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Tamil phrasebook: 13 phrases and numbers
Tamil is a Dravidian language with a literary tradition that goes back over two thousand years. It is spoken in southern India, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
- In its own name: தமிழ்
- Writing system: Tamil
- Family: Dravidian, South Dravidian
- Official language in: Sri Lanka, Singapore
Essential Tamil phrases
| English | Tamil | Romanisation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | வணக்கம் | vanakkam |
| Goodbye | போய் வருகிறேன் | poi varukiren |
| Good morning | காலை வணக்கம் | kaalai vanakkam |
| Good night | இனிய இரவு | iniya iravu |
| Thank you | நன்றி | nandri |
| Please | தயவு செய்து | thayavu seithu |
| Sorry | மன்னிக்கவும் | mannikkavum |
| Yes | ஆம் | aam |
| No | இல்லை | illai |
| My name is ___ | என் பெயர் ___ | en peyar ___ |
| What is your name? | உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன? | ungal peyar enna? |
| How are you? | எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்? | eppadi irukkireergal? |
| I love you | நான் உன்னை காதலிக்கிறேன் | naan unnai kaadhalikkiren |
1 more phrase is held back until a second source or a native speaker confirms it. Phrases are cross-checked against independent sources but still await a native-speaker review.
Numbers 1 to 10 in Tamil
| # | Word | Romanisation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ஒன்று | onru |
| 2 | இரண்டு | irandu |
| 3 | மூன்று | moonru |
| 4 | நான்கு | naangu |
| 5 | ஐந்து | ainthu |
| 6 | ஆறு | aaru |
| 7 | ஏழு | ezhu |
| 8 | எட்டு | ettu |
| 9 | ஒன்பது | onbathu |
| 10 | பத்து | pathu |
Pronunciation
Tamil has several r and l sounds that English merges, including a retroflex ழ. Consonants change voicing depending on their position in the word.
Good to know
Tamil has a clear divide between spoken and written style. The honorific forms are important when speaking to elders.
Mini quiz
A quick check of what you just read.
Play with Tamil
Meet Tamil in Mystery Phrase, Listen and Guess and Memory Match.
Questions
How do you say hello in Tamil?
வணக்கம் (vanakkam).
What writing system does Tamil use?
Tamil is written in Tamil.