Adjectives

1. വലിയ

   valiya

   Big

   Usage

   For stating a size — clothes or rooms

2. ചെറിയ

   cheriya

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big — for asking for a smaller size

3. ഭാരമുള്ള

   bhaaramulla

   Heavy

   Usage

   For the weight of luggage, and as a lead-in to asking for help

4. ഭാരം കുറഞ്ഞ

   bhaaram kuranja

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from light meaning bright

5. വില കൂടിയ

   vila koodiya

   Expensive

   Usage

   High in price — the opening move when haggling

6. വില കുറഞ്ഞ

   vila kuranja

   Cheap

   Usage

   The opposite of expensive — for asking for something cheaper

7. ചൂടുള്ള

   chootulla

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — kept separate from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   ചൂടുള്ള (chootulla) is hot to the touch; hot weather uses the noun ചൂട്: ചൂടാണ് ("it is hot").

8. തണുത്ത

   thanutha

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — kept separate from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   തണുത്ത (thanutha) is cold to the touch; cold weather uses the noun തണുപ്പ് (thanuppu).

9. പുതിയ

   puthiya

   New

   Usage

   Brand new — also used when asking for a replacement

10. പഴയ

    pazhaya

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in worn — never the word to use about a person

    Grammar Note

    പഴയ (pazhaya) is for objects; for people use പ്രായമുള്ള (praayamulla).

11. ചെറുപ്പമായ

    cheruppamaaya

    Young

    Usage

    About a person's age — a small-talk staple

12. പ്രായമുള്ള

    praayamulla

    Old (person)

    Usage

    Elderly, about people — a different word from old things

13. വൃത്തിയുള്ള

    vruththiyulla

    Clean

    Usage

    For praising cleanliness, and for praising a view

14. വൃത്തികെട്ട

    vruththiketta

    Dirty

    Usage

    Unclean — the reason you give when asking for a change of room or dishes

15. നല്ല

    nalla

    Good

    Usage

    A positive verdict, also usable to signal agreement

16. മോശം

    mosham

    Bad

    Usage

    A negative verdict — also used of health and weather

17. അടുത്ത്

    aduthu

    Near

    Usage

    Close by — for checking whether you can walk

18. ദൂരെ

    doore

    Far

    Usage

    Far away — your cue to look for transport

19. നേരത്തെ

    nerathe

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — for first departures and opening hours

    Grammar Note

    നേരത്തെ (nerathe) is early in time; fast in speed is വേഗം (vegam).

20. വൈകി

    vaiki

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time — for last departures and closing hours

    Grammar Note

    വൈകി (vaiki) is late in time; slow in speed is പതുക്കെ (pathukke).

21. കൂടുതൽ

    kooduthal

    Many

    Usage

    A large amount or number — also used to describe crowds

22. കുറവ്

    kuravu

    Few

    Usage

    A small amount or number — for asking for less of something

23. ചൂട്

    choodu

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather — learn it separately from hot objects

    Grammar Note

    A noun for heat, used as ചൂടാണ് ("it is hot").

24. തണുപ്പ്

    thanuppu

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather — learn it separately from cold objects

    Grammar Note

    A noun for cold weather, used as തണുപ്പാണ് ("it is cold").

25. ഭംഗിയുള്ള

    bhangiyulla

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, animals, or things

26. ആകർഷകമായ

    aakarshakamaaya

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly used to compliment someone's or something's appearance

27. രുചിയുള്ള

    ruchiyulla

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give during a meal

28. അതിശയകരമായ

    athishayakaramaaya

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

29. രസകരമായ

    rasakaramaaya

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to share how enjoyable an experience was

30. കുറച്ച് മാത്രം

    kurachu maathram

    Just a little

    Usage

    Asks for a small amount — for portion size or how much chilli goes in

31. പകുതി

    pakuthi

    Half

    Usage

    For halving a portion or splitting a bill

32. എല്ലാം

    ellaam

    All / everything

    Usage

    Marks the whole lot — "all of it" or "how much for everything"

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