എനിക്ക് തലവേദനയുണ്ട്
Enikku thalavedanayund
I have a headache
Usage
Basic phrase to describe a headache to a doctor or pharmacist
Grammar Note
Malayalam uses dative "enikku und" (to me there is) construction for physical symptoms — typical Dravidian structure.
ഡോക്ടറെ കാണണം
Ḍōkṭare kāṇaṇam
I need to see a doctor
Usage
Express the need to see a doctor to hotel staff or a companion
Grammar Note
"Kaaṇaṇam" is the obligative form of "to see/meet". The suffix "-ṇam" expresses necessity/obligation in Malayalam.
എനിക്ക് പനിയുണ്ട്
Enikku paniyund
I have a fever
Usage
Inform a doctor or pharmacist about a fever
Grammar Note
"pani" (fever) + "uṇṭŭ" means "I have a fever". It is a dative-subject existential construction: "enikku" (to me) + "there is".
എനിക്ക് ഈ മരുന്നിനോട് അലർജിയുണ്ട്
Enikku ee marunninōṭ alargiyund
I am allergic to this medicine
Usage
Critical phrase to tell a doctor about a medicine allergy
Grammar Note
"-nōṭ" is a case suffix meaning "towards/to"; "marunninōṭ alargi" is "allergy to the medicine" (a locative "-il" would mean "in the medicine"). It attaches directly to the noun, as in agglutinative Dravidian morphology.
ഇവിടെ ഏറ്റവും അടുത്ത ആശുപത്രി എവിടെ?
Ivide ēṟṟavum aṭutta āśupatri eviṭe?
Where is the nearest hospital from here?
Usage
Ask for the nearest hospital in an emergency
Grammar Note
"Ettavum" functions like "most" to form superlatives. "Ettavum adutha" = most near = nearest.
ആയുർവേദ ചികിത്സ ലഭ്യമാണോ?
Āyurveda chikitsa labhyamāṇō?
Is Ayurveda treatment available?
Usage
Ask about Ayurveda treatments at a Kerala clinic or wellness center
Grammar Note
Kerala is the heartland of Ayurveda. Extended "Panchakarma" purification therapies are widely available.
ഒരു ഡോക്ടർ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് സംസാരിക്കുന്നുണ്ടോ?
Oru doktor ingliish samsaarikkunnundō?
Is there a doctor who speaks English?
Usage
Find an English-speaking doctor at a hospital
Grammar Note
Kerala has India's highest literacy rate and relatively good English proficiency. Urban hospitals usually have English-speaking staff.
ഛർദ്ദിൽ വരുന്നു
Chardil varunnu
I feel like vomiting / nauseous
Usage
Describe nausea or vomiting to a doctor
Grammar Note
Malayalam uses "nausea is coming" structure — common in South Asian languages for expressing physical sensations.
ഒരു ഡോക്ടറുടെ കുറിപ്പടി വേണം
Oru doktarude kurippadi veṇam
I need a doctor's prescription
Usage
Request a prescription after a medical consultation
Grammar Note
"Veṇam" expresses need or want. "Oru ___ veṇam" (I need a ___) is a versatile pattern for various situations.
യാത്രാ ഇൻഷുറൻസ് ഉണ്ട്
Yaathraa insurance uṇṭŭ
I have travel insurance
Usage
Inform a hospital or clinic that you have travel insurance
Grammar Note
"___ und" (there is/I have ___) is a simple possession structure. Show your insurance card for smoother processing.
ഗർഭിണി
garbhini
Pregnant
Usage
Show before any exam or medicine — it changes what drugs, X-rays, and anaesthetics are safe
ആസ്ത്മ
aasthma
Asthma
Usage
Show to a doctor or pharmacist as an existing condition; an inhaler is called ഇൻഹേലർ (inhelar)
പ്രമേഹം
prameham
Diabetes
Usage
The medical word; in everyday Kerala speech people also say ഷുഗർ (shugar, "sugar")
ഉയർന്ന രക്തസമ്മർദ്ദം
uyarnna rakthasammarddam
High blood pressure
Usage
Show as an existing condition; colloquially Malayalis say ബി.പി. ഉണ്ട് ("I have BP")
ഹൃദ്രോഗം
hridrogam
Heart disease
Usage
Tells a doctor you have a heart condition — one of the first things to show in an emergency room
അപസ്മാരം
apasmaaram
Epilepsy
Usage
The medical word for a seizure disorder; colloquially people say ഫിറ്റ്സ് (fits)
ഇൻഷുറൻസ്
inshuransu
Insurance
Usage
Point at this with your card at reception; Kerala private hospitals usually take cash up front and settle with the insurer later
ഒടിവ്
odivu
Fracture (broken bone)
Usage
Says you may have a broken bone; combine with എല്ല് (ellu, bone) while pointing at the spot
ശ്വാസംമുട്ടൽ
shvaasammuttal
Shortness of breath
Usage
Point at this when you are too breathless to talk; also used for asthma and allergic reactions
തലകറക്കം
thalakarakkam
Dizziness
Usage
Covers light-headedness and vertigo; also what you show for heat exhaustion or dehydration
രക്തസ്രാവം
rakthasraavam
Bleeding
Usage
For bleeding from an injury — point at the site as you show it; colloquially ചോര പോകുന്നു (chora pokunnu)
പൊള്ളൽ
pollal
Burn
Usage
For burns from hot water, oil, or sun; also usable at a pharmacy when asking for burn ointment
മുറിവ്
murivu
Wound / cut
Usage
For a cut or graze — show the wound while pointing at this card
ചെവി
chevi
Ear
Usage
Body-part word for showing where it hurts; ചെവിവേദന (cheviv edana) is earache
കഴുത്ത്
kazhuthu
Neck
Usage
The outside of the neck; for a sore throat use തൊണ്ട (thonda) instead
തോൾ
thol
Shoulder
Usage
Body-part word for shoulder pain or stiffness
കാൽമുട്ട്
kaalmuttu
Knee
Usage
Literally "leg-knee"; the bare word മുട്ട് can also mean a joint or a blockage, so this compound is the safe one to point at
വിരൽ
viral
Finger
Usage
Finger; a toe is കാൽവിരൽ (kaalviral) — point at the actual digit to remove any doubt
ത്വക്ക്
thvakku
Skin
Usage
The word used by doctors and on dermatology boards (ത്വക്ക് രോഗം = skin disease); the colloquial തൊലി also means peel or rind
മൂക്ക്
mookku
Nose
Usage
Body-part word for a blocked nose, nosebleed, or similar
ചുമ
chuma
Cough
Usage
Names the symptom; also works at a pharmacy when asking for cough medicine
ചൊറിച്ചിൽ
chorichil
Itching
Usage
For itching from bites or an allergy — point at the itchy area as you show it
തിണർപ്പ്
thinarppu
Rash
Usage
For raised red patches or hives; also used when reporting an allergic reaction
മലബന്ധം
malabandham
Constipation
Usage
Understood by doctors and pharmacists alike — an awkward symptom that is easier to point at than to say
ആർത്തവം
aarthavam
Menstruation / period
Usage
The standard word used in Kerala clinics and public life; the everyday euphemism is മാസമുറ (maasamura, "monthly")
രക്തഗ്രൂപ്പ്
rakthagrooppu
Blood type
Usage
രക്തം (blood) plus ഗ്രൂപ്പ് (from English "group"); asked before a transfusion or surgery. Write your own type in Latin letters (A, B, O, AB) to be safe
മെഡിക്കൽ സർട്ടിഫിക്കറ്റ്
medikkal sarttiphikkattu
Medical certificate
Usage
The certificate a doctor issues, needed for insurance claims or to justify a change of plans; a direct transliteration of English "medical certificate"
ആശുപത്രിവാസം
aashupathrivaasam
Hospital stay
Usage
ആശുപത്രി (hospital) plus വാസം (stay); "to admit to hospital" is ആശുപത്രിയിൽ പ്രവേശിപ്പിക്കുക
കുളിര്
kuliru
Chills
Usage
The symptom of feeling cold with a high fever.
ജലദോഷം
jaladosham
Common cold
Usage
The head cold with a runny nose and sneezing, formed from ജലം (water) plus ദോഷം (fault); distinct from പനി (fever)
എനിക്ക് ക്ഷീണം തോന്നുന്നു
enikku ksheenam thonnunnu
My body feels sluggish
Usage
Reports bodily weakness from fever or exhaustion, distinct from pain.
Grammar Note
enikku / എനിക്ക് = to me (dative). ksheenam / ക്ഷീണം = tiredness (noun). -unnu / -ുന്നു = present ending; compare varunnu / വരുന്നു. enikku sukhamilla / എനിക്ക് സുഖമില്ല
ഞാൻ കുറച്ച് തവണ ഛർദ്ദിച്ചു
njaan kurachu thavana chardichu
I have vomited several times
Usage
Use at a consultation to say it happened more than once; distinguish it from reporting nausea alone.
Grammar Note
chardi / ഛർദ്ദി = the word in chardil varunnu / ഛർദ്ദിൽ വരുന്നു (I feel nauseous). thavana / തവണ = occurrence; compare adutta thavana / അടുത്ത തവണ (next time).
എനിക്ക് വിശ്രമം വേണോ?
enikku vishramam veno?
Do I need to rest?
Usage
Shown after an examination to ask the doctor whether you should stay still
Grammar Note
enikku / എനിക്ക് = to me (dative). venam / വേണം + -o / -ോ = need + interrogative ending; compare oru haircut venam / ഒരു ഹെയർകട്ട് വേണം.
വയറിളക്കം
vayarilakkam
Diarrhea
Usage
The standard word, understood by doctors and pharmacists alike; you can simply point at it to name the symptom
Grammar Note
vayarilakkam / വയറിളക്കം = compound of vayar (belly) + ilakkam (loosening). A medical synonym is atisaaram / അതിസാരം.
മലം
malam
Stool
Usage
The neutral standard word for stool, usable at the doctor's when describing it.
Grammar Note
malam / മലം = stool, chiefly medical; the first part of malabandham / മലബന്ധം (constipation). Malabandham = malam + bandham (blockage).
മൂത്രം
moothram
Urine
Usage
The standard word for urine, fine both in daily life and at the doctor's.
Grammar Note
From Sanskrit mutra. "To pee" is said moothram ozhikkuka (literally "pour urine").
എനിക്ക് വയറിളക്കമുണ്ട്
Enikku vayarilakkamund
I have diarrhea
Usage
Used to tell a doctor or pharmacist that you have diarrhea
Grammar Note
enikku + noun + und = dative + noun + is, used to state a symptom. vayarilakkam + und = joins into vayarilakkamund / വയറിളക്കമുണ്ട്. enikku thalavedanayund / എനിക്ക് തലവേദനയുണ്ട്
എനിക്ക് മലബന്ധമുണ്ട്
Enikku malabandhamund
I'm constipated
Usage
Used to tell a doctor or pharmacist that you are constipated
Grammar Note
enikku + noun + und = dative + noun + is, used to state a symptom. malabandham + und = joins into malabandhamund / മലബന്ധമുണ്ട്; the same construction as for diarrhea.
എനിക്ക് മൂത്രമൊഴിക്കണം
Enikku moothramozhikkanam
I need to pee
Usage
Tells a companion that you or a child need to pee; an ordinary phrasing, neither stiff nor crude
Grammar Note
Like venam it uses the dative enikku, but the verb takes stem + -anam (ozhikkuka -> ozhikkanam "must"). moothram ozhikkuka joins into moothramozhikkuka. For a child, replace enikku with avan/avalkku (to him/her).
എനിക്ക് മലവിസർജ്ജനം ചെയ്യണം
Enikku malavisarjjanam cheyyanam
I need to poop
Usage
Tell a companion that you or a child need to poop, using neutral, slightly medical wording.
Grammar Note
enikku / എനിക്ക് = to me (dative). malavisarjjanam / മലവിസർജ്ജനം = malam (stool) + visarjjanam (discharge). cheyyanam / ചെയ്യണം = cheyyuka (do) + -anam (must).
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