If you’re starting Malayalam, learning the Malayalam letters (also called Aksharamala) is the fastest way to read and write confidently. Malayalam may look complex at first, but it becomes simple once you understand vowels, consonants, and how letters combine.
In this guide you’ll learn: Malayalam vowels (സ്വരാക്ഷരങ്ങൾ), Malayalam consonants (വ്യഞ്ജനാക്ഷരങ്ങൾ), chillu letters (ചില്ലക്ഷരങ്ങൾ), letter combinations, and quick practice tips.
Malayalam letters (Aksharamala) are the building blocks of Malayalam reading and writing. They include vowels and consonants. Once you learn how consonants combine with vowel signs (for example, ക + ാ = കാ), you can start reading simple Malayalam words.
You may see different counts like 54 or 56. That’s because some lists include chillu letters and a few special characters used mainly in Sanskrit-based words. For most learners, the best approach is:
Vowels are the easiest starting point. Learn the sound first, then read examples slowly. (Your existing vowels table can stay as-is.)
| Alphabets | Word | English Meaning | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| അ [a] | അമ്മ (amma) | Mother |
|
| ആ [aa] | ആന (aana) | Elephant |
|
| ഇ [i] | ഇല (ila) | Leaf |
|
| ഈ [ee] | ഈച്ച (eecha) | House Fly |
|
| ഉ [u] | ഉറുമ്പ് (urumb) | Ant |
|
| ഊ [oo] | ഊഞ്ഞാൽ (oonjal) | Swing |
|
| ഋ [ru] | ഋഷി (rishi) | Sage |
|
| എ [e] | എലി (eli) | Rat |
|
| ഏ [ea] | ഏണി (eani) | Ladder |
|
| ഐ (ai) | ഐതീഹ്യം (aitheehyam) | Myth |
|
| ഒ [o] | ഒട്ടകം (ottakam) | Camel |
|
| ഓ [oo] | ഓടി (oodi) | Run |
|
| ഔ [au] | ഔഷധം (aushadham) | Medicine |
|
| അം [am] | അംഗരക്ഷകൻ (amgarakshakan) | Body Guard |
|
Malayalam consonants are best learned in small groups. Don’t rush memorising everything. Learn one group, read a few words, and repeat daily — this is the fastest way to improve reading.
Chillu letters represent a pure consonant sound (without the default “a” sound). You’ll often see them at the end of words.
Example: അവൻ (avan) = “he” (ends with chillu-n)
Malayalam becomes much easier when you understand this one rule: Consonants + vowel signs create new sounds. Practice one consonant with vowel signs every day.
| Malayalam | Simple Sound |
|---|---|
| ക | ka |
| കാ (ക + ാ) | kaa |
| കി (ക + ി) | ki |
| കീ (ക + ീ) | kee |
| കു (ക + ു) | ku |
| കൂ (ക + ൂ) | koo |
| കെ (ക + െ) | ke |
| കൈ (ക + ൈ) | kai |
| കൊ (ക + ൊ) | ko |
| കോ (ക + ോ) | koo |
Once you practice combinations daily, you’ll be able to read beginner Malayalam words much faster.
These are the most common beginner mistakes. Fixing them improves reading and spelling immediately.
If you follow this plan for one week (15 minutes daily), you’ll build a strong base.
Read these slowly. Then write each word once.
If you want to learn Malayalam faster with guidance, you can join our beginner Malayalam classes. We also provide a free demo.
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Malayalam looks complex at first, but reading becomes easier once you learn vowels and combinations. Speaking improves with listening + daily practice.
With daily practice, most beginners can learn the basics in 7–14 days.
Aksharamala means “garland of letters” — the Malayalam alphabet.
Some lists include chillu letters and special characters; others count only the basic letters used in daily writing.
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