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 closely related to Malayalam, and more distantly related to Kannada and Telugu. It is not related to the languages spoken in northern India, though it does contain a large number of loan words from Sanskrit.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

a

like 'a' in "apple", 'a' in "cake", "a" in "amen"

e

like 'e' in "magazine", 'e' in "bed" (often silent at the end of a word)

i

like 'i' in "pine", 'i' in "fin"

o

like 'ow' in "low", like 'o' in "top"

u

like 'oo' in "hoop", like 'u' in "cup"

Consonants

b

like 'b' in "bed"

c

like 's' in "supper", 'k' in "kid"

d

like 'd' in "dog"

f

like 'ph' in "phone"

g

like 'g' in "go", 'j' in "jello"

h

like 'h' in "help" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries)

j

like 'dg' in "edge"

k

like 'c' in "cat"

l

like 'l' in "love"

m

like 'm' in "mother"

n

like 'n' in "nice"

p

like 'p' in "pig"

q

like 'q' in "quest" (with "u", almost always)

r

like 'r' in "row", like 'r' in "feather" (often silent in the UK and other Commonwealth countries at end of word)

s

like 'ss' in "hiss", like 'z' in "haze"

t

like 't' in "top"

v

like 'v' in "victory"

w

like 'w' in "weight"

x

like 'cks' in "kicks", like 'z' in "haze" (at beginning of a word)

y

like 'y' in "yes", like 'ie' in "pie", like 'ee' in "flee"

z

like 'z' in "haze"

Common diphthongs

ay

like 'ay' in "say"

ai

like 'ay' in "say"

au

like 'awe'

ee

like 'ee' in "see"

ei

like 'ay' in "say"

ey

like 'ay' in "say", like 'ee' in "see"

ie

like 'ee' in "see"

oi

like 'oy' in "boy"

oo

like 'oo' in "food", like 'oo' in "good"

ou

like 'ow' in "cow", like 'oo' in "food", like 'o' in "cot"

ow

like 'ow' in "cow"

oy

like 'oy' in "boy"

ch

like 'ch' in "touch"

sh

like 'sh' in "sheep"

th

like 'th' in "this", like 'th' in "those"

gh

like 'f' in "fish"

ph

like 'f' in "fish"

Phrase list

Basics

Hello.

வணக்கம்

Vaṇakkam

Hello. (informal)

ஹாய் (hāy) (Hi) (as used in English)

How are you?

எப்படி இருக்கீங்க?

Eppaṭi irukkīṅka?

Fine, thank you.

நல்லா இருக்கின்றேன்

Nallā irukkinṟēn

What is your name?

உங்க பெயர் என்ன ?

ungGa pEyaru enna?

My name is ______ .

என் பெயர் ______

en pEyaru ______

Nice to meet you.

தங்களை சந்தித்தது மிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி

ThanGala santhithadhu mikka magizhcchi

Please.

தயவு செய்து

thayavu Cheithu

Thank you.

நன்றி.

nandri.

You're welcome.

வரவேற்கிறேன்

Varavetrkiren.

Yes.

Āmām. ஆமாம்

No.

Illai. இல்லை

Excuse me. (getting attention)

mannikkavum. மன்னிக்கவும்

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

thayavu seithu. தயவு செய்து

I'm sorry.

Ennai mannikavum. என்னை மன்னிக்கவும்

Goodbye

pOi varukirEn. போய் வருகிறேன்

Goodbye (informal)

varEn. வறேன்

See you tomorrow

nalai parkalam. நாளை பார்க்கலாம்

I can't speak name of language [well].

ennaal name of language Uraiyada Iyalaadhu. (formal)

என்னால் name of language உரையாட இயலாது

enakku name of language pesa theriyaathu (informal)

எனக்கு name of language பேச தெரியாது

Do you speak English?

AangilathiL UraiyaaduveergaLa?

Is there someone {here/around-here} who speaks English?

ingGe evaaravathu AangilathiL UraiyaaduveergaLa?

Help!

uthavi veeNdum 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 cheya இப்போது என்ன செய்ய

Eagerly waiting for your arrival

Thangalin Varugaiyai Avaludan ethirparkirEn! தங்களின் வருகையை ஆவலுடன் எதிர்பர்க்கிறேன்!

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 paiyai Thulainthathu.

I lost my wallet.

en Pana Paiyai ThulaithuvittEn.

I'm sick.

en odambu chariyaga illai.

I've been injured.

enakku kaayam ErpattuLLathu.

I need a doctor.

enakku oru Maruthuvar Chigichai vEndum

Can I use your phone?

ungaL Kaipeesiyai naan PayanpaduthikoLLaLaama?

Eagerly waiting

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 _____ (...)

half

half (arai)

less

less (kuraivu/ kuraivaaga)

more

more (athigam)

Time

now

ippO(...)

later

appuram(...)

before

munnaadi(...)

after

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 (...)

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

sevvaai

Wednesday

puthan

Thursday

vyaalan

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, utha (...)

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 porathu ?

How do I get to _____ ?

_____ ku eppadi pOrathu? (...)

...the train station?

...pugai vandi nelayam (...)

...the bus station?

... perunthu nelayam (...)

...the airport?

...vimaana nelayam (...)

...downtown?

...downtown (...)

...the youth hostel?

...illangar veduthi(...)

...the _____ hotel?

...thangum veduthi (...)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British thutharagam(...)

Where are there a lot of...

enga neraya... (...) irukkum?

...hotels?

thangum veduthi? (...)

...restaurants?

unnavagam (...)

...bars?

mathu arunthum iddam (...)

...sites to see?

...parkum 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 aalu room evlavu aagum? (...)

Does the room come with...

... roomOda varumaa? (...)

...bedsheets?

...pOrvai (...)

...a bathroom?

...kuliyelarai (...)

...a telephone?

...tholaiphesi (...)

...a TV?

...tholaikachi (...)

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?

...maliva (...)

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 sEtthaa? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper?

kalai-tiffin/night-saapadu etthanai manikku? (...)

Please clean my room.

Room suttham pannunga. (...)

Can you wake me at _____?

enna _____ maniku eluppi vda 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, thayavusaithu...

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 sapadu

unlimited meal

Mulu sapadu

à la carte

à la carte (...)

breakfast

breakfast/kaaLai sapadu

lunch

lunch (madhiam sapadu)

tea (meal)

tea (theayneer)

supper

supper (sayangalam sapadu)

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 a 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?

(YaravDhu table servicer irukaanGala?)

A beer/two beers, please.

(oru beer/rendu beers, dhayavu saidhu.)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

(oru glass sivappu/vellai wine, dhayavu saidhu.)

A pint, please.

(oru pint, dhayavu saidhu.)

A bottle, please.

(oru bottle, dhayavu saidhu. )

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

(_____ matrum _____, dhayavu saidhu.)

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 saidhu

please,one more

dhayavu saidhu,innumonu

Another round, please.

(innum oru round, dhayavu saidhu )

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 yemathigitu irrukirai.

I'm not interested.

enaku virupam 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 poti

...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.

Ezhuthugol.

...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.

nan oru America/Australia/British/Canadia kudimakan. (...)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

nan 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?