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?