मतलब
Extremely high price for something
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Kerala, bargaining is a social skill. Using 'Theevettikkolla' is a common way to signal to a seller that you are not a 'pavam' (naive person) and that you know the real market value. The idiom is a staple in Malayalam satirical movies (like those of Sreenivasan or Sathyan Anthikad) to highlight the struggles of the middle class against rising costs. Meme culture in Kerala frequently uses this phrase to mock government taxes or corporate pricing strategies, often using images of famous actors looking shocked. The phrase reminds people of the 'Kayamkulam Kochunni' era, a famous Robin Hood-like figure, though he was a 'good' robber, the 'Theevettikkollakar' were the feared ones.
Use it for impact
If you just say 'expensive', people might not listen. If you say 'Theevettikkolla', people will pay attention to your complaint.
Don't use with elders
Using it to describe a price set by an elder relative might be seen as disrespectful. Keep it for commercial contexts.
मतलब
Extremely high price for something
Use it for impact
If you just say 'expensive', people might not listen. If you say 'Theevettikkolla', people will pay attention to your complaint.
Don't use with elders
Using it to describe a price set by an elder relative might be seen as disrespectful. Keep it for commercial contexts.
The 'Aanu' rule
Always end the phrase with 'aanu' (is) or 'aanallo' (is, isn't it) to sound natural.
Bargaining starter
Use this phrase as a humorous way to start bargaining at a local market; it often gets a smile and a discount.
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
വിമാനത്താവളത്തിലെ ചായയ്ക്ക് 100 രൂപയാണ്. ഇത് വെറും ______ ആണ്.
Since 100 rupees for tea is an unfair price, 'Theevettikkolla' is the appropriate idiom.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate form.
ഈ കടയിൽ സാധനങ്ങൾക്ക് ______ വിലയാണ് ഈടാക്കുന്നത്.
The compound noun 'Theevettikkolla' is used here to modify 'vila' (price).
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
A: ഈ പഴയ കാറിന് അവൻ 5 ലക്ഷം രൂപ ചോദിക്കുന്നു. B: ____________________!
5 lakhs for an old car is an exorbitant price, so B would naturally use the idiom.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Situation: A hospital charges 5000 rupees for a simple blood test.
The situation describes an unfair price, which matches the idiom.
Which of these is the literal meaning of 'Theevettikkolla'?
തീവെട്ടിക്കൊള്ള എന്ന വാക്കിന്റെ അർത്ഥം എന്താണ്?
The literal origin comes from historical highway robberies involving fire-torches.
🎉 स्कोर: /5
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Price Levels in Malayalam
अभ्यास बैंक
5 अभ्यासവിമാനത്താവളത്തിലെ ചായയ്ക്ക് 100 രൂപയാണ്. ഇത് വെറും ______ ആണ്.
Since 100 rupees for tea is an unfair price, 'Theevettikkolla' is the appropriate idiom.
ഈ കടയിൽ സാധനങ്ങൾക്ക് ______ വിലയാണ് ഈടാക്കുന്നത്.
The compound noun 'Theevettikkolla' is used here to modify 'vila' (price).
A: ഈ പഴയ കാറിന് അവൻ 5 ലക്ഷം രൂപ ചോദിക്കുന്നു. B: ____________________!
5 lakhs for an old car is an exorbitant price, so B would naturally use the idiom.
Situation: A hospital charges 5000 rupees for a simple blood test.
The situation describes an unfair price, which matches the idiom.
തീവെട്ടിക്കൊള്ള എന്ന വാക്കിന്റെ അർത്ഥം എന്താണ്?
The literal origin comes from historical highway robberies involving fire-torches.
🎉 स्कोर: /5
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालNo, it is not a swear word. It is a strong idiom used for complaining, but it is socially acceptable in most informal and semi-formal contexts.
No. It is only used for prices you PAY, not money you receive. For a high salary, you would use 'നല്ല ശമ്പളം' (good salary).
'Kollavila' specifically means 'robbery price' (noun), while 'Theevettikkolla' is the act of robbery itself. They are often interchangeable.
Tamil has 'Pagal Kollai' (daylight robbery), which is similar, but the 'Theevatti' (fire-torch) specific imagery is very Malayali.
Yes, it is very common to hear people call high taxes 'Sarkkarinte Theevettikkolla' (The government's fire-robbery).
You would say 'ഇത് തീവെട്ടിക്കൊള്ളയല്ല' (Ithu theevettikkollayalla).
It is used in newspaper editorials and opinion pieces, but not in formal government documents or legal contracts.
Usually, it is used in the singular to describe a situation. You can say 'Theevettikkollakal' (robberies), but it's rare.
Because historical robbers used torches to blind and terrify victims, making the robbery bold and obvious.
Only sarcastically. If something is very cheap, you wouldn't use this.
संबंधित मुहावरे
പകൽക്കൊള്ള
synonymDaylight robbery
കൊള്ളവില
similarRobbery price
ചൂഷണം
builds onExploitation
പിടിച്ചുപറി
similarSnatching/Mugging
അമിതലാഭം
specialized formExcessive profit
