Signification
Talking about something else.
Contexte culturel
Directly refusing to answer a question from an elder is seen as 'Ahankaaram' (arrogance). Skillfully changing the subject is the preferred way to maintain boundaries. News anchors often use 'Vishayam maattaam' to move between segments, but politicians use it to 'dodge' (vazhuvaan) difficult questions. These are hubs of political debate. If a debate gets too heated, a neutral party will 'change the subject' to local gossip to prevent a fight. Comedy sequences often rely on a character 'changing the subject' in an obvious and hilarious way when they are caught in a lie.
Be Subtle
In Kerala, don't just say 'Change the subject.' Instead, ask a question about something else immediately after saying it.
Don't Overuse
If you change the subject too much, people will think you are hiding something.
Signification
Talking about something else.
Be Subtle
In Kerala, don't just say 'Change the subject.' Instead, ask a question about something else immediately after saying it.
Don't Overuse
If you change the subject too much, people will think you are hiding something.
Use 'Namukku'
Always include 'Namukku' (Let us) to make the request sound like a joint decision rather than a command.
Smile
A smile while changing the subject removes any potential rudeness.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Maattuka'.
അവൻ പെട്ടെന്ന് വിഷയം ______. (He suddenly changed the subject.)
The sentence is in the past tense, so 'Maatti' is correct.
Which sentence is a polite suggestion?
How do you politely ask to change the subject?
'Namukku... maattaam' is the standard polite suggestion form.
Match the response to the situation.
Someone asks you a very personal question you don't want to answer.
Changing the subject is the most socially appropriate response.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ഈ ചർച്ച ബോറടിക്കുന്നു. B: ശരിയാണ്, നമുക്ക് ______.
In the context of a boring discussion, changing the subject is the logical next step.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs Informal
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesഅവൻ പെട്ടെന്ന് വിഷയം ______. (He suddenly changed the subject.)
The sentence is in the past tense, so 'Maatti' is correct.
How do you politely ask to change the subject?
'Namukku... maattaam' is the standard polite suggestion form.
Someone asks you a very personal question you don't want to answer.
Changing the subject is the most socially appropriate response.
A: ഈ ചർച്ച ബോറടിക്കുന്നു. B: ശരിയാണ്, നമുക്ക് ______.
In the context of a boring discussion, changing the subject is the logical next step.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt depends on the tone. If said with a smile and 'Namukku', it is polite. If said abruptly, it can be rude.
Yes, but use the formal version: 'നമുക്ക് അടുത്ത വിഷയത്തിലേക്ക് കടക്കാം' (Let's move to the next subject).
'Vishayam' is a general topic. 'Kaaryam' is a specific matter or task.
'വിഷയം മാറ്റല്ലേ' (Vishayam maattalle) or 'വിഷയം മാറ്റാതെ സംസാരിക്കൂ' (Talk without changing the subject).
Yes, 'Scene maattu' is common among youth.
Yes, but only if the current topic is finished or irrelevant to the meeting.
No, while 'Vishayam' can mean problem, in this collocation, it always means topic.
The past tense is 'Maatti'.
Constantly. It's a staple of Malayalam movie dialogues.
No, that would be 'ഒഴിവാക്കുക' (Ozhivakkuka). This is only for the topic of talk.
Expressions liées
സംസാരം നിർത്തുക
similarStop talking
മറുപടി ഒഴിവാക്കുക
similarAvoid the answer
അടുത്ത കാര്യം
builds onNext matter
വാക്ക് മാറ്റുക
contrastTo go back on one's word
