Signification
To look at something with envy or desire.
Contexte culturel
The 'Drishti Bomma' (Evil Eye Mask) is a common sight on construction sites to ward off envy from passersby. Babies are often given a 'Karimashi' (black kohl) mark on their cheek to make them look 'imperfect' and avoid the evil eye. The concept of 'Nazar' is very strong, and people often say 'Mashallah' to avoid 'placing an eye' when praising something beautiful. Malayali social media users often use the 🧿 emoji or mention 'Kaṇṇu vekkalle' in captions for travel or wedding photos.
Playful Usage
You can use this jokingly with friends when they admire your food or clothes to sound like a native.
Don't be too serious
While rooted in superstition, using it too seriously in a professional setting might make you seem outdated.
Signification
To look at something with envy or desire.
Playful Usage
You can use this jokingly with friends when they admire your food or clothes to sound like a native.
Don't be too serious
While rooted in superstition, using it too seriously in a professional setting might make you seem outdated.
The 'Mashallah' connection
In mixed communities, you might hear people say 'Mashallah' or 'Touchwood' to explicitly show they are NOT 'placing an eye'.
Grammar Hack
Always remember the '-il' suffix for the object. 'Car-il', 'Phone-il', 'Enn-il'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Kaṇṇu vekkuka'.
എന്റെ പുതിയ ഫോണിൽ ആരും ______.
The sentence means 'No one should place an eye on my new phone,' which requires the prohibitive form 'vekkaruthu'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Kaṇṇu vekkuka'?
Select the correct context:
The idiom specifically refers to envious or covetous looking.
Complete the dialogue.
A: നിനക്ക് നല്ല മാർക്ക് കിട്ടിയല്ലോ! B: അയ്യോ, അത് പറഞ്ഞ് ______.
B is afraid that A's praise might jinx the good marks.
Match the phrase to the meaning.
Match 'കണ്ണേറ് കിട്ടി' (Kanneṟu kitti) to its meaning:
'Kanneṟu kitti' is the passive result of someone 'placing an eye'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Kaṇṇu vekkuka'
Possessions
- • New Car
- • New Phone
- • House
Personal
- • Beauty
- • Health
- • Success
Food
- • Tasty meal
- • Snacks
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesഎന്റെ പുതിയ ഫോണിൽ ആരും ______.
The sentence means 'No one should place an eye on my new phone,' which requires the prohibitive form 'vekkaruthu'.
Select the correct context:
The idiom specifically refers to envious or covetous looking.
A: നിനക്ക് നല്ല മാർക്ക് കിട്ടിയല്ലോ! B: അയ്യോ, അത് പറഞ്ഞ് ______.
B is afraid that A's praise might jinx the good marks.
Match 'കണ്ണേറ് കിട്ടി' (Kanneṟu kitti) to its meaning:
'Kanneṟu kitti' is the passive result of someone 'placing an eye'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, it almost always implies envy or a desire that could lead to bad luck. It's never a purely positive compliment.
Yes, you can say someone 'placed an eye' on a person's beauty or health.
'Kaṇṇu vekkuka' is the verb (to place an eye), while 'Kanneṟu' is the noun (the evil eye/the act of throwing the eye).
Rarely. It's mostly for spoken Malayalam or informal stories.
Use 'Enikku kaṇṇu kitti' (I got the eye).
Absolutely! It's very common in slang and social media captions.
Culturally, people use rituals like 'Uzhinju maattal' (waving items to remove the eye).
Yes, historically it was very common to say someone 'placed an eye' on a healthy cow or pet.
No, staring is 'Thurichu nokkuka'. 'Kaṇṇu vekkuka' requires the intent of envy.
It refers to a person whose gaze is believed to be especially unlucky or envious.
No, you don't 'place an eye' on your own things, but you might fear others doing it.
Yes, many Malayalam movies use this to drive plots involving jealousy between neighbors or relatives.
No, it can be used in past, present, or future.
Yes, but with an added layer of 'bringing bad luck' which the English 'eyeing' lacks.
Expressions liées
കണ്ണ് കിട്ടുക
similarTo be affected by the evil eye.
കണ്ണേറ്
specialized formThe evil eye (noun).
കൊതി വെക്കുക
similarTo look at food with greed.
കണ്ണ് മഞ്ഞളിക്കുക
contrastTo be dazzled/blinded by wealth.
നോട്ടം ഇടുക
similarTo set one's sights on something.
