അടിവസ്ത്രം
aṭivastram
The Malayalam word for "underwear" is അടിവസ്ത്രം (aṭivastram).
അടിവസ്ത്രം is a noun used to refer to clothes worn next to the skin.
Meaning: clothes worn next to the skin (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of adi (bottom/under) and vastram (clothing/garment).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural form "undergarments", you add the suffix -ṅṅaḷ to the base word to create അടിവസ്ത്രങ്ങൾ.
How do you pronounce it?
aṭivastram
Did you know?
- Because talking about അടിവസ്ത്രം can be seen as overly blunt, many Malayalam speakers use euphemisms or general terms like 'clothes' when shopping for them.
- In traditional Kerala attire, the mundu is often worn without അടിവസ്ത്രം, but modern social norms now strongly favor wearing undergarments beneath it.
- The word വസ്ത്രം (vastram), used in the compound, is a Sanskrit-derived word that carries a much more formal and dignified weight than the colloquial word for 'cloth' or 'clothes' used in daily Malayalam.
Examples in context
- ഞാൻ പുതിയ അടിവസ്ത്രം വാങ്ങി.njaan puthiya adivastram vaangi.I bought new underwear.
Example conversation
Meera and Manoj are organizing their laundry at home.
- മീര Meeraമനോജ്, ഈ അടിവസ്ത്രം എവിടെ വെക്കണം?manoj, ee adivastram evide vekkanam?Manoj, where should I put this underwear?
- മനോജ് Manojഅത് ഡ്രോയറിൽ തന്നെ വെച്ചോളൂ.athu drawer-il thanne vecholoo.Just put it in the drawer.
- മീര Meeraശരി, ഞാൻ അത് ഇപ്പോൾ തന്നെ ചെയ്യാം.shari, njaan athu ippo thanne cheyyam.Okay, I will do it right now.
- മനോജ് Manojമീര, ബാക്കി വസ്ത്രങ്ങളും അടുക്കി വെക്കൂ.meera, baaki vastrangalum adukki vekkoo.Meera, please fold the rest of the clothes too.
