്തിന് നാട്ടിൽ പോകും.Athe, njan Onathinu nattil pokum.Yes, I will go home for Onam.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഅവിടെ നല്ല ആഘോഷം ആയിരിക്കും.Avide nalla aghosham ayirikkum.There will be a great celebration there.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅതെ, എനിക്ക് ഓണം ഒരുപാട് ഇഷ്ടമാണ്.Athe, enikku Onam orupadu ishtamanu.Yes, I like Onam very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onam” translations and entries ഓണം, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ഓണം, CC BY-SA 4.0.
