Money & Exchange

1. ഇവിടെ ATM ഉണ്ടോ?

   Ivide ATM uṇṭō?

   Is there an ATM here?

   Usage

   Ask for an ATM nearby

   Grammar Note

   "Uṇṭō" is the question form of "uṇṭ" (there is). ATMs from SBI, HDFC, ICICI are common across Kerala, most accept Visa/Mastercard.

2. ഇതിന്റെ വില എത്ര?

   Ithinte vila ethra?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   Basic phrase for asking the price of an item

   Grammar Note

   "Ithinte" is the genitive of "ith" (this). The suffix "-nte" marks genitive possession — typical Dravidian case inflection.

3. കുറച്ച് കുറക്കാൻ പറ്റുമോ?

   Kurach kurakkān paṭṭumō?

   Can you lower the price a bit?

   Usage

   Negotiate a discount at a market or street stall

   Grammar Note

   "Paṭṭumō" asks "is it possible/can you". Bargaining is common in Kerala markets and souvenir shops — less so in fixed-price stores.

4. UPI/PhonePe സ്വീകരിക്കുമോ?

   UPI/PhonePe svīkarikkumō?

   Do you accept UPI / PhonePe payment?

   Usage

   Check if the vendor accepts UPI or PhonePe digital payment

   Grammar Note

   UPI payments (PhonePe, GPay, Paytm) are widely accepted in Kerala. Foreigners may need an Indian bank account — carry cash as backup.

5. വിദേശ കറൻസി മാറ്റാൻ ഇവിടെ കഴിയുമോ?

   Videsha kaṟansi māṭṭān ivide kazhiyumō?

   Can I exchange foreign currency here?

   Usage

   Ask about currency exchange at a bank or money changer

   Grammar Note

   Currency exchange is available at authorized dealers and banks in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Airport rates are usually unfavorable — use city dealers.

6. ബിൽ ഇവിടെ ഒന്ന് തരൂ

   Bill ivide onnu tarū

   Please bring the bill here

   Usage

   Ask for the check at a restaurant or shop

   Grammar Note

   Adding "onnu" softens a request. In Kerala restaurants, raise your hand or say this phrase to call the waiter for the bill.

7. ബിൽ പകുതി ആക്കാം

   Bill pakuthi ākkām

   Let's split the bill

   Usage

   Suggest splitting the bill after a group meal

   Grammar Note

   "Ākkām" is the intentive/potential of "ākkuka" (to make/do). It functions as both "let's" and "we can" — a characteristic Malayalam ambiguity.

8. ഇതിന് GST ഉൾപ്പെടുത്തിയിട്ടുണ്ടോ?

   Ithinu GST uḷppeṭutthiyiṭṭuṇṭō?

   Does this include GST?

   Usage

   Verify if India's Goods and Services Tax is included in the price

   Grammar Note

   India's GST ranges from 5–28% depending on the item. Restaurants typically charge 12% GST on food. Upscale hotels may also add a service charge.

9. ചില്ലറ ഇല്ല, കുഴപ്പമുണ്ടോ?

   Chillara illa, kuḻappamuṇṭō?

   I don't have change — is that okay?

   Usage

   Check with a vendor if not having exact change is fine

   Grammar Note

   "Kuḻappamuṇṭō" literally asks "is there a problem?", i.e. "is that okay?". Running out of small change is common in India. Many shops refuse large denomination notes like ₹2000.

10. കാർഡ് എടുക്കുന്നുണ്ടോ?

    Kārḍu eṭukkunnuṇṭō?

    Do you accept cards?

    Usage

    Check if credit or debit card payment is accepted

    Grammar Note

    "Eṭukkuka" means "to take/receive". In payment context it means "accept". Large shops and hotels in Kerala usually accept cards; small shops often cash only.

11. ജാമ്യത്തുക

    Jaamyathuka

    Deposit

    Usage

    A deposit held by a hotel or rental, returned at checkout

12. പണം തിരികെ

    Panam thirike

    Refund

    Usage

    Word for getting money returned

13. മുൻകൂർ പണം

    Munkūr panam

    Prepayment

    Usage

    Word for money paid in advance

14. അധിക നിരക്ക്

    Adhika nirakku

    Extra charge

    Usage

    Word for a charge added on afterward

15. സേവന നിരക്ക്

    Sevana nirakku

    Service fee

    Usage

    Word for a fee charged for a procedure or service

16. ക്യാഷ്

    kyaash

    Cash

    Usage

    Cash as a payment method; പണം (panam) means money in general, so this is the word for specifying how you pay

17. കാർഡ്

    kaard

    Card

    Usage

    Signals card payment; small shops often take UPI (GPay, PhonePe) but have no card terminal

18. വെവ്വേറെ ബിൽ

    vevvere bill

    Separate bills

    Usage

    Asks for one bill per person — easier if you say it before ordering

19. എല്ലാം ഒരുമിച്ച്

    ellaam orumichu

    All together

    Usage

    Says you will pay for everyone on one bill

20. ബാക്കി

    baakki

    Change (money back)

    Usage

    The money owed back to you; ചില്ലറ (chillara) is a different word meaning small change or coins

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