In spoken Malayalam one short word can be a statement, a question, a shock or a sigh, and only the tune tells you which. English speakers often read Malayalam in one flat line, so a question sounds like an order, or a kind "okay" sounds annoyed. They also over-use question words, because in English a question needs one. In this episode: • Statement or question: vannu and vanno • Aano: really, doubt and is it • Sheri: flat, rising and long • Ayyo and friends: feelings in one word • Stress and annoyance • Language bridge • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: വന്നു. (vannu.) = (he) came. Falling: a fact വന്നു? (vannu?) = (he) came? Rising: checking, maybe surprised വന്നോ? (vanno?) = did (he) come? അച്ഛൻ വന്നോ? (achan vanno?) = has Achan come? കഴിച്ചു. (kazhichu.) = (I) ate. Fact കഴിച്ചു? (kazhichu?) = you ate already? Surprised check കഴിച്ചോ? (kazhicho?) = did you eat? The everyday caring question ആണോ (aano) = is it? Its tune carries three meanings. ആണോ? (aano?) = really? Short and high: friendly surprise ആ...ണോ (aa...no) = is that so... Long and falling: polite doubt അവൻ ഡോക്ടർ ആണോ? (avan doctor aano?) = is he a doctor? Plain question അതെ. (athe.) = yes. Calm അതെ? (athe?) = is that right? Checking ശരി (sheri) = okay, right. ശരി. (sheri.) = okay. Flat and short: agreed, done ശരി? (sheri?) = okay? Rising: do you agree? ശരീ... (sheree...) = okaaay. Long and falling: fine, if you insist ശരി ശരി (sheri sheri) = okay okay. Doubled and quick: I get it, no need to repeat അയ്യോ (ayyo) = oh no, oh dear. 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.