കപ്പ
kappa/kɐppɐ/
The English phrase 'tapioca' is translated into Malayalam as കപ്പ (kappa).
In Malayalam, കപ്പ refers specifically to the boiled or cooked cassava root used as a staple food.
Meaning: starchy food from cassava (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some northern parts of Kerala, tapioca is referred to as koorka.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /kɐppɐ/. It is pronounced with two syllables: kap-pa.
Did you know?
- The word കപ്പ is a shortened form of കപ്പൽക്കിഴങ്ങ്, which literally translates to 'ship tuber'.
- During the 19th century, കപ്പ became a symbol of survival and resistance against famine in Kerala because it grows quickly in poor soil.
- Eating raw കപ്പ can be dangerous because it contains cyanogenic glucosides, which is why the process of boiling it is culturally emphasized.
Examples in context
- കപ്പ പുഴുങ്ങിയത് നല്ലതാണ്.kappa puzhungiyathu nallathaanu.Boiled tapioca is good.
- എനിക്ക് കപ്പയും മീൻ കറിയും ഇഷ്ടമാണ്.enikku kappayum meen kariyum ishtamanu.I like tapioca and fish curry.
- കടയിൽ കപ്പ ഉണ്ടോ?kadayil kappa undo?Is there tapioca at the shop?
Example conversation
Lakshmi and Vishnu are discussing what to cook for lunch.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiവിഷ്ണു, നമുക്ക് ഇന്ന് കപ്പ ഉണ്ടാക്കിയാലോ?vishnu, namukku innu kappa undakkiyaalo?Vishnu, shall we make tapioca today?
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഅതൊരു നല്ല ആശയമാണ്, ലക്ഷ്മി.athoru nalla aashayamannu, lakshmi.That is a good idea, Lakshmi.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiകപ്പയുടെ കൂടെ മീൻ കറിയും വേണോ?kappayude koode meen kariyum veno?Do you want fish curry with the tapioca?
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuഅതെ, അത് വളരെ രുചികരമായിരിക്കും.athe, athu valare ruchikaramaayirikkum.Yes, that will be very delicious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry കപ്പ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries കപ്പ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
