English has one all-purpose "don't": don't touch, don't worry, don't lie, don't park here. Learners look for one Malayalam word to match and usually grab the strongest one, -aruthu, and say തൊടരുത് (thodaruthu) = you must not touch to a toddler or a guest, which sounds like a printed warning sign. Malayalam has five ways to say "don't", from a gentle "please don't" to a firm rule. In this episode: • -anda: no need, don't bother (casual and kind) • -alle: please don't (gentle warning) • -aruthu: must not (firm rule or advice) • Paadilla: not allowed • -aathe: without, the polite way • Who uses which with whom • Language bridge • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: കരയണ്ട (karayanda) = Don't cry പേടിക്കണ്ട (pedikkanda) = Don't be afraid വിഷമിക്കണ്ട (vishamikkanda) = Don't feel bad, don't worry നീ വരണ്ട (nee varanda) = You don't need to come ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടണ്ട (buddhimuttanda) = Don't trouble yourself തൊടല്ലേ (thodalle) = Don't touch (please) വീഴല്ലേ (veezhalle) = Careful, don't fall മറക്കല്ലേ, കേട്ടോ (marakkalle, ketto) = Don't forget, okay? ഓടല്ലേ (odalle) = Don't run ചൂടാണ്, തൊടല്ലേ (choodaanu, thodalle) = It's hot, don't touch ഇപ്പോഴേ പോകല്ലേ (ippozhe pokalle) = Don't go yet, stay a bit (to a guest) കള്ളം പറയരുത് (kallam parayaruthu) = You must not tell lies ഇവിടെ വണ്ടി നിർത്തരുത് (ivide vandi nirtharuthu) = Do not park here വാതിൽ തുറന്നിടരുത് (vaathil thurannidaruthu) = Don't leave the door open പാടില്ല (paadilla) = it is not allowed, it shouldn't be done. It follows the -aan form. 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.