Doing business in Kerala? One word — നോക്കാം — will save you more than any other vocabulary in this lesson. Kerala is a high-context business culture: relationships first, tea first, and very often no decision in the room. Learn the core trade vocabulary, how to read a polite refusal, the shape of a Kerala meeting, and the one closing sentence that turns a vague maybe into a next step without pressing anyone. Words in this class: കച്ചവടം (kachavadam) – trade, commerce യോഗം (yogam) – meeting ചർച്ച (charcha) – discussion കരാർ (karaar) – contract, agreement ലാഭം (laabham) – profit നഷ്ടം (nashtam) – loss വായ്പ (vaaypa) – loan പലിശ (palisha) – interest ഒപ്പിടുക (oppiduka) – to sign നോക്കാം (nokkaam) – we'll see (often a polite no) ആലോചിക്കാം (aalochikkaam) – let's think about it എപ്പോൾ വീണ്ടും സംസാരിക്കാം? (eppol veendum samsaarikkaam?) – when can we speak again? നമുക്ക് ബന്ധപ്പെടാം (namukku bandhappedaam) – let's stay in touch In this class: • Core business vocabulary — price, profit, loss, loan, contract • Reading നോക്കാം, ശ്രമിക്കാം and ആലോചിക്കാം — real intent or polite refusal • High-context culture: tea, small talk, and the decision that arrives by phone • Why opening in Malayalam signals commitment, even when the deal is in English Quizzes below. Dr. Reshmi R Nair — SpeakMalayalam.