പറയുക
paṟayuka/pɐrɐjuɡɐ/
To tell in Malayalam is പറയുക (paṟayuka).
പറയുക is used to pass information. In Malayalam, this single verb covers both the English concepts of 'to say' and 'to tell'.
Meaning: to pass information (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes depending on the tense and mood: the past tense is പറഞ്ഞു, the continuous or present tense is പറയുന്നു and to emphasize that the action of telling is currently in progress, use പറയുന്നുണ്ട്. For commands, the negative imperative 'don't tell' is പറയല്ലേ, while the polite imperative 'please tell' is പറയൂ.
How do you pronounce it?
paṟayuka (/pɐrɐjuɡɐ/)
Did you know?
- The word പറയുക shares a common ancestor with the Tamil word பறை, which historically refers to a drum used for making announcements.
- While പറയുക means 'to tell', if you add a specific suffix, it can be used to describe the act of 'agreeing' or 'saying yes' to a proposal.
- In traditional Kerala storytelling, the narrator does not just 'tell' a story but 'recites' it using a rhythmic style that blends പറയുക with musical elements.
Examples in context
- അവനോട് ഇത് പറയുക.avanodu ithu parayuka.Tell him this.
Example conversation
Vishnu and Meera are discussing a meeting time.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuമീര, സമയം പറയുക.Meera, samayam parayuka.Meera, tell me the time.
- മീര Meeraഇപ്പോൾ നാല് മണി ആയി.Ippol naalu mani aayi.It is four o'clock now.
- വിഷ്ണു Vishnuശരി, ഞാൻ വിഷ്ണുവിനോട് പറയുക.Sheri, njan Vishnuvinodu parayuka.Okay, I will tell Vishnu.
- മീര Meeraഅത് നല്ല കാര്യമാണ്.Athu nalla kaaryamanu.That is a good thing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry പറയുക, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries പറയുക, CC BY-SA 4.0.
