മത്തങ്ങ
mattaṅṅa/mɐt̪t̪ɐŋŋɐ/
The Malayalam word for pumpkin is മത്തങ്ങ (mattaṅṅa).
The term refers to the fruit of the pumpkin plant.
Meaning: fruit of this plant (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is mattaṅṅa.
Did you know?
- The word മത്തങ്ങ is built from the root മത്തൻ, which means 'intoxicated' or 'drunk' in Malayalam. This suggests a historical connection between the plant and a sense of being overcome or heavy.
- While English speakers associate pumpkins with Halloween, in Kerala, മത്തങ്ങ is a common ingredient in traditional 'Sadhya' feasts, often appearing in creamy, sweet coconut-based stews.
- When shopping in a local market, you will find മത്തങ്ങ categorized with 'valli' or vine-based vegetables instead of being in a fruit section.
Examples in context
- മത്തങ്ങ വലിപ്പമുള്ളതാണ്.mathanga valippamullathaanu.The pumpkin is large.
- എനിക്ക് മത്തങ്ങ ഇഷ്ടമാണ്.enikku mathanga ishtamaanu.I like pumpkin.
Example conversation
At a local vegetable market.
- മനോജ് Manojഈ മത്തങ്ങ എത്രയാണ്?ee mathanga ethrayaanu?How much is this pumpkin?
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഅൻപത് രൂപയാണ്.anpathu rupayaanu.It is fifty rupees.
- മനോജ് Manojശരി, ഒരു മത്തങ്ങ തരിക.shari, oru mathanga tharika.Okay, give me one pumpkin.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഇതാ പിടിച്ചോളൂ.itha pidicholu.Here, take it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pumpkin” translations and entries മത്തങ്ങ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries മത്തങ്ങ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
