Signification
Indicating the left direction.
Contexte culturel
In Kerala, the left hand is traditionally not used for eating or passing objects to others. However, 'Keep Left' is the rule for driving and walking on busy streets. The term 'Idathu' is synonymous with the Communist and Socialist parties that have a strong presence in Kerala. You will see 'Idathu Munnani' (Left Front) on many political banners. When entering a traditional Kerala house, the 'Idathu vasham' might be designated for specific rooms like the storage area, depending on the house's facing direction. In many temples, the 'Pradakshinam' (circumambulation) is done in a clockwise direction, meaning the deity is always on your right side, and the 'Idathu vasham' faces the outer walls.
The 'L' Rule
Remember that 'Idathu' starts with an 'I' sound, and 'Left' is the direction. In your mind, link 'I' to the left side of your body where your heart is.
Hand Etiquette
While 'Idathu vasham' is a fine direction, never use your 'Idathu kai' (left hand) to offer food or money in Kerala; it is culturally frowned upon.
Signification
Indicating the left direction.
The 'L' Rule
Remember that 'Idathu' starts with an 'I' sound, and 'Left' is the direction. In your mind, link 'I' to the left side of your body where your heart is.
Hand Etiquette
While 'Idathu vasham' is a fine direction, never use your 'Idathu kai' (left hand) to offer food or money in Kerala; it is culturally frowned upon.
GPS Voice
Set your Google Maps to Malayalam. You will hear 'ഇടത് വശത്തേക്ക് തിരിയുക' constantly, which is the best way to internalize the phrase.
Political Signs
Look for red flags in Kerala; they often represent the 'Idathu' (Left) parties. It's a great real-world reading practice.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'left side'.
ആശുപത്രി റോഡിന്റെ _______ ആണ്. (The hospital is on the left side of the road.)
We use the locative '-ath' (on/at) to describe the location of the hospital.
Which phrase means 'Turn to the left side'?
Choose the correct translation:
'Thiriyuka' means turn, and '-ekku' means towards.
Match the Malayalam phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Basic directional vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ഹോട്ടൽ എവിടെയാണ്? B: നേരെ പോയി ആദ്യത്തെ _______ തിരിയുക.
When giving directions to turn, 'towards the left side' is the correct grammatical form.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Idathu vs Valathu
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesആശുപത്രി റോഡിന്റെ _______ ആണ്. (The hospital is on the left side of the road.)
We use the locative '-ath' (on/at) to describe the location of the hospital.
Choose the correct translation:
'Thiriyuka' means turn, and '-ekku' means towards.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Basic directional vocabulary matching.
A: ഹോട്ടൽ എവിടെയാണ്? B: നേരെ പോയി ആദ്യത്തെ _______ തിരിയുക.
When giving directions to turn, 'towards the left side' is the correct grammatical form.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is the standard way to say 'left side'.
Yes, in casual speech, you can say 'Idathu' to mean 'on the left', but 'Idathu vasham' is clearer.
They are mostly interchangeable. 'Vasham' is more common for physical sides, while 'Bhagam' can also mean 'part' or 'region'.
You say 'ഇടത്തോട്ട് തിരിയുക' (Idathottu thiriyuka) or 'ഇടത് വശത്തേക്ക് തിരിയുക' (Idathu vashathekku thiriyuka).
This literally means 'left-hand side'. It's just a more descriptive way of saying 'left side'.
Yes, 'Idathu' refers to the Left-wing political parties in Kerala, though 'Idathupaksham' is the formal term.
No, unlike some languages where 'left' implies 'wrong' or 'sinister', in Malayalam, it is purely directional.
It is written as ഇടത് വശം.
The opposite is 'Valathu vasham' (വലത് വശം), meaning 'right side'.
You would usually say 'ഇടത് കണ്ണ്' (Idathu kannu), but 'ഇടത് വശത്തെ കണ്ണ്' is also correct.
In written Malayalam, it's 'Idathu', but in spoken form, it often sounds like 'Idath-vasham'.
You say 'റോഡിന്റെ ഇടത് വശത്ത്' (Road-inte idathu vashath).
Expressions liées
വലത് വശം
contrastRight side
ഇടതുഭാഗം
synonymLeft part/side
ഇടത്തോട്ട്
similarTo the left
ഇടതുപക്ഷം
specialized formLeft wing (politics)
ഇടത് കൈ
builds onLeft hand
