Bedeutung
Expressing dislike
Kultureller Hintergrund
In traditional Kerala households, saying 'I don't like' to food served by an elder can be seen as slightly disrespectful. It's better to say 'I'm full'. Malayalis are very passionate about movies. Saying 'Enikku aa cinema ishtamalla' about a superstar's movie can start a long, friendly debate. In urban areas like Kochi, being direct about likes and dislikes is common and seen as a sign of modern personality. On platforms like Instagram, 'Ishtam' and 'Ishtamalla' are used as binary reactions to trends, similar to 'Like' and 'Dislike'.
The 'To Me' Rule
Always remember that emotions in Malayalam usually take the 'Enikku' (to me) form. This applies to 'wish', 'fear', and 'thirst' too!
Don't be too blunt
If a host offers you food, adding a reason after 'Enikku ishtamalla' makes it much more polite.
Bedeutung
Expressing dislike
The 'To Me' Rule
Always remember that emotions in Malayalam usually take the 'Enikku' (to me) form. This applies to 'wish', 'fear', and 'thirst' too!
Don't be too blunt
If a host offers you food, adding a reason after 'Enikku ishtamalla' makes it much more polite.
Verb + -an
To say you don't like an action, just take the verb (like 'kazhikku' - eat) and add '-an' ('kazhikkan'). It works every time!
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct way to say 'I don't like tea'.
___ ചായ ഇഷ്ടമല്ല.
You must use the dative case 'Enikku' (To me) for preferences.
Fill in the blank to say 'I don't like to run'.
എനിക്ക് ഓട___ ഇഷ്ടമല്ല.
The infinitive suffix '-an' is added to the verb root 'odu' (run) to mean 'to run'.
Complete the dialogue.
Friend: നമുക്ക് ബിരിയാണി കഴിച്ചാലോ? (Shall we eat Biryani?) You: വേണ്ട, എനിക്ക് ബിരിയാണി ___.
The context 'Venda' (No/Don't want) implies a negative preference.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a movie and you find it boring.
This is the standard way to express you don't like the movie you are watching.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Ishtamalla vs Venda
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgaben___ ചായ ഇഷ്ടമല്ല.
You must use the dative case 'Enikku' (To me) for preferences.
എനിക്ക് ഓട___ ഇഷ്ടമല്ല.
The infinitive suffix '-an' is added to the verb root 'odu' (run) to mean 'to run'.
Friend: നമുക്ക് ബിരിയാണി കഴിച്ചാലോ? (Shall we eat Biryani?) You: വേണ്ട, എനിക്ക് ബിരിയാണി ___.
The context 'Venda' (No/Don't want) implies a negative preference.
You are at a movie and you find it boring.
This is the standard way to express you don't like the movie you are watching.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, in casual conversation, you can drop 'Enikku' if it's clear you are talking about yourself.
Technically, 'alla' negates the noun and 'illa' negates existence. In practice, they are used interchangeably for 'I don't like'.
You say 'എനിക്ക് നിന്നെ ഇഷ്ടമല്ല' (Enikku ninne ishtamalla). Use with caution!
It can be. Using 'Thalparyamilla' or giving a polite excuse is often preferred with elders.
Add 'ഒട്ടും' (ottum) before 'ishtamalla'. 'Enikku ithu ottum ishtamalla'.
Yes, 'Enikku avane ishtamalla' means 'I don't like him'.
Use 'ishtam-ayirunnilla'.
Yes, it comes from the Sanskrit root 'Ish'.
No, it literally means 'To me'. 'Njan' is the word for 'I'.
എനിക്ക് ഒന്നും ഇഷ്ടമല്ല (Enikku onnum ishtamalla).
Verwandte Redewendungen
എനിക്ക് ഇഷ്ടമാണ്
contrastI like it
എനിക്ക് താല്പര്യമില്ല
similarI am not interested
എനിക്ക് വെറുപ്പാണ്
specialized formI hate it
എനിക്ക് വേണ്ട
similarI don't want it
എനിക്ക് മടുത്തു
builds onI am fed up
