ശരിക്കും
śarikkuṁ/ʃɐɾikkum/
The English word "really" can be translated into Malayalam as ശരിക്കും (śarikkuṁ).
As an adverb, ശരിക്കും is used to mean "actually" or to modify adjectives and verbs to indicate the truth or the intensity of a state. It can also function as an interjection to express surprise or to request confirmation of new information.
Meaning: actually (adv)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adverb, ശരിക്കും functions to modify verbs or adjectives. When used as a standalone question with a rising intonation, it acts as an interjection expressing surprise at a fact.
How do you pronounce it?
śarikkuṁ (/ʃɐɾikkum/)
Did you know?
- The word ശരിക്കും is derived from ശരി, which means 'right' or 'correct'. In Malayalam, the concept of 'reality' is linguistically tied to the concept of 'correctness'.
- While ശരിക്കും means 'actually', using the word സത്യമായും (satyamaayum) instead can make you sound like a character in a formal historical drama or a serious speech.
- If you want to express 'really' in the sense of 'truly' or 'sincerely' during an emotional moment, the word ഹൃദയപൂർവ്വം (hrudayapoorvam) is often used, which literally relates to the 'heart'.
Examples in context
- ശരിക്കും?Really?This example shows how to use ശരിക്കും as a question to express surprise.Tatoeba #7896041 by lonewolfie, translation #373216 by kotobaboke
- ഞാന് ശരിക്കും തളര്ന്നു.I'm really tired.This example demonstrates using ശരിക്കും as an adverb to modify an adjective.Tatoeba #2188437 by dochash, translation #433727 by CK
- ശരിക്കും ആ സിനിമ നല്ലതായിരുന്നു.sherikkum aa cinema nallathayirunnu.Actually, that movie was good.
Example conversation
Anjali and Manoj are discussing a movie they recently watched.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliനിനക്ക് ആ സിനിമ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടോ?ninakku aa cinema ishtappetto?Did you like that movie?
- മനോജ് Manojഅതെ, ശരിക്കും നല്ലൊരു സിനിമയായിരുന്നു.athe, sherikkum nalloru cinemayayirunnu.Yes, it was actually a good movie.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഞാൻ വിചാരിച്ചില്ല.njan vicharichilla.I didn't think so.
- മനോജ് Manojഅതൊരു നല്ല സിനിമയാണ്.athoru nalla cinemayanu.It is a good movie.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “really” translations and entries ശരിക്കും, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
