ഇതെന്താണ്?
ithenthaan?
To say "what is this?" in Malayalam, use ഇതെന്താണ്? (ithenthaan?)
This phrase is used to ask for the identity or the name of an object. It relies on the demonstrative pronoun ഇത്, which means "this" and refers to something close to the speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the demonstrative pronoun ഇത് to refer to an object near the speaker.
How do you pronounce it?
ithenthaan?
Did you know?
- While English uses 'what' to ask for identity, Malayalam speakers sometimes use the same phrase to express shock or disbelief at a situation, similar to saying 'What is this nonsense?'
- The phrase is used identically for both inanimate objects and animals, as Malayalam does not distinguish between 'it' and 'this' based on animacy in this context.
- In casual speech, ഇതെന്താണ്? is often shortened to ഇതെന്താ?, dropping the final nasal sound to make the question faster and more conversational.
Examples in context
- ഇത് എന്താണ്?What is this?
Example conversation
Arjun sees a strange fruit on Lakshmi's table.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഅർജുൻ, ഇത് നോക്കൂ.Arjun, ithu nŋkkŋ.Arjun, look at this.
- അർജുൻ Arjunഇതെന്താണ്?ithentīŋŋ?What is this?
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഇതൊരു പുതിയ പഴമാണ്.ithoru puthiya pŁŁamīŋ.This is a new fruit.
- അർജുൻ Arjunശരി, നന്ദി ലക്ഷ്മി.shari, nandi Lakshmi.Okay, thank you Lakshmi.
