Tamil phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

Tamil (தமிழ் tamiḻ) is the language closest to Proto-Dravidian among the Dravidian language family. Spoken predominantly by Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore, it has smaller communities of speakers in many other countries. As of 1996, it was the eighteenth most spoken language, with over 74 million speakers worldwide. It is one of the official languages of India, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Tamil is one of the longest surviving classical languages in the world. It has been described as "the only language of contemporary India which is recognizably continuous with a classical past" and having "one of the richest literatures in the world". Tamil literature has existed for over 2000 years. The earliest epigraphic records found on rock edicts and hero stones date from around the 3rd century BCE. The earliest period of Tamil literature, Sangam literature, is dated from ca. 300 BCE – 300 CE. Tamil language inscriptions written c. 1st century BCE and 2nd century CE have been discovered in Egypt, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The two earliest manuscripts from India, to be acknowledged and registered by UNESCO Memory of the World register in 1997 and 2005 were in Tamil. More than 55% of the epigraphical inscriptions (about 55,000) found by the Archaeological Survey of India are in the Tamil language. According to a 2001 survey, there were 1,863 newspapers published in Tamil, of which 353 were dailies. It has the oldest extant literature amongst other Dravidian languages. The variety and quality of classical Tamil literature has led to its being described as "one of the great classical traditions and literatures of the world."

Tamil is spoken in many different dialects throughout Tamil Nadu and the Tamil-speaking parts of Sri Lanka. The dialect spoken in Thanjavur is generally regarded as the standard.

Tamil is closely related to Malayalam, and more distantly related to Kannada and Telugu. It is not related to the languages spoken in northern India, but like other Indian languages has been heavily influenced by Sanskrit.

Pronunciation guide

Tamil is written using its own script. Like other Indic scripts, the Tamil script is an abugida, meaning that each letter represents a consonant, and vowels are indicated by modifications to the consonant letter or lack thereof.

Vowels

அ: like "a" in "about"
ஆ ா: like "a" in "father"
இ ி: like "i" in "pin"
ஈ ீ: like "ee" in "feet"
உ ு: like "u" in "push"
ஊ ூ: like "oo" in "moon"
எ ெ: like "e" in "bed"
ஏ ே: longer "e"
ஐ ை: like "y" in "type"
ஒ ொ: like "o" in "hope"
ஓ ோ: longer "o"
ஔ ௌ: like "ow" in "town"

Consonants

Tamil language has a distinction between dental and retroflex consonants, which is not really found in English. Dental consonants should be pronounced with the tongue tip touching your teeth, while retroflex consonants should be pronounced with the tongue tip curled back. Practice with a native speaker, or just pronounce as usual — you'll usually still get the message across.

க்: (between vowels) like "g" in "go"; (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "k" in "skip"
ங்: like "ng" in "sing"
ச்: (between vowels) like "j" in "jump"; (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "ch" in "chin" or "s" in "sun"
ஜ்: like "j" in "jump"
ஞ்: like "ny" in "canyon"
ட்: (between vowels) like "d" in "dog" but retroflex; (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "t" in "stick" but retroflex
ண்: like "n" in "bend" but retroflex
த்: (between vowels) like "d" in "dog" but dental; (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "t" in "stick" but dental
ந்: like "n" in "rain" but dental
ப்: (between vowels) like "b" in "bed"; (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "p" in "spin"
ம்: like "m" in "mum"
ய்: like "y" in "yes"
ர்: like "tt" in American "butter"
ல்: like "l" in "health"
வ்: like "v" in Spanish "vaca"
ழ்: quite like "rt" in American "party"
ள்: like "l" in "build" but retroflex
ற்: like "r" in "row"
ன்: like "n" in "no"
ஶ்: like "sh" in "shoot"
ஷ்: like "sh" in "shoot" but retroflex
ஸ்: like "s" in "sun"
ஹ்: like "h" in "behind"
க்ஷ்: like "ksh" in "worksheet"

Phrase list

In this phrasebook, plain "t" and "d" indicate retroflex consonants, "th" and "dh" indicate dental consonants and "zh" indicates the pronunciation of ழ். Such transcription is very common in signages. Long versions of "eh" and "oh" are marked with an overline. Otherwise, this phrasebook follows Wikivoyage's pseudo-phonetic transcription.

Basics

Hello.: வணக்கம் (vuh-nnuhk-kuhm)
Hi.: ஹாய் (hahy) (as used in English)
How are you?: எப்படி இருக்கீங்க? (ehp-puh-dih ih-ruk-keeng-guh?)
Fine, thank you.: நல்லா இருக்கின்றேன் (nuhl-lah ih-ruk-kihn-rēhn)
What is your name?: உங்க பெயர் என்ன? (ung-guh peh-yuh-ru ehn-nuh?)
My name is ______ .: என் பெயர் ______ (ehn peh-yuh-ru ______)
Nice to meet you.: தங்களை சந்தித்தது மிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி (thuhng-guh-luh suhn-thihth-thuh-dhu mihk-kuh muh-gizhch-chih)
Please.: தயவு செய்து (thuh-yuh-vu sey-thu)
Thank you.: நன்றி. (nuhn-drih)
You're welcome.: நல்வரவு (nuhl-vuh-ruh-vu)
Yes.: ஆமாம் (ah-mahm)
No.: இல்லை (ihl-ligh)
Excuse me. (getting attention): மன்னிக்கவும் (muhn-nihk-kuh-vum)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): தயவு செய்து (thuh-yuh-vu sey-thu)
I'm sorry.: என்னை மன்னிக்கவும் (ehn-nigh muhn-nihk-kuh-vum)
Goodbye.: போய் வருகிறேன் (pōhy vuh-ruh-gih-rēhn)
Bye.: வரேன் (vuh-rēhn)
See you tomorrow: நாளை பார்க்கலாம் (nah-ligh pahrk-kuh-lahm)
I can't speak Tamil [well].: ennaal ?????? Uraiyada Iyalaadhu. (formal); என்னால் ?????? உரையாட இயலாது; enakku ?????? pesa theriyaathu (informal); எனக்கு ?????? பேச தெரியாது
Do you speak English?: AangilathiL UraiyaaduveergaLa?
Is there someone {here/around-here} who speaks English?: ingGe evaravathu AangilathiL UraiyaaduveergaLa?
Help!: uthavi veNdum உதவி வேண்டும்.
Look out!: Sariyaaga paar. சரியாக பார்
Good morning.: kaalai vaNakkam. காலை வணக்கம்
Good evening.: maalai vaNakkam. மாலை வணக்கம்
Good night (to sleep): nalliravu
Secret.: Ragasiyam ரகசியம்
I'm looking forward to...: Naan yethirparthu konde irukirEn நான் எதிர்பார்த்து கொண்டு இருக்கிறேன்
Have a pleasant journey.: Ungal payanam nandraaga amayattum. உங்கள் பயணம் நன்றாக அமையட்டும்
I wish you have a nice day: Intha Nal Iniyia Nalaga Malarum இந்த நாள் இனிய நாளாக மலரும்
I don't understand. explain clearly / again: Puriyalavillai. thelivaaga KuurungaL/ thirumbavum KuurungaL புரியவில்லை தெளிவாக கூறுங்கள்/திரும்பவும் கூறுங்கள்
Where is the toilet?: Toilet/Kazhivarai/othukkam engGe irruku டாய்லெட்/கழிவறை/ஒதுக்கம் எங்கே இர்ருக்கு
what to do now?: ippozhuthu enna seyya இப்போது என்ன செய்ய
Eagerly waiting for your arrival: Thangalin Varugaiyai Avaludan ethirparkirEn! தங்களின் வருகையை ஆவலுடன் எதிர்ப்பார்க்கிறேன்!

At this point, the fake phoneticizations of English are going to stop, and be replaced by ellipses.

Problems

Leave me alone.: ennai thaniyaaga vidungaL.
Don't touch me!: ennai thodaathe;(informal) ennai thodaatheergaL (Formal)
I'll call the Police.: Kavalthuraiyai azhaipEn
I need your help.: ungGaL udhavi vEndum. (formal) ; ungGaLudaiya Udhavi vEndum -(Informal)
It's an emergency.: migavum nerukadiyana nilai
I don't know where I am: naan engee erukiren endru theriyalavillai ( equal to I'm lost)
I lost my bag.: en paiyai ThulaithuvittEn
I missed my "Bag": En pai Thulainthuvittathu.
I lost my wallet.: en Pana Paiyai ThulaithuvittEn.
I'm sick.: en odambu sariyaga illai.
I've been injured.: enakku kaayam ErpattuLLathu.
I need a doctor.: enakku oru Maruthuvar vEndum
Can I use your phone?: ungaL Kaipeesiyai naan PayanpaduthikoLLaLaama?

Eagerly waiting

Kaaththirukkiren

Numbers

1: one ஒன்று (ondru)
2: two இரண்டு (irendu)
3: three மூன்று (moondru)
4: four (naangu)
5: five (ainthu)
6: six (aaru)
7: seven (yEzhu)
8: eight (yettu)
9: nine (onbathu)
10: ten (pathu)
11: eleven (pathinondru)
12: twelve (pannirendu)
13: thirteen (pathimoondru)
14: fourteen (pathinaangu)
15: fifteen (pathinainthuu)
16: sixteen (pathinaaru)
17: seventeen (pathinEzhu)
18: eighteen (pathinettu)
19: nineteen (patthonbathu)
20: twenty (irupathu)
21: twenty one (irupatthu onnu)
22: twenty two (irupatthu rendu)
23: twenty three (irupatthu moonu)
30: thirty (mup-ppathu)
40: forty (naar-pathu)
50: fifty (iam-pathu)
60: sixty (aru-pathu)
70: seventy (ezhu-pathu)
80: eighty (en-pathu)
90: ninety (thonnooru)
100: one hundred (nooru)
200: two hundred (iru nooru)
300: three hundred (mun nooru)
1000: one thousand (aayiram)
2000: two thousand (rendaayiram)
100,000: hundred thousand (noorayiram) {Indian system}
1,000,000: one million (pathu noorayiram)
10,000,000: ten million (oru kOdi) {Indian system}
1,000,000,000: one thousand million in UK, one billion in USA (Nigarputham)
1,000,000,000,000: one billion in UK, one trillion in USA (Karpam)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): number _____ (En)
half: half (arai)
less: less (kuraivu/ kuraivaaga)
more: more (athigam)

Time

now: ippO(...)
later: appuram(...)
before: munpu/munnaadi(...)
after: kazhichu/pinnaadi(...)
morning: kaalai(...)
afternoon: mathiyam / mathiyaanam(...)
evening: malai / saayingkalam(...)
night: iravu / raatthiri(...)

Clock time

one o'clock AM: kaalai oru mani (...)
two o'clock AM: kaalai rendu mani (...)
noon: mathiyam / mathiyaanam (...)
one o'clock PM: mathiyam / mathiyaanam oru mani (...)
two o'clock PM: mathiyam / mathiyaanam rendu mani (...)
midnight: nalliravu / nadu-raatthiri (...)

Duration

_____ minute(s): _____ nimisham (...)
_____ hour(s): _____ mani (...)
_____ day(s): _____ naal(...)
_____ week(s): _____ vaaram (...)
_____ month(s): _____ maasam (...)
_____ year(s): _____ varusham, aandu (...)

Days

today: indru / innaikki
yesterday: nEtru / nEtthaikki
tomorrow: naalai / naalaikki
this week: intha vaaram
last week: pona vaaram
next week: adutha vaaram

Sunday: nyaayiru
Monday: thingGal
Tuesday: chevvaai
Wednesday: pudhan
Thursday: vyaazhan
Friday: velli
Saturday: sani

Months

All dates provided below are approximate, varying by one or two days in the Gregorian Calendar depending on adjustments made to the calendar each year, to bring it in alignment with astronomic observations.

January: 15th January to 15th February (Thai)
February: 15th February to 15th March (Maasi)
March: 15th March to 15th April (Panguni)
April: 15th April to 15th May (Chiththirai)
May: 15th May to 15th June (Vaikasi)
June: 15th June to 15th July (Aani)
July: 15th July to 15th August (Aadi)
August: 15th August to 15th September (Aavani)
September: 15th September to 15th October (Purattasi)
October: 15th October to 15th November (Aippasi)
November: 15th November to 15th December (Kaarthikai)
December: 15th December to 15th January (Margazhi)

The year starts on the first day of the month of Chiththirai, usually the 15th of April.

Writing time and date

Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.

Colors

black: karuppu (...)
white: vellai (...)
gray: saambal (...)
red: sivappu (...)
blue: neelam (...)
yellow: manJal (...)
green: pachai (...)
orange: narantam (...)
purple: kathatipu, oodha (...)
brown: manniram/pazhuppu (...)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: _____ ku ticket evlavu? (...)
One ticket to _____, please.: _____ ku oru ticket kudunga, please. (...)
Where does this train/bus go?: intha train/bus engae p'O'guthu? (...)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: _____ ku train/bus engae? (...)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: intha train/bus _____ la nikkumaa? (...)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: _____ ku train/bus epp'O' kelambum? (...)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: epp'O' train/bus _____ vanthu sErum? (...)
let's embark on ship?: kappalill earalama?
but let's -------- on bus?: buslill earalama? please everyone fill that one.

Directions

how to go there ? : anga eppadi povathu ?

How do I get to _____ ?: _____ ku eppadi pOvathu? (...)
...the train station?: ...pugai vandi nilayam (...)
...the bus station?: ... paerunthu nilayam (...)
...the airport?: ...vimaana nilayam (...)
...downtown?: ...downtown (...)
...the youth hostel?: ...illaingar viduthi(...)
...the _____ hotel?: ...thangum veduthi (...)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British thootharagam(...)
Where are there a lot of...: enga niraiya... (...) irukkum?
...hotels?: thangum viduthi? (...)
...restaurants?: unavagam (...)
...bars?: mathu arundhum idam (...)
...sites to see?: ...paarkum idam? (...)
Can you show me on the map?: Map la kaata mudiyumaa? (...)
street: theru (...)
Turn left.: idathu pakkam thirumbungGa. (...)
Turn right.: valathu pakkam thirumbungGa. (...)
left: idam (...)
right: valam (...)
straight ahead: nEraa (...)
towards the _____: _____ pakkam (...)
past the _____: _____ thaandi (...)
before the _____: _____ munnaadi (...)
Watch for the _____.: _____ ku paarunga. (...)
intersection: intersection (...)
north: vadakku (...)
south: therku (...)
east: kilakku (...)
west: mErku (...)
uphill: mEdu (...)
downhill: pallam (...)

Taxi

Taxi!: Taxi! (...)
Take me to _____, please.: _____ ku kooti ponga, please. (...)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: _____ ku evalo aagum? (...)
Take me there, please.: anga kooti ponga, please. (...)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Room irukkaa? (...)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: oru / rendu aalukku room evlavu aagum? (...)
Does the room come with...: ... roomOda varumaa? (...)
...bedsheets?: ...pOrvai (...)
...a bathroom?: ...kuliyalarai (...)
...a telephone?: ...tholaipesi (...)
...a TV?: ...tholaikaatchi (...)
eg: Does the room come with bedsheets? ; pOrvai roomOda varumaa?
May I see the room first?: muthalla rooma pakkalamaa? (...)
Do you have anything ....?: itha vida ..... vEra irukkaa? (...)
...quieter?: ...amaithiyaa (...)
...bigger?: ...perusaa (...)
...cleaner?: ...sutthamaa (...)
...cheaper?: ...kuraivaa (...)
OK, I'll take it.: seri, eduthukarEn. (...)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: _____ iravu(kal) thangGuvEn. (...)
Can you suggest another hotel?: vEra hotel Ethaavathu sollunga? (...)
Do you have a safe?: locker irukkaa? (...)
Is breakfast/supper included?: kalai-tiffin/night-saapadu saEtthaa? (...)
What time is breakfast/supper?: kalai-tiffin/night-saapadu eththanai manikku? (...)
Please clean my room.: Room suththam pannunga. (...)
Can you wake me at _____?: enna _____ maniku eluppi vida mudiyumaa? (...)
I want to check out.: Check out panrEn. (...)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (neengGa america/austhiralia/canadia naattu dollar-gala yEtrukkolveergalaa?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Do you accept British pounds? (neengGa british pounds-a yEtrukolveergalaa?...)
Do you accept credit cards?: Do you accept credit cards? (neengGa credit card-a yEtrukkolveergalaa?)
Can you change money for me?: Can you change money for me? (ennOda paNatthukku chillarai maatthi thara mudiyumaa?)
Where can I get money changed?: Where can I get money changed? (engGa enakku chillarai kadaikkum?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Can you change a traveler's check for me? (neengGa yenakkaaga payanigal check-a maatthi thara mudiyyumaa?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (payanikal check-a ennala engGa maattha mudiyum)
What is the exchange rate?: What is the exchange rate? (Exchange Rate yenna?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM) (nearby)?: Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? ((pakkatthula) ATM enGa irukku?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: oru maejai oru nabarukku allathu irandu paerukku, thayavusaithu
Can I look at the menu, please?: naan intha menuvai parkkalama, thayavuseithu...
Can I look in the kitchen?: intha samayyal arayyinai naan parkkalaamaa?...
Is there a house specialty?: Ethavathu speciala irruka
I'm a vegetarian.: Naan saivam
I don't eat pork.: Naan pork/panrikari sappida maattaen.
I don't eat beef.: Naan beef/maattukkari sappida maattaen
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Ennna koriva uthunga
fixed-price meal: Allavu saapaadu
unlimited meal: Mulu saapaadu
à la carte: à la carte (...)
breakfast: breakfast/kaaLai saapaadu
lunch: lunch (madhiam saapaadu)
tea (meal): tea (theyneer)
supper: supper (maalai unavu)
I want _____.: Ennaku _____ vendum
I want a dish containing _____.: I want a dish containing _____. (...)
chicken: chicken (kozhi kunju)
beef: beef (maatirachi)
fish: fish (meen)
ham: ham (...)
sausage: sausage (...)
cheese: cheese (Paalkatti)
eggs: eggs (muttai)
salad: salad (pachai kaikari)
(fresh) vegetables: pachai kaikari
(fresh) fruit: pazham
bread: bread (bannu)
toast: toast (muru murunu)
noodles: noodles (...)
rice: satham
beans: beans (avarai)
May I have a glass of _____?: Ennakku oru glass ______ vennum.
May I have a cup of _____?: Ennakku oru cup ______ vennum.
May I have a bottle of _____?: Ennakku oru bottle ______ vennum.
coffee: coffee (...)
tea (drink): teh / tea (...)
juice: pazharasam / juice (...)
(bubbly) water: thanni
water: thanni
beer: beer (...)
Toddy: "KALLU"
red/white wine: red/white wine (...)
May I have some _____?: May I have some _____? (...)
salt: uppu
black pepper: milagu
butter: vennai (This some times can be an insulting word.)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Excuse me, waiter? (...)
I'm finished.: I'm finished. (naan mudithu vitean)
It was delicious.: Rusiya irunthathu
Please clear the plates.: Plate clear panirunga
The check, please.: The check, please. (...)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: (madhu inga kidaikkuma?)
Is there any table servicer?: (YaravaDhu table servicer irukaanGala?)
A beer/two beers, please.: (oru beer/rendu beers, dhayavu seidhu.)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: (oru glass sivappu/vellai wine, dhayavu seidhu.)
A pint, please.: (oru pint, dhayavu seidhu.)
A bottle, please.: (oru bottle, dhayavu seidhu. )
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: (_____ matrum _____, dhayavu seidhu.)
whiskey: whiskey (...)
rum: rum ("...")
water: ("thanni")
club soda: club soda (...)
tonic water: tonic water (...)
orange juice: orange juice (...)
Coke (soda): Coke (...)
Do you have any bar snacks?: Do you have any bar snacks? ('inga snacks irukka thanni adikka')
One more, please.: innumonu , dhayavu seidhu
please,one more: dhayavu seidhu,innumonu
Another round, please.: (innum oru round, dhayavu seidhu )
When is the closing time?: (entha manikku muduvinga? (or) mudum neram enna?)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: (Unga kitta indha madhiri en size/aalavu iruka)
How much is this?: (idhu yevalavu? (or) idhu/idhan vilai enna/yevalavu)
That's too expensive.: aadhu romba vilai athigam.
Would you take _____?: _____ nengal eduppingala?
expensive: athigam
cheap: koranjadhu
I can't afford it.: naan kuduka mudiyadhu.
I don't want it.: ennaku idhu vendaam.
You're cheating me.: nee ennai yemathikkitu irrukirai.
I'm not interested.: enakku viruppam illai.
OK, I'll take it.: sari, naan idhai eduthu kolgiren.
Can I have a bag?: ennaku oru pai thara mudiyuma.
Do you ship (overseas)?: neengal kadal kadanthu payanippavara.
I need...: ennaku theyvai
...toothpaste.: pal podi
...a toothbrush.: ...a toothbrush. (...)
...tampons.: ...tampons. (...)
...soap.: ...soap. (...)
...shampoo.: ...shampoo. (...)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): vali nivarani marundhu.
...cold medicine.: ...Jalathosha marunthu. (...)
...stomach medicine.: vayiru vali marundhu.
...a razor.: ...a razor. (...)
...an umbrella.: kudai. (...)
...sunblock lotion.: ...sunblock lotion. (...)
...a postcard.: ...oru Anjal Attai. (...)
...postage stamps.: ...postage Anjal Thalai. (...)
...batteries.: ...batteries. (...)
...writing paper.: Ezhuthum thaal.
...a pen.: Ezhuthukol.
...English-language books.: ...aangila putthagam.
...English-language magazines.: aangila ithaz
...an English-language newspaper.: aangila Seydhithaal.
...an English-English dictionary.: aangila-angilam agaraadhi.

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Vaadagaikku oru car venum. (...)
Can I get insurance?: Enakku kaapidu kidaikumA? (...)
stop (on a street sign): Nillu (...)
one way: oru vazhi paadhai (...)
yield: vilaichal(...)
no parking: vaaganam nirkka thadai(...)
speed limit: vega thadai (...)
gas (petrol) station: erivayu nilayam (...)
petrol: petrol (...)
diesel: diesel (Diesel is the name who found Diesel...so it should be same in Tamil too)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Naan oru thappum seyya villai
It was a misunderstanding.: Neenga thappa ninachuteenga. (...)
Where are you taking me?: Ennai enga kootikittu poreenga
Am I under arrest?: Ennai kaithu seyringala'
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: naan oru America/Australia/British/Canadia kudimagan. (...)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: naan America/Australia/British/Canadia embassy/consulate kitta pesanum. (...)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Naan valakaringarodu pesa vendum
Can I just pay a fine now?: Naan ippothu abaratham kattalaama?

This Tamil phrasebook is a usable article. It explains pronunciation and the bare essentials of travel communication. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.