നിധി
nidhi
The English word treasure is നിധി (nidhi) in Malayalam.
നിധി refers to a collection of valuable things. This can be used in a literal sense, such as a hidden treasure or in a metaphorical sense, such as a treasure of knowledge.
Meaning: collection of valuable things (noun)
Which one should you use?
നിധി is the singular form for treasure, while നിധികൾ is the plural form used to mean treasures.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form of the word, use നിധികൾ.
How do you pronounce it?
nidhi
Did you know?
- In many Malayalam folk tales, a 'treasure' is often guarded by a 'yakshi', a female shape-shifting spirit, rather than a dragon or a monster.
- While നിധി means 'treasure', it is also used in a financial context to refer to a 'fund' or a shared pool of money, such as a community chest.
- The word നിധി is a direct loanword from Sanskrit, meaning it retains its ancient philosophical roots in South Indian languages.
Examples in context
- അത് അപാരമായ സമ്പത്ത്That is an immense treasure.
- ആ പഴയ കൊട്ടാരത്തിൽ ഒരു നിധി ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു.aa pazhaya koṭṭāṟattil oru nidhi uṇṭāyirunnu.There was a treasure in that old palace.
- കടലിൽ നിന്ന് വലിയൊരു നിധി ലഭിച്ചു.kaṭalil ninnu valiyoru nidhi labhicchu.A huge treasure was found from the sea.
- അവൻ തന്റെ നിധി ഒളിപ്പിച്ചു വെച്ചു.avan tanṟe nidhi oḷippicchu veccu.He hid his treasure away.
Example conversation
Sreedevi and Rahul are discussing an old legend.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviരാഹുൽ, ഈ കഥ കേട്ടിട്ടുണ്ടോ?Rahul, ee kathā kēṭṭiṭṭuṇṭō?Rahul, have you heard this story?
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഇല്ല, എന്താണ് വിശേഷം?illa, entāṇ vishēṣam?No, what is the matter?
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഈ കാട്ടിൽ ഒരു വലിയ നിധി ഉണ്ടെന്ന് അവർ പറയുന്നു.ee kāṭṭil oru valiya nidhi uṇṭennu avar parayunnu.They say there is a great treasure in this forest.
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅത് വിശ്വസിക്കാൻ പ്രയാസമാണ്.atu vishwasikkān prayāsamāṇ.That is hard to believe.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries നിധി, CC BY-SA 4.0.
