Present Continuous Tense in Malayalam
Learn how to describe actions happening now in Malayalam, including positive, negative and question forms.
The present continuous describes something happening now: I am eating, she is working or they are playing. A widely used Malayalam pattern contains the verb and -ukayaanu / -kkukayaanu.
In natural speech, you will also hear shorter present forms. Begin with the clear full pattern so you can recognise statements and questions confidently.
What you need to know
Statement
ഞാൻ ക്രിക്കറ്റ് കളിക്കുകയാണ് (njan cricket kalikkukayaanu) means I am playing cricket.
Question
Change aanu to aano: നീ ക്രിക്കറ്റ് കളിക്കുകയാണോ? means Are you playing cricket?
Negative
A natural negative often uses -unnilla: അവൻ പാൽ കുടിക്കുന്നില്ല means He is not drinking milk.
Useful Malayalam examples
Read each sentence aloud. Use the pronunciation as a bridge, then return to the Malayalam script as you become familiar with it.
Make the lesson yours
- Describe what three people around you are doing.
- Turn three statements into aano questions.
- Say two actions that are not happening now.
Common questions
How do I identify present continuous Malayalam?
Listen for verb patterns such as -kkukayaanu in statements and -kkukayaano in questions.
How do I say I am learning Malayalam?
ഞാൻ മലയാളം പഠിക്കുകയാണ് — Njan Malayalam padikkukayaanu.