Malayalam draws its words from three big cupboards. The first holds old everyday Malayalam words, like വെള്ളം (vellam) = water. The second holds formal words borrowed long ago from Sanskrit, India's classical language, like ജലം (jalam) = water, which you see on signs. In this episode: • The three cupboards side by side • Thanks • Sorry • Please • A register guide • An invented scene: dinner with the neighbours • Language bridge • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: സന്തോഷം (santhosham) = happiness, joy സഹായം (sahaayam) = help യാത്ര (yaathra) = journey വളരെ നന്ദി (valare nanni) = Thank you very much. താങ്ക്സ് (thanks) = thanks. Extremely common in shops, offices and among young people. താങ്ക് യൂ (thank you) = thank you, also everyday. ഉപകാരം (upakaaram) = a help, a kindness. സോറി (sorry) = sorry. The everyday word for small slips, from children to grandparents. സോറി, ഞാൻ ലേറ്റ് ആയി (sorry, njaan late aayi) = Sorry, I'm late. എന്റെ തെറ്റാണ് (ente thettaanu) = It's my fault. My mistake. അബദ്ധം പറ്റി (abaddham patti) = I made a blunder. Oops, my mistake. ഒന്ന് (onnu) = just, softening a request. തരാമോ? (tharaamo?) = Could you give it? തരണേ (tharane) = Please do give it. The ending ne adds a gentle plea. അമ്മേ, പ്ലീസ്! (amme, please!) = Mum, please! Learn Spoken Malayalam at Home: a complete course in everyday spoken Malayalam for English speakers. Native Malayalam pronunciation, every phrase in Malayalam script, Manglish and English, plus a language bridge comparing Malayalam with other world languages. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.