GREETINGS: HOW DO I SAY ‘HELLO!’ IN TAMIL?

Vazhththu: Thamizhil ‘Vanakkam!’ Solvadhu Eppadi?

வாழ்த்து: தமிழில் ‘வணக்கம்!’ சொல்வது எப்படி?

FAMILY RELATIONS

Kudumba Uravugal

குடும்ப உறவுகள்

USEFUL PHRASES

Payanulla Vaakkiyangal

பயனுள்ள வாக்கியங்கள்

QUESTIONING IN TAMIL

Thamizhil Kaelvi Kaetpadhu

தமிழில் கேள்வி கேட்பது

NUMBERS IN TAMIL

Thamizhil Engal

தமிழில் எண்கள்

TIME AND MEASUREMENTS

Naeramum Alavugalum

நேரமும் அளவுகளும்

HOW DO I SAY?

Naan Eppadi Solvadhu?

நான் எப்படி சொல்வது?

EXERCISES

Payirchigal

பயிற்சிகள்

As in many foreign languages, in Tamil too, there are letters which have sounds that are not available in the English language. One of them is – ழ – which is often denoted by “Zh”. It is pronounced like the letter “L” but with the rolling of the tongue. For example, the word “Tamil” is transliterated as Thamizh (starting with a “Th” sound and ending with a tongue rolling of the letter “L”). Mind you, there are 2 other letters in Tamil – ல and ள – which are pronounced very much like the normal “L” in English.

Another letter you are likely to come across is – ஞ – which is often denoted by “Gnya” and pronounced more like “nj”. For example, this letter is used in Aaranju, which is the Tamil translation of the word “Orange” and sounds similar too. The “nj” part of Aaranju is what you will need when you see words beginning with “Gn”. It may be difficult initially, but with some practice, you will surely master it!

Spoken Tamil is often different from Formal/ Written Tamil, and in order to differentiate the two, we have used the purple color to indicate Spoken Tamil Transliteration (Tamil words written using the English alphabet) and Spoken Tamil Script.

Throughout the lesson plan, the following sequencing has been used:

a. Word/ Phrase/ Sentence in English
b. Spoken Tamil Transliteration in English
c. Spoken Tamil Script
d. Formal Tamil Transliteration in English
e. Formal Tamil Script

GREETINGS: HOW DO I SAY ‘HELLO!’ IN TAMIL

Vazhththu: Thamizhil ‘Vanakkam!’ Solvadhu Eppadi?

வாழ்த்து: தமிழில் ‘வணக்கம்!’ சொல்வது எப்படி?

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

Ninaivil Kolga:

நினைவில் கொள்க:

• In English, the greeting depends on the time we meet a person.

i.e., Good morning, good afternoon and so on, but in Tamil, a simple Vanakkam is all you need to say, be it any time of the day or night.

• You can say Vanakkam even when you take leave of the person.

• The word Vanakkam can be followed by the name of the person you have met. Example: Vanakkam Sir / Vanakkam Raj.

• If you are greeting a relative, you can use the name of the relationship too. Eg. Vanakkam Uncle / Vanakkam Maamaa (மாமா – Maamaa is Uncle in Tamil). Before we learn how to introduce ourselves, let’s learn about common relationships in Tamil.

2.FAMILY RELATIONS

Kudumba Uravugal

குடும்ப உறவுகள்

SIBLINGS

Kooda Pirandhavargal / Udan Pirandhavargal

கூடப் பிறந்தவர்கள் / உடன் பிறந்தவர்கள்

Grandfather – Thaaththaa

Thaaththaa is a common way of addressing both, paternal and maternal grandfathers. Addtionally, in the Tamil culture, all elderly men, whether they are related to us or not, are respectfully addressed as Thaaththaa.

Grandmother – Paatti

Paatti is how both, paternal and maternal grandmothers are   addressed. The same word, paatti, is used to address all elderly women, whether they are related to us or not.

In different regions of Tamil Nadu, people fondly address their grandmothers and/ or elderly women using words other than Paatti, such as – Aayaa/ஆயா, Aachchi/ஆச்சி,  Ammaachchi/அம்மாச்சி, Appaththaa/அப்பத்தா,  Ammammaa/அம்மம்மா, Ammaayi/அம்மாயி.

The Grand Children –( Paera pasanga )  are addressed as

Grand Son – Paeran / பேரன்

Grand Daughter – Paeththi / பேத்தி

RELATIVES

Uravugal

உறவுகள்

Thamizhil Kaelvi kaetpadhu

தமிழில் கேள்வி கேட்பது

Some Phrases using the above question words are given below for reference.

5. NUMBERS IN TAMIL
Thamizhil Engal
தமிழில் எண்கள்

*Note – All the between numbers can be formed by removing ‘dhu’ and adding ‘ththi’ to the 10’s number. Example – 30+1-31 – Muppadhu+onnu – Muppaththi onnu.

6. TIME AND MEASUREMENTS
Naeramum Alavugalum
நேரமும் அளவுகளும்

Tamil fractions must be learned in order to study time and measurements.  Both interpreting time and mentioning measurements in Tamil are possible with the help of these fractions.

Fractions/Binnangal/பின்னங்கள்

Time/Naeram/நேரம்

Let us now learn to say the time in Tamil.

** – whole number

The above time can also be read as

10.15– Paththu Padhinanju, 10.30 – Paththu muppadhu, 10.45 – Paththu nappaththi anju

Other Examples –

10.00 – Paththu , 06.00 – Aaru.

03.10 – Moonu patthu, 12.20 – Pannendu Iruvadhu.

Measurements/Alavugal/அளவுகள்

You might frequently refer to kilograms and litres in conversation. Litre is the unit of measurement for liquids and Kilo is for solids. To say measurements, add the fractions you learned above, to the whole number.

Examples –

Quarter kilogram of rice – Kaal kilo arisi

Half Kilogram of oats – Arai kilo oats

Three fourth kilogram of sugar – Mukkaal kilo sakkarai

Half Litre Milk – Arai litre paal

7. HOW DO I SAY?
Naan Eppadi Solvadhu?
நான் எப்படி சொல்வது?
Naan Eppadi Solla Vaendum?
நான் எப்படி சொல்ல வேண்டும்?

Language

Mozhi

மொழி

Word

Vaarththai

வார்த்தை

Vaarththai/Sol

வார்த்தை/சொல்

Pronunciation

Uchcharippu

உச்சரிப்பு

I know _______.

Enakku ___________ theriyum.

எனக்கு ___________ தெரியும்.

I don’t know Tamil.

Enakku Thamizh theriyaadhu.

எனக்கு தமிழ் தெரியாது.

Enakkuth Thamizh theriyaadhu.

எனக்குத் தமிழ் தெரியாது.

I am learning Tamil.

Naan Thamizh kaththukkiraen.

நான் தமிழ் கத்துக்கிறேன்.

Naan Thamizh kattruk kondu irukkiraen.

நான் தமிழ் கற்றுக் கொண்டு இருக்கிறேன்.

I am studying  Tamil.

Naan Thamizh padikkiraen.

நான் தமிழ் படிக்கிறேன்.

Naan Thamizh padiththu kondu irukkiraen.

நான் தமிழ் படித்துக் கொண்டு இருக்கிறேன்.

I am reading Tamil.

Naan Thamizh vaasikkiraen.

நான் தமிழ் வாசிக்கிறேன்.

Naan Thamizh vaasiththu kondu irukkiraen.

நான் தமிழ் வாசித்துக் கொண்டு இருக்கிறேன்.

I know to speak a little Tamil.

Enakku konjam Thamizh paesa theriyum.

எனக்கு  கொஞ்சம் தமிழ் பேச தெரியும்.

Enakku siridhalavu Thamizh paesath theriyum.

எனக்கு சிறிதளவு தமிழ் பேசத் தெரியும்.

Am I saying this right?

Naan idha sariyaa solraenaa?

நான் இத சரியா சொல்றேனா?

Naan idhai sariyaaga solgiraenaa?

நான் இதை சரியாக சொல்கிறேனா?

How do you say this in Tamil?

Idha Thamizh-la eppadi solluveenga?

இத தமிழ்ல எப்படி சொல்லுவீங்க?

Idhai Thamizh-il eppadi sollveergal?

இதை தமிழில் எப்படி சொல்வீர்கள்?

What does it mean?

Idhukku enna arththam?

இதுக்கு என்ன அர்த்தம்?

Idharku enna arththam / porul?

இதற்கு என்ன அர்த்தம் / பொருள்?

Please say it again.

Adha thirumba / thirumbavum sollunga.

அத திரும்ப / திரும்பவும் சொல்லுங்க.

Adhai marupadiyum sollungal.

அதை மறுபடியும் சொல்லுங்கள்.

Do you understand?

Unakku / Ungalukku puriyudhaa?

உனக்கு / உங்களுக்கு புரியுதா?

Ungalukku purigiradhaa?

உங்களுக்கு புரிகிறதா?

Yes, I understand.

Aamaam, enakku puriyudhu.

ஆமாம், எனக்கு புரியுது.

Aam, enakku purikiradhu.

ஆம், எனக்குப் புரிகிறது.

No, I don’t understand.

Illa, enakku puriyala.

இல்ல, எனக்கு புரியல.

Illai, enakku  puriyavillai.

இல்லை, எனக்குப் புரியவில்லை.

8. EXERCISES
Payirchigal
பயிற்சிகள்

I. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate question words:
Koaditta idangalil kaelvikkaana sariyaana sorkalai ezhudhungal:
கோடிட்ட இடங்களில் கேள்விக்கான சரியான சொற்களை எழுதுங்கள்:

(Yaen / Enna / Edhukku / Eppoa / Eppadi / Enga)
(ஏன் / என்ன / எதுக்கு / எப்போ / எப்படி / எங்க)

1. ______________ aachu? ஆச்சு (What happened?)

2. ______________ aachu? ஆச்சு (Where did it happen?)

3. ______________ aachu? ஆச்சு (How did it happen?)

4. ______________ aachu? ஆச்சு (Why did it happen?)

5. ______________ aachu? ஆச்சு (For what did it happen?)

II. Say the following Numbers in Tamil:
Pinvarum engalai Thamizhil kooruga:
பின்வரும் எண்களை தமிழில் கூறுக:

III. What comes after, write and say:

Pinvarum engalukku aduththu varum engalai ezhudhuga, kooruga:

பின்வரும் எண்களுக்கு அடுத்து வரும் எண்களை எழுதுக, கூறுக:

28, _____                                                                      45, _____

77, _____                                                                      98, _____

79, _____                                                                      29, _____

IV. What comes before, write and say:

Pinvarum engalukku munbaaga varum engalai ezhudhuga, kooruga:

பின்வரும் எண்களுக்கு முன்பாக வரும் எண்களை எழுதுக, கூறுக:

_____, 75                                                                      _____, 13

_____, 21                                                                      _____, 49

_____, 83                                                                      _____, 100

VI. Fillin the blanks:

Koaditta idaththai nirappuga:

கோடிட்ட இடத்தை நிரப்புக:

1. Enakku __________ (quarter kilogram) maampazham thaanga.

2. Mani ippoa ___________ (Half past one).

3. Naalaikku __________ (quarter to five) -kku poalaam.

4. En thambikku _________ (two’o clock) manikku tamil class irukku.

5. ____________ (Half litre) juice poadhum.

VII. Say yes/No:

Sariyaa thavaraa koorungal:

சரியா தவறா கூறுங்கள்:

Hint- (Wakes up – ezhundhiruppaan, Brushes – pal thaeyppaan, Eats – saapiduvaan, Goes – poavaan)

1. Raj aararai manikku ezhundhiruppaan – Sari/Thavaru
2. Prem ette kaal manikku pal thaeyppaan – Sari/Thavaru
3. Ravi onbadhu manikku saappiduvaan – Sari/Thavaru
4. Prem aaru manikku school poavaan – Sari/Thavaru

In the upcoming lessons, you will learn the verbs and their conjugations in great detail.

The below section provides you with the important phrases that you may use or hear in the conversations. It is suggested that students utilise it as a glossary to look up the meanings or memorise it and use it in accordance with their interests.

Essential Phrases – 1

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