Signification
Asking for identification of an object or situation.
Contexte culturel
Asking 'Athenthaanu?' about a neighbor's new possession is considered friendly interest, not prying. In local markets, this phrase is essential for identifying the vast array of tubers and spices. Sometimes people avoid asking 'Athenthaanu?' directly about a newborn baby to avoid 'Drishti' (evil eye), preferring indirect praise. Malayalis use this phrase rhetorically in political discussions to question the validity of a claim.
The Pointing Rule
Always use 'Athenthaanu' when your arm is extended to point at something.
Don't Objectify
Never use this for people; it's considered very rude.
Signification
Asking for identification of an object or situation.
The Pointing Rule
Always use 'Athenthaanu' when your arm is extended to point at something.
Don't Objectify
Never use this for people; it's considered very rude.
The 'Why' Trap
Be careful with the short form 'Athentha', as it usually means 'Why' in response to a statement.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to ask about a bird flying far away.
ആകാശത്ത് ഒരു പക്ഷി. ____?
Since the bird is far away (distal), 'Athenthaanu' is the correct choice.
Complete the sentence with the correct joined form of 'Atu + Entu + Aanu'.
അമ്മേ, ആ ശബ്ദം ________?
The joined form 'Athenthaanu' is the standard way to ask this.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You see a strange fruit in a shop across the street.
The fruit is across the street, so it is distal.
Complete the dialogue.
A: നോക്കൂ! അവിടെ ഒരു വെളിച്ചം. B: ________?
B is asking about the light (inanimate) mentioned by A.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesആകാശത്ത് ഒരു പക്ഷി. ____?
Since the bird is far away (distal), 'Athenthaanu' is the correct choice.
അമ്മേ, ആ ശബ്ദം ________?
The joined form 'Athenthaanu' is the standard way to ask this.
Situation: You see a strange fruit in a shop across the street.
The fruit is across the street, so it is distal.
A: നോക്കൂ! അവിടെ ഒരു വെളിച്ചം. B: ________?
B is asking about the light (inanimate) mentioned by A.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, for animals, 'Entu' (what) is acceptable, though 'Athaaranu' (who/which one) can be used for pets.
'Athenthaanu' is the full, neutral form. 'Athentha' is informal and often means 'Why?'.
Yes, it is a perfectly neutral and polite way to ask for information.
Use the past tense: 'Atu enthaayirunnu?' (അത് എന്തായിരുന്നു?).
Yes! 'അതെന്താണ് ആ മണം?' (What is that smell?) is very common.
Yes, for multiple things, use 'അവ എന്താണ്?' (Ava enthaanu?).
Because of Sandhi rules, the words merge phonetically to make speech faster and smoother.
Yes, but in formal writing, you might prefer 'അത് എന്താണെന്ന് വിശദീകരിക്കാമോ?' (Can you explain what that is?).
Usually, 'Athenthaanu' is safer until you are sure it's a person.
No, 'Atu' and 'Entu' are gender-neutral for all inanimate objects.
Expressions liées
ഇതെന്താണ്?
contrastWhat is this?
അതാരാണ്?
similarWho is that?
എന്താണ്?
builds onWhat is it?
അതെന്താ?
specialized formWhy? / What is that?
