നാണമുള്ള
nāṇamuḷḷa
The English word shy is translated into Malayalam as നാണമുള്ള (nāṇamuḷḷa).
The word describes someone who is reserved. While നാണമുള്ള is a general adjective used to describe a quality, you may also use specific noun forms to refer to people.
Meaning: reserved (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
നാണമുള്ള is a compound of നാണം (nāṇam), which means shame or bashfulness and the suffix -മുള്ള (-uḷḷa), which means having or possessing.
Which one should you use?
നാണമുള്ള is the general adjective for shy. If you want to specifically refer to a shy man or boy, you use the noun നാണക്കാരൻ. To refer to a shy woman or girl, use the feminine noun നാണക്കാരി.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective used to describe a noun, നാണമുള്ള functions as an attributive adjective, meaning it is placed directly before the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
nāṇamuḷḷa
Did you know?
- While നാണമുള്ള describes a shy person, the root നാണം is often used as a polite euphemism for modesty or bridal bashfulness in traditional wedding songs and literature.
- While English uses the same word 'shy' for both people and animals, Malayalam often uses different roots when describing the timidity of animals.
- In Malayalam, being 'shy' can be a compliment to a person's character, whereas in English, 'shame' is almost always a negative or heavy concept.
Examples in context
- അവൾ ഒരു നാണമുള്ള കുട്ടിയാണ്.aval oru naanamulla kuttiyaanu.She is a shy girl.
- അവൻ കുറച്ച് നാണമുള്ള സ്വഭാവക്കാരനാണ്.avan kurachu naanamulla swabhavakkaraanaan.He has a somewhat shy nature.
- എനിക്ക് പുതിയ ആളുകളോട് സംസാരിക്കാൻ നാണമുള്ള സ്വഭാവമാണ്.enikku puthiya aalukalodu samsarikkan naanamulla swabhavamaanu.I am shy about talking to new people.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a new coworker.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഅവൾ പുതിയതായി വന്ന ആ പെൺകുട്ടിയാണോ?aval puthiyathayi vanna aa penkuttiyaano?Is she the new girl who joined?
- അർജുൻ Arjunഅതെ, അവൾ നല്ല നാണമുള്ള കുട്ടിയാണ്.athe, aval nalla naanamulla kuttiyaanu.Yes, she is a very shy girl.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഅവൾ അധികം സംസാരിക്കാറില്ലേ?aval adhikam samsarikkaaraillay?Does she not talk much?
- അർജുൻ Arjunഅതെ, അവൾ വളരെ ശാന്തയാണ്.athe, aval valare shanthayaanu.Yes, she is very calm.
