Basic words in Tamil

315 words in Tamil on the topic “basic words”: நல்ல (nalla) — good, ஓம் (ōm) — yes, இல்லை (illai) — no, பெரிய (periya) — big. 315 words can be played from recordings.

Updated September 1, 2026 · Lingofly

315 words on the topic

நல்ல
nalla
good
Stands only in front of a noun: nalla aḷ, a good person. To say 'he is good' you need a different form, nallavar
ஓம்
ōm
yes
In conversation people often skip it and repeat the verb instead: 'Are you going?' — 'Going'
இல்லை
illai
no
Also the all-purpose negator: after a verb it stands last — Tamil says 'I come not' for 'I am not coming'
பெரிய
periya
big
Only before a noun. 'It is big' switches to perisu: itu perisu. The same word names the elder of a family: periyappā, 'father's elder brother'
சின்ன
siṉṉa
small
The partner of periya, with the same rule: before a noun ciṉṉa, on its own ciṉṉatu. Also 'younger': ciṉṉammā, 'mother's younger sister'
அழகு
aḻagu
beautiful
The noun 'beauty' working as a verdict: 'this is beauty' means 'this is beautiful'. Before a noun it becomes aḻagāṉa
அரை
arai
half
Stands before the word: 'half kilo', 'half hour'
இன்னொண்டு
iṉṉoṇḍu
one more
'Still' plus 'one'. The bookish form is 'one more' with a different spine
போதும்
pōdum
enough
This is what stops the pouring or the serving: 'enough, enough'
மொத்தம்
mottam
in total
Altogether, as the sum: 'how much in total?'
அளவு
aḷavu
size
a-la-vu; the ḷ is retroflex, the tongue curled back
அதிகம்
adigam
more
More, a greater amount. The comparison is made not by the form of the word but by the particle 'than': 'more than that'
குறைவு
kuṟaivu
less
ku-ray-vu; the ṟ is a rolled r, a different letter from the plain r
கனம்
kaṉam
heavy
Also 'weight': 'this is very heavy' is said through the noun
இலேசு
ilēsu
light (not heavy)
Light in weight. About a light, easy task one says 'easy' instead
புதுசு
pudusu
new
The spoken form of the bookish 'new'
பழசு
paḻasu
old
The partner of 'new' — about a thing. About a person one does not say it: an elderly person is 'aged'
உடைஞ்ச
uḍaiñca
broken
A participle of 'to shatter' — about smashed and cracked things. About a device one says otherwise: 'it went bad'
எல்லாம் சரி
ellām sari
it's all fine
Sari is 'right, all right'. It is also the short 'fine' in reply to a request
எல்லாம் நல்லா இருக்கு
ellām nallā irukku
everything is fine
The answer to 'how are you' and to 'is everything in order?' alike
ஆள்
āḷ
person
The spoken word for any human — 'someone, a certain one'. The bookish 'human being' lives in the paper; in the plural one says 'folk'
பதினொண்டு
padiṉoṇḍu
eleven
pa-di-non-du; the ṇ is an n with the tongue curled back, unlike the plain n you hear in paṉṉeṇḍu
பன்னெண்டு
paṉṉeṇḍu
twelve
The spoken form of the bookish paṉṉiraṇḍu. There is no word for a dozen — a dozen simply is paṉṉeṇḍu
பதிமூண்டு
padimūṇḍu
thirteen
Spoken form; on paper pathimūnṛu. You can hear mūṇḍu, 'three', whole inside the number
பதினாலு
padiṉālu
fourteen
Spoken form; on paper pathinānku. Built on the same scheme as nālu, 'four'
பதினைஞ்சு
padiṉaiñcu
fifteen
Spoken form; on paper pathinaintu. 'Fifteen minutes' is the very same quarter of an hour: kāḷ maṇi
பதினாறு
padiṉāṟu
sixteen
pa-di-naa-ru; the ṟ is a rolled r, crisper than the soft r of maram
பதினேழு
padiṉēḻu
seventeen
pa-di-nee-llu; the final sound is the curled-back zh of the word Tamil, not a plain l
பதினெட்டு
padiṉeṭṭu
eighteen
Pattu + eṭṭu. The age of majority on the island goes by the same number
பத்தொம்பது
pattombadu
nineteen
The only teen where 'ten' sounds as patto-, not pathi-. In Jaffna you will also hear pattoṇbadu
இருபது
irubadu
twenty
A new root: not reṇḍu 'two' but iru-. The following tens keep the pattern — muppadu, nāṟpadu
முப்பது
muppadu
thirty
Inside the ten, mūṇḍu 'three' contracts to mup-. Nāṟpadu, 'forty', behaves the same way
நாற்பது
nāṟpadu
forty
naar-pa-du; in fast speech the r is swallowed and you hear naa-pa-du
ஐம்பது
aimbadu
fifty
The stem ai- comes from añcu, 'five'. Half of a hundred is not 'half a hundred' but simply aimbadu
அறுபது
aṟubadu
sixty
a-ru-ba-du; the r of aṟu is rolled
எழுபது
eḻubadu
seventy
e-lu-ba-du; the lu carries the curled-back zh, as in the word Tamil
எண்பது
eṇbadu
eighty
en-ba-du; the n is made with the tongue curled back
தொண்ணூறு
toṇṇūṟu
ninety
ton-nuu-ru; a long nn with the tongue curled back, then a rolled r
நூறு
nūṟu
one hundred
nuu-ru; a rolled r, and the uu is held long
ஆயிரம்
āyiram
one thousand
Two thousand is reṇḍāyiram, fused into one word. 'Thousands of people' in the sense of 'very many' becomes āyirakkaṇakkāṉa
மில்லியன்
milliyaṉ
million
The English million. Tamil counts big money not in millions but in laṭcam, 'a hundred thousand': a million is pattu laṭcam, and that is how people usually say it
சுழி
suḻi
zero
su-li; the li hides the curled-back zh, as in the word Tamil
முதலாவது
mudalāvadu
first
The same word as 'firstly' in a list — the difference is only whether it leans on a noun: 'the first floor', but 'firstly, ...'
ரெண்டாவது
reṇḍāvadu
second
ren-daa-va-du; the nn is made with the tongue curled back
மூண்டாவது
mūṇḍāvadu
third
muun-daa-va-du; a long nn with the tongue curled back
கடைசி
kaḍaisi
final
Not made by the ordinal ending — a separate word. From it come 'the final stop' and 'in the end'
எத்தனை
ettaṉai
how many?
Asks about COUNTING things one by one: how many people? how many days? For what is not counted piecewise — money, water, time — the question is evvaḷavu
ஜோடி
jōḍi
pair
A pair as two things belonging together: 'a pair of slippers'. A couple of people is also joḍi, but there it already means 'the two of them'
பீஸ்
pīs
piece
The English piece as the shop's counting word: 'three pieces, please'. Tamil has no counting word of its own — usually the number stands right before the thing
வீதம்
vīdam
percent
An island word: 'five veedham'. Tamil Nadu says sadaveedham, and in banks and shops you also hear 'percent'
ஒவ்வொரு
ovvoru
every
Demands -um at the end of the whole group: 'every day', 'every person'. Without -um the phrase sounds cut off
யார்
yār
who
The word does not change for number — one asks it about one person and about ten alike. It does take case endings: 'whom', 'to whom', 'with whom'
ஏன்
ēṉ
why
Stands before the verb, not at the front of the sentence. On the island the answer opens with 'because of what said', in Tamil Nadu with 'because of what'
எதுக்கு
edukku
what for
Literally 'for what': the 'to whom' form of 'what'. 'Why' asks about the cause, this one about the purpose — and Tamil holds the difference firmly
எந்த
enda
which
Asks about a choice from the known and always stands before the noun: which bus? which house? About a quality ('what is he like?') one asks with 'how'
யாரின்ர
yāriṉra
whose
yaa-rin-ra; the ṉṟ blends into one movement, as in 'nandri'
ஒருத்தரும் இல்லை
oruttarum illai
no one
Glued together from 'one person', the particle -um and 'not'. The negation is double, and 'not' stands as the last word
ஏதோ
ēdō
something
Both 'something' and 'anything' — Tamil does not split them. Its neighbour 'whatever it may be' is the one for requests: 'eat something, please'
ரெண்டும்
reṇḍum
both
ren-dum; the nn is made with the tongue curled back, as in 'taṇṇi'
தெரியாது
teriyādu
I don't know
Said impersonally — literally 'it is not known', and no 'I' is needed in the answer. The same verb declines a skill: 'swimming is not known to me' means 'I cannot swim'
பாக்கிறன்
pākkiṟaṉ
to see
paak-ki-ran; the ṟ is a rolled r, crisper than the soft r of maram
கேக்கிறன்
kēkkiṟaṉ
to hear
keek-ki-ran; a rolled r, and the t of the bookish form disappears in speech
தூங்குறன்
tūṅguṟaṉ
to sleep
The bookish form loses a syllable in speech. 'I feel sleepy' is said impersonally: literally 'sleep is coming to me'
கொண்டு போறன்
koṇḍu pōṟaṉ
to carry
kon-du poo-ran; the n is made with the tongue curled back
வைக்கிறன்
vaikkiṟaṉ
to place
vaik-ki-ran; the ṟ is a rolled r
உடைக்கிறன்
uḍaikkiṟaṉ
to break
About what flies into pieces: dishes, a branch, a coconut. Machinery in Tamil does not break — it spoils, and that takes a different phrase. What got broken uses the same participle
கட்டுறன்
kaṭṭuṟaṉ
to build
kat-tu-ran; the tt is made with the tongue curled back — that is the only difference from 'I shout'
நிறைய
niṟaiya
a lot of
ni-ray-ya; the ṟ is a rolled r
கொஞ்சம்
koñcam
little (not much)
Both 'little' and 'a bit' without reproach: 'a little salt'. The partner of 'a lot of'. In requests the same word softens: 'speak a little more slowly'
மென்மையான
meṉmaiyāṉa
soft
The ending -āṉa puts the adjective in front of the noun. As a predicate it goes without it. About a person it means 'soft in character', as in English
கெட்டியான
keṭṭiyāṉa
hard
ket-ti-yaa-na; the tt is made with the tongue curled back
ஈரமான
īramāṉa
wet
From 'moisture', the same root as the 'humid' said about the air. To get soaked in the rain is another verb
உலர்ந்த
ularnda
dry
u-lar-nda; the r is short, the tongue does not curl back
மெல்லிய
melliya
thin
About a layer and a thing alike. A thin person is another word; a thick object yet another
ஆழமான
āḻamāṉa
deep
aa-la-maa-na; the la hides the curled-back zh of the word Tamil
வட்டமான
vaṭṭamāṉa
round
vat-ta-maa-na; the tt is made with the tongue curled back
எங்க
eṅga
where to
There is no separate word for 'where to': the same 'where' reads as 'where to' with a motion verb and as 'where' with 'to be'. The fuller form is engē, and Jaffna also says engai
எல்லா இடத்திலயும்
ellā iḍattilayum
everywhere
Literally 'in all the places': 'all' plus 'place' in the location case plus -um. Shorter and bookier is another form
எங்கயும் இல்லை
eṅgayum illai
nowhere at all
Assembled like 'no one': the question word plus -um plus 'not' last. The partner of 'everywhere'
பொருட்கள்
poruṭkaḷ
belongings
po-rut-kal; the final l is retroflex, the tongue curled back
நீளம்
nīḷam
long
nee-lam; the l is retroflex — do not confuse with 'blue', where the l is plain
குட்டை
kuṭṭai
short (in length)
About a thing and about a person of small height — in the second case it sounds hurtful
அகலம்
agalam
wide
Also 'width'. About loose-cut clothes one says 'loose'
இடர்
iḍar
risk
Tell them apart: aapaththu is the trouble already close, idar only its possibility. In speech people use the English 'risk'
மாற்றுத் திட்டம்
māṟṟut tiṭṭam
backup plan
maarru, 'a replacement, an alternative', prefixes everything spare: another way, another medicine, plus the word for 'plan' used also for 'project'
தொல்லை
tollai
a nuisance
Rather 'a bother' than 'a trouble': real suffering is another word, while thollai is what hinders and annoys. Often with 'give': 'stop being a nuisance'
காரணம்
kāraṇam
cause
It walks with the 'to whom' form: 'what is the cause of this?'. In the instrumental it turns into a link word itself: 'because of'
விளைவு
viḷaivu
result
From vilai, 'to be born, to sprout' — an agricultural word: the result 'grows' out of the cause. An exam result is a different word
அதனால
adaṉāla
therefore
Literally 'by that very thing': 'that' in the instrumental ending. It opens the second sentence, and it is one of the few links that behaves like English 'therefore'
ஏனெண்டா
ēṉeṇḍā
as
ee-nen-daa; the nd is retroflex, tongue at the palate
இதன் காரணமா
idaṉ kāraṇamā
because of this
More bookish than the plain 'therefore' and stands in the same place — at the head of the consequence. In speech people say it shorter
அதைப் பொறுத்தது
adaip poṟuttadu
to depend on
Literally 'this holds on that'. What it depends on stands in front of the turn with the object ending, and the turn itself closes the sentence
காரணத்தை விளக்குறன்
kāraṇattai viḷakkuṟaṉ
to explain the cause
vilakku, 'to explain', comes from the same root as the lamp: to explain is to light up, and 'explanation' is its noun
நோக்கம்
nōkkam
aim
From nokku, 'to look towards': an aim is where the look goes. But 'in order to' is built not with this word but with an ending on the verb
அர்த்தம்
arttam
meaning
Both the meaning of a word and the point of an act: 'what is the arththam of this?' fits a dictionary and a quarrel alike. The Tamil porul means the same and, besides, 'a thing'
முடிவுரை
muḍivurai
conclusion
mudivu 'an end' + urai 'speech' — by the same pattern as the lecture word. In talk a conclusion is called simply 'the end word', but that also means 'end' and 'decision', so texts take mudivurai
வாய்ப்பு
vāyppu
chance
This is opportunity as a lucky break: 'a chance came my way'. Ability is not it but the 'I can' verb
இருக்கலாம்
irukkalām
possibly
In English the adverb opens the sentence; in Tamil it is the ending -alaam on the verb right at the end: 'rain possibly will come'. The word for 'maybe' stands well beside it
முடியாது
muḍiyādu
cannot be done
The negation of 'one can', and it stands at the end: 'this cannot be'. On the island the Jaffna 'it will not do' sounds more often
தேவை
tēvai
necessity
A noun and a predicate at once: 'to me there is thevai' means 'I need', while 'it is a thevai' means 'it is a necessity'. The one who needs stands in the 'to whom' form
கட்டாயம்
kaṭṭāyam
mandatory
This is obligation from outside — a rule demands it: 'a seat belt is mandatory'. One's own firm certainty is a different word
நான் செய்யத்தான் வேணும்
nāṉ seyyattāṉ vēṇum
I will have to
There is no separate 'have to': they take the 'must' word and add the intensifier -thaan, 'precisely, no way around it'. The bare verb stem stands in front of it
அனுமதி உண்டு
aṉumadi uṇḍu
permitted
Literally 'permission exists' — on signs it stands exactly so. About a concrete action the -alaam ending is said: 'one may go in'
தடை செய்யப்பட்டது
taḍai seyyappaṭṭadu
prohibited
A real passive: 'do' plus -appadu. In conversation it almost never turns up, but every prohibition sign carries it. Speech says the same with 'must not': 'one must not smoke'
தெரிவு
terivu
choice
An island word: in Sri Lanka a choice is therivu, in Tamil Nadu the exam word is used for it, and there it means 'exam'. Tell them apart by the country, not by the sound
மாற்று வழி
māṟṟu vaḻi
alternative
Literally 'a spare way'. There is no separate word 'option': where English counts options, Tamil counts ways — 'there are two ways'
சந்தேகம்
sandēgam
doubt
Doubt, suspicion and a pupil's question at once: at a lesson 'I have a sandegam' means 'I have a question'. English splits this into three words; Tamil manages with one
சந்தேகப்படுறன்
sandēgappaḍuṟaṉ
to doubt
The doubt word plus padu, 'to undergo' — this is how Tamil makes verbs of feelings: 'I am afraid', 'I am angry'. What one doubts takes the 'in' ending
உறுதியா இருக்கிறன்
uṟudiyā irukkiṟaṉ
to be sure
There is no adjective — there is the adverb 'firmly' plus 'to be'. What one is sure of goes in front with the particle eṇḍu: 'that he will come, I am firm'
இருக்காது போல
irukkādu pōla
not likely
English puts 'not likely' in front; the Tamil turn stands at the very end: 'he will not come, as it were'. The 'as it were' softens the negation into a guess
இருக்கும்
irukkum
probably
Here it is not an adverb but the verb ending -um set at the end: 'the shop is open, probably'. About a person it will be another ending. The row runs: possibly, probably, not likely
கண்டிப்பா
kaṇḍippā
for sure
One's own firmness, not the rule's: a candidate promises 'I will come for sure'. Outer obligation is the mandatory word, and 'of course' in talk is another adverb
எனக்கு தோணுது
eṉakku tōṇudu
it seems to me
Impersonal: not 'I think' but 'it appears to me'. The thought is placed in front with the particle eṇḍu: 'that he is right, it seems to me'
உண்மையில
uṇmaiyila
in fact
The truth word with the place ending — 'in the truth'. It opens the sentence, as in English, and often introduces a correction to what was said
ஊகிக்கிறன்
ūgikkiṟaṉ
to assume
A bookish word, for calculations and guesses. In conversation an assumption is put with the -alaam ending or with 'it seems to me'
எனக்கு நிச்சயமா தெரியாது
eṉakku niccayamā teriyādu
I am not sure
Literally 'to me it is not known for certain'. Tamil prefers to speak of knowing rather than of a feeling of certainty, and polite disagreement often hides right here
அனுபவம்
aṉubavam
experience
Both a record of service and what one has lived through: work experience, a bitter experience. Experience as an experiment is a different word
சந்தர்ப்பம்
sandarppam
occasion
English 'case' splits into three in Tamil: sandharppam is a favourable occasion and a circumstance, another word is an incident, and 'in case' is just an ending on the verb
உதாரணம்
udāraṇam
example
An example in an explanation and a model to follow — one word. An example from the textbook, an exercise, is the practice word
உதாரணமா
udāraṇamā
for instance
The same word plus the -aa ending that makes an adverb. It opens the piece it introduces: 'for instance, in Jaffna...'
வித்தியாசம்
vittiyāsam
difference
Between what and what — both nouns take the 'to whom' form plus -um: 'what is the difference between this and that?'. A difference in money is 'the remainder', another word
ஒப்பீடு
oppīḍu
comparison
The action noun of 'to compare'. In live speech a comparison is almost always put not as a noun but with the 'than' turn, -ai vida
வேறுபடுது
vēṟubaḍudu
to differ
The form is third person about a thing — 'it differs': about oneself it is said rarely. The 'other' word plus padu: 'becomes other'. From what — with 'from' plus the place ending
ஒரே மாதிரியான
orē mādiriyāṉa
similar
maadhiri, 'in the manner of', stands after what is resembled. To get an attribute before a noun, -aana is added
ஒற்றுமை
oṟṟumai
resemblance
ot-ru-mai; the ṟṟ is 'tr' in the literary norm and 'tt' in colloquial speech
மாற்றம்
māṟṟam
change
From maaru, 'to change' — the same root as in the moving-house word, literally 'a change of dwelling'. Small change is another word entirely
முதலாவது
mudalāvadu
firstly
The ordinal from 'first'. It opens the item, as in English — a rare case when the link lives as a separate word and does not hang on the verb
இரண்டாவது
iraṇḍāvadu
secondly
The bookish 'two' plus -aavathu. Counting aloud takes the spoken 'two', but in a list of thoughts the bookish form stands
எல்லாத்துக்கும் முதல்ல
ellāttukkum mudalla
first of all
Literally 'before everything': the -um particle here is the same as in the superlative turn. It stands at the head of the sentence
அத்தோட மட்டுமில்லாம
attōḍa maṭṭumillāma
besides that
Literally 'not only with this'. It opens the added piece. Shorter and more common is the plain 'and besides'
அது சரி
adu sari
by the way
Literally 'that is true', but it works as a turn of the talk: 'by the way, and so...'. It stands at the very start of the remark, and a question usually follows
மொத்தத்தில
mottattila
all in all
mottam, 'the total, everything together', with the place ending — 'in the sum of it'. It draws the line under what was said and opens the last sentence
சுருக்கமா சொன்னா
surukkamā soṉṉā
to put it briefly
Literally 'if said briefly' — the very conditional ending -naa. Tamil introduces caveats with a condition, not with a participle
வேற வார்த்தையில சொன்னா
vēṟa vārttaiyila soṉṉā
in other words
Again the conditional -naa: 'if said in another word'. Note the singular — 'in another word', not 'words'
முக்கியமானது
mukkiyamāṉadu
the main thing
mukkiyam, 'importance', plus -aanathu, which turns an attribute into a noun: 'that which is important'. This is how Tamil generally makes nouns like 'the main thing'
கடைசியில
kaḍaisiyila
eventually
The 'last' word with the place ending. It serves both 'in the end' about a conclusion and 'eventually' about an event; it stands at the front
எண்டாலும்
eṇḍālum
although
The Jaffna form of the bookish 'even if'. The main difference from English: the word stands not before the concession but after it, closing the first part — 'the price is high, although, I am buying'
அதுக்கு ஈடா
adukku īḍā
but then
Tamil has no exact 'but then': eedu means 'an equal weight, a recompense', and the turn comes out 'in recompense for that'. More often the same thought is put through plain 'but' with a pleased intonation
மாறாக
māṟāga
on the contrary
From maaru, 'to change': 'having changed'. It opens the second part. The spoken 'the other way round' about a state of things is another word — 'upside down'
இருந்தபோதிலும்
irundabōdilum
despite
Literally 'even at the time when it was'. English 'despite' demands a noun after itself; the Tamil stands after a whole clause and hangs on the verb
எனினும்
eṉiṉum
however
A bookish word, like English 'however': it lives in the newspaper and the report. In conversation 'but' stands in its place
ஒரு பக்கம்
oru pakkam
on the one hand
pakkam is 'a side, a flank, a page'. The turn opens the first half of a reasoning and almost always demands its partner on the other side
மறுபக்கம்
maṟubakkam
on the other hand
maru- 'the other, the repeated' — the same prefix as in the retake and the refusal words. It opens the second half
அப்பிடி இருந்தும்
appiḍi irundum
nevertheless
Literally 'and even though it was so'. It opens the second part — unlike the longer word, which closes the first
அதுக்கு பதிலா
adukku padilā
instead of that
pathil means both 'an answer' and 'a replacement': what comes instead. What is replaced stands before the turn with the 'to whom' form: 'instead of the car'
எப்பிடியும்
eppiḍiyum
anyway
This is 'anyway' about one's own stubbornness: 'one way or another I will do it'. The other English 'anyway', about indifference, is quite different in Tamil
தற்செயலா
taṟceyalā
by chance
tar-chai-yaa-laa; the rc is read as one cluster across the syllable break
வேணுமெண்டே
vēṇumeṇḍē
deliberately
The Jaffna form; Tamil Nadu says another one. Inside sit the 'must' word and the quoting particle 'having said': 'having said to oneself that one must', that is, deliberately
தோல்வி
tōlvi
failure
A failure, a lost game and a defeat at the polls. Victory sits next door — the success word
படிப்படியா
paḍippaḍiyā
step by step
padi is 'a stair step', doubled: from step to step. The same padi sits in the staircase word
செய்முறை
seymuṟai
the order of steps
sey, 'to do', + murai, 'an order, a manner'. The same word names a recipe in a cookbook
விரிவா
virivā
in detail
From viri, 'to unfold, to spread out'. Its opposite is 'in short'
சொந்த வார்த்தையில
sonda vārttaiyila
in your own words
sondha, 'one's own' — the same word as in 'my home town'. Do not mix it up with the 'to put it another way' turn
சுலபமா சொன்னா
sulabamā soṉṉā
simply put
Literally 'if said simply' — Tamil builds such openers with the conditional ending, like 'in short'
ஒரு உதாரணம் சொல்லு
oru udāraṇam sollu
give an example
The 'you' form: to one's own, to a younger one. Politely it takes the -unga tail
எப்படி செய்யிறதெண்டு காட்டு
eppaḍi seyyiṟadeṇḍu kāṭṭu
show how it is done
endu is the Jaffna form of the bookish quoting particle: it sews the clause 'how it is done' straight into the verb
புரியுதா?
puriyudā?
is that clear?
Literally 'is it being understood?'. Understanding in Tamil is always impersonal: the subject is the thing itself, and the person stands in the 'to whom' form
இப்ப புரியுது
ippa puriyudu
now it is clear
The answer to puriyudhaa?, 'is that clear?'. Its negation is 'I do not understand'
எனக்கு குழப்பம்
eṉakku kuḻappam
I am confused
Literally 'I have a tangle': the same impersonal turn as with feelings. Fuller: 'I am in a muddle'
ஞாபகம் வருது
ñābagam varudu
to come to mind
Literally 'the memory comes': one does not remember in Tamil, it gets remembered. To recall on purpose is another turn
மறந்திட்டன்
maṟandiṭṭaṉ
to have forgotten
But forgetting is done by the person: the -itten tail shows the deed is done and cannot be undone
எண்ணம்
eṇṇam
intention
From ennu, 'to think, to reckon'. Both an intention and a thought in general: 'my intention is, that...'
மனசு மாறிட்டுது
maṉasu māṟiṭṭudu
to change one's mind
Literally 'the heart has changed': here too Tamil makes the manasu, not the person, the subject
எல்லாம் திட்டப்படி
ellām tiṭṭappaḍi
everything is going to plan
-padi means 'according to': 'as said', 'by the rules'. Here: everything goes according to the plan
முடிஞ்சா
muḍiñcā
if it works out
The conditional -naa form of the 'can, finish' verb. One word where English takes three
இன்னும் முடிவு செய்யேல்லை
iṉṉum muḍivu seyyēllai
I have not decided yet
innum with a negation gives 'not yet'. The -alai at the end of the verb is the negation of the past
எல்லாம் மாறிட்டுது
ellām māṟiṭṭudu
everything has changed
Again the intransitive: it changed by itself, no one changed it. Someone changed it all — that takes the other verb
நல்லதுக்குத்தான்
nalladukkuttāṉ
for the better
Literally 'precisely to the good': the good word, the 'to whom' form and the intensifier. A consolation heard on the island every day
கெட்டதுக்குத்தான்
keṭṭadukkuttāṉ
for the worse
The mirror of nalladhukkuththaan, 'for the better': the bad word in the 'to whom' form. Said more rarely — the omen does not allow it
சொந்தமானது
sondamāṉadu
belong
Literally 'it has become one's own'. The owner stands in the 'to whom' form: 'this is to me own'
பிறருடைய
piṟaruḍaiya
someone else's
Literally 'belonging to others'. A stranger in the sense of 'unknown' is a different phrase — this one is about ownership
பொது
podu
shared
'Shared' and 'public' in one: a public toilet and common property use the same podhu
தள்ளுறன்
taḷḷuṟaṉ
push
The same root as in the shop trolley — 'the pushing cart'. To shove a person with a shoulder is a different verb
இழுக்கிறன்
iḻukkiṟaṉ
pull
The pair to 'push'. Office doors are labeled with exactly these two
அடிக்கிறன்
aḍikkiṟaṉ
hit
A wide verb: it hits a ball and a person, and 'the wind blows' with it too
மீற்றர்
mīṟṟar
meter
meet-tar; in this loanword the ṟṟ renders the English t and sounds 'tt'
சென்ரிமீற்றர்
seṉrimīṟṟar
centimeter
The English 'ti' is written on the island through ri — as in 'ticket'. The mainland spelling differs
கிலோமீற்றர்
kilōmīṟṟar
kilometer
Kilo alone means 'kilogram' — on the scales and on the road it is one word; the second half decides
லீற்றர்
līṟṟar
liter
leet-tar; the ṟṟ is the English t, 'tt', as in 'meter'
கிராம்
kirām
gram
One vowel apart from 'village'. At the market you hear kilo and half a kilo; grams measure spices and gold
எடை
eḍai
weight
The weight of any thing and of a person is one word. 'To gain weight' is said through it too
நீளம்
nīḷam
length
nee-lam; the l is the curled-back kind — do not mix it up with 'blue'
அகலம்
agalam
width
The same pair as length: agalam also means 'wide', here it is the measure. In front of a noun it grows -aana
உயரம்
uyaram
height
The height of a wall, a person's stature and 'tall' are all this word. People ask 'how much height'
ஆழம்
āḻam
depth
aa-zham; the zh is the Tamil curled sound, with the tip of the tongue bent back
ஏறத்தாழ
ēṟattāḻa
roughly
e-rat-taa-la; the r is rolled and the la is curled — two different sounds in one word
கிட்டத்தட்ட
kiṭṭattaṭṭa
almost
Literally 'close-close'. Fits a number and an action alike: 'almost finished'
சரியா
sariyā
exactly
The same word as 'correct': in front of a number it means 'just so many, no more'. 'Exactly at two' keeps it
சராசரியா
sarāsariyā
on average
From saraasari, 'the average'. The -aa tail turns a noun into an adverb — the same trick as in 'slowly'
ரெண்டு மடங்கு
reṇḍu maḍaṅgu
twice as much
Madangu is 'times' in multiplying, not in repeating: repeats are counted with tharam
இலக்கம்
ilakkam
digit
A digit, a house number and a phone number in one. A number as quantity is a different word; an amount of money is the 'amount' word
கால் பங்கு
kāl paṅgu
quarter
Kaal by itself is 'leg', but in counting it is 'a quarter': 'quarter kilo'. Pangu, 'share', is added so nobody confuses it
எடை பாக்கிறன்
eḍai pākkiṟaṉ
weigh
Literally 'I look at the weight'. There is no verb 'to weigh' of its own; the scales are tharaasu
கூடுதலான
kūḍudalāṉa
spare
Literally 'added on'. A person who is not needed is not called this — people say 'not needed'
காலி
kāli
empty
An empty bottle, a free slot and 'it ran out' in one: kaaliyaagittudhu means 'it ran out'
தவிர்க்கிறன்
tavirkkiṟaṉ
avoid
Same root as 'except', which follows its noun. Avoiding a person is said differently: 'I stay without seeing him'
நிஜம்
nijam
fact
What actually happened. Unmai, 'truth', is about the speaker's honesty; nijam is about the state of things
கேள்வி
kēḷvi
question
keel-vi; the l is the curled-back kind
முக்கியமான
mukkiyamāṉa
important
Before a noun it takes -aana; alone it drops it: 'this is important'
நேர்மறையான
nērmaṟaiyāṉa
positive
The word of answers, analyses and reviews. 'A good person' is not said this way — people say 'a good soul'
எதிர்மறையான
edirmaṟaiyāṉa
negative
The mirror of positive: 'against' in place of 'straight'. A negative test result is the same pair
ஓட ஒப்பிட்டா
ōḍa oppiṭṭā
compared to
It follows what you compare with: 'compared to last year'. For two things the shorter 'than' is easier
அதே மாதிரி
adē mādiri
the same kind
Adhe is 'that very one'. Next to it stands 'similar': adhe means 'exactly that one', the other means 'alike to each other'
சாதகம்
sādagam
advantage
The pair to 'drawback': the saadagam is what is for, the paadagam is what is against. They are always named together
பாதகம்
pādagam
drawback
A drawback of a design, not of a character: in a person that is 'a fault'. The pair sounds like 'pros and cons'
பின்விளைவுகள்
piṉviḷaivugaḷ
consequences
Literally 'after-results'. Vilaivu alone is a result in general; the 'after-' makes it what shows up later
கணக்கில எடுக்கிறன்
kaṇakkila eḍukkiṟaṉ
take into account
Literally 'I take into the count'. Kanakku is a bank account, arithmetic and accounting in one
பெரும்பாலும்
perumbālum
most likely
Literally 'in the biggest part': both 'most likely' and 'mostly'. The word for 'majority' shares the root
உறுதியா
uṟudiyā
certainly
The speaker's certainty. Around it crowd 'of course', 'definitely' and 'obligatorily' — English draws finer lines here than Tamil does
சாத்தியம்
sāttiyam
likelihood
'Chance' is for an opportunity that may turn up; this word is about how possible a thing is at all
ஊகம்
ūgam
supposition
A guess without proof. In speech people say it longer: 'that is just what I think'
போல இருக்கு
pōla irukku
it looks like
It stands at the end of the phrase, not the start: 'rain seems to be coming'. A Tamil guess always arrives last
இருக்க வேணும்
irukka vēṇum
must be
The same venum that means 'need', but after a participle it is not a debt any more, a conclusion: 'he must have left'
இருக்கவே ஏலாது
irukkavē ēlādu
it cannot be
Elaadu is the Jaffna 'cannot, no way' in place of the mainland verb. The particle -e adds force: 'no way at all'
குறைஞ்சது
kuṟaiñcadu
at least
Literally 'the lessened one', that is 'the smallest amount'. It stands before the number: 'at least ten people'
எப்பிடி இருந்தாலும்
eppiḍi irundālum
in any case
Literally 'however it may be'. Next to it stands 'all the same' — the same word, shorter and a touch more careless
எதுக்கும்
edukkum
just in case
Literally 'for anything at all': 'for what' plus the -um tail. This is how the island says 'in reserve, if it should come to it'. Oru vēḷaikku is something else: 'for one time, for one meal'
அப்பிடி இருந்திருந்தா
appiḍi irundirundā
if it had been
A doubled past plus -aa means 'if it had been — and it was not'. The answer then takes 'would have': 'I would have come'
எண்ட நிபந்தனையில
eṇḍa nibandaṉaiyila
on condition
'Condition' alone is a clause of a contract; here the same word with the place ending ties two halves of the phrase
எண்டாலும் கூட
eṇḍālum kūḍa
even if
'Although' alone is endaalum; kooda, 'even', pushes it to 'even if'. It follows the clause, it does not open it
அப்பிடி எண்டா
appiḍi eṇḍā
in that case
Literally 'if so'. The turn leans on what the other person said and opens the conclusion from it
இல்லாட்டி
illāṭṭi
otherwise
A Jaffna word; across the strait people say the longer one. It means 'if not' and opens the second half
அப்ப
appa
then
ap-pa with a short a at the end; appa with the long vowel means dad
றதுக்காக
ṟadukkāga
so as to
ra-duk-kaa-ga; the opening r is rolled — a sound a Tamil word does not begin with by itself
மாதிரி
mādiri
as if
It follows what is compared: 'sleeping as if'. In the pair with 'that very one' it means 'the same kind'
அதுக்குப் பதிலா
adukkup padilā
instead
Pathil is 'answer' and 'replacement' in one. Before a noun the turn means simply 'instead of': 'instead of money'
பிரதானமா
pradāṉamā
mainly
From piradhaanam, 'the main thing' — a frequent word on the island. The mainland more often says the other adverb
வழக்கமா
vaḻakkamā
as a rule
From vazhakkam, 'custom'. Next to it stands 'usually': this one is about an established order, that one about frequency
கிட்டத்தட்ட எல்லாரும்
kiṭṭattaṭṭa ellārum
almost everyone
Ellaarum is only about people. About things people say the other 'almost everything'
விதிவிலக்கு
vidivilakku
exception
Literally 'a lifting out of the rule'. Do not mix up with 'lamp': there a curled l, here a plain one
அது இது எண்டு
adu idu eṇḍu
and so on
Literally 'that, this and such'. The bookish phrase stands in written lists; in speech people finish with this turn
அதுக்கு மாறா
adukku māṟā
unlike
Maaru is 'to turn against'. What you differ from stands in the 'to whom' form: 'unlike last year'
தவிர
tavira
except
It follows the noun, it does not precede: 'except him'. Next to it stands 'besides' — a different turn, for adding
முழுக்க இல்லை
muḻukka illai
not quite
mu-zhuk-ka il-lai; the zh is the curled sound
ஓரளவுக்கு
ōraḷavukku
more or less
oo-ra-la-vuk-ku; the la is the curled-back kind
கஷ்டப்பட்டு
kaṣṭappaṭṭu
laboriously
Literally 'having suffered'. There is no adverb of its own: Tamil sets the participle of 'to suffer'
ஒரு தரம் பாக்கலாம்
oru taram pākkalām
worth a try
Literally 'one may look once'. The -laam tail is the plain 'may', but here it sounds like a gentle piece of advice
இருக்க வேண்டியது
irukka vēṇḍiyadu
should have
Regret over the undone: 'I should have said'. One ending apart from 'must be'
எல்லாத்திலயும் நல்லது
ellāttilayum nalladu
best of all
Literally 'in everything, the good'. Tamil has no superlative form: it is assembled from 'everything' plus the trait
எல்லாத்திலயும் மோசம்
ellāttilayum mōsam
worst of all
The pair to 'best of all': mosam, 'the bad, the vile'. There is the same through 'than': 'worse than everything' means the same
முடிஞ்சளவு சீக்கிரம்
muḍiñcaḷavu sīkkiram
as fast as possible
Literally 'as fast as it can be done'. The same build gives 'as early as possible'
வீணா
vīṇā
in vain
vii-naa; the n is made with the tongue curled back
சமாளிக்கிறன்
samāḷikkiṟaṉ
cope
sa-maa-lik-ki-ran; the la is the curled-back kind
முயற்சி
muyaṟci
attempt
An attempt and an effort in one. The verb is made with sey: muyaṟci seyyuṅgō, 'make an attempt' — that is 'try'
அதாவது
adāvadu
that is
Next to it stands the long, bookish 'to put it another way' turn; this one is short and heard every day
எண்டு தெரிஞ்சுது
eṇḍu teriñcudu
it turned out
Literally 'it became known that'. There is no subject — the Tamil impersonal, like 'they say'
அதன் விளைவா
adaṉ viḷaivā
as a result
Literally 'as the result of this'. Next to it stand 'result' and 'therefore'; this turn is between them in weight
ஏற்படுத்துது
ēṟpaḍuttudu
lead to
Literally 'it produces, it causes'. What it leads to stands before the verb with the object ending
காரணமா
kāraṇamā
thanks to
kaa-ra-na-maa; the n is made with the tongue curled back
முதல் தரத்திலயே
mudal tarattilayē
on the first try
Tharam is 'a time' in repeating. The particle -e at the end means 'already, from that very one'
இருநூறு
irunūṟu
two hundred
Iru- 'two' + nūṟu 'hundred'. Before a hundred the numeral takes its short bookish stem, not the spoken reṇḍu
முந்நூறு
munnūṟu
three hundred
mun-nuu-ru; the n before nuu is held long, and the letter n you see disappears in speech
நானூறு
nāṉūṟu
four hundred
Nālu 'four' gives up its stem nā-. The only hundred where almost the whole numeral survives
ஐந்நூறு
ainnūṟu
five hundred
ain-nuu-ru; in lively speech closer to ain-nyuu-ru, the n softening before nuu
அறுநூறு
aṟunūṟu
six hundred
Āṟu 'six' shortens to aṟu- — the same stem as in aṟubadu, 'sixty'
எழுநூறு
eḻunūṟu
seven hundred
e-lu-nuu-ru; inside the lu hides the curled zh, the sound the language is named by
எண்ணூறு
eṇṇūṟu
eight hundred
en-nuu-ru; a long nn with the tongue curled back
தொள்ளாயிரம்
toḷḷāyiram
nine hundred
tol-laa-yi-ram; the ḷ is a dark l made with the tongue curled back, not the plain l
நாலாவது
nālāvadu
fourth
The spoken nālu, 'four', plus -āvadu. The same suffix built reṇḍāvadu and mūṇḍāvadu, the second and the third
அஞ்சாவது
añcāvadu
fifth
Añcu, 'five', drops its -u before -āvadu. The ordinal stands before the noun and never changes for gender or case
ஆறாவது
āṟāvadu
sixth
Āṟu, 'six', plus -āvadu; the long ā at the start survives. The word for 'river' stands right next to it — only the sense of the sentence tells them apart
ஏழாவது
ēḻāvadu
seventh
ee-laa-va-du; the l hides the curled zh of Tamil, not a plain l
எட்டாவது
eṭṭāvadu
eighth
Eṭṭu, 'eight', plus -āvadu; the doubled ṭṭ stays, unlike in eṇṇūṟu, 'eight hundred'
ஒம்பதாவது
ombadāvadu
ninth
Ombadu, 'nine', plus -āvadu. The spoken ombadu is what sounds in the ordinal, not the bookish oṉbadu
பத்தாவது
pattāvadu
tenth
Pattu, 'ten', plus -āvadu. In set phrases the ordinal takes another form, in -ām: pattām vakuppu, 'the tenth grade'
நூறாவது
nūṟāvadu
hundredth
Nūṟu, 'hundred', plus -āvadu. A centenary is called nūṟāvadu nāḷ viḻā, 'the feast of the hundredth day'
அல்லது
alladu
or
The bookish one. In speech people more often just list with a pause, or glue -ā onto both words
கூட
kūḍa
also
Stands after what it refers to: nānum kūḍa, 'I too'. The tail -um reinforces it
மட்டும்
maṭṭum
only
Follows the word it limits, just like 'also' does — the order is the mirror image of English
ஏற்கனவே
ēṟkaṉavē
already
A long bookish word. In speech people usually manage with the past tense alone and drop it
இன்னும்
iṉṉum
still
Covers both 'still' about time and 'one more': innum oru, 'yet one'. The distinction English makes, Tamil does not
மிகவும் அதிகம்
migavum adigam
too much
Migavum is 'very', adigam is 'much'. Migavum alone means simply 'very'; Tamil Nadu speech says romba in its place
சேர்ந்து
sērndu
together
The first-action form of sēru, 'to join': literally 'having joined'
கூடாது
kūḍādu
not allowed
Follows the verb: pōga kūḍādhu, 'to go is not allowed'. The prohibition comes after the action, the mirror of English
வேணும்
vēṇum
must
The same word as 'want': Tamil does not split necessity from desire — what you must do, you 'want'
வாழ்க்கை
vāḻkkai
life
From vāḻ, 'to live'. It packs both Tamil signatures: the special ḻ and the doubled kk
வேணும் (விரும்புறன்)
vēṇum (virumbuṟaṉ)
to want
Vēṇum is the spoken one with the one who wants in the 'to whom' form; virumbuṟaṉ is the bookish one with an ordinary subject
முடியும்
muḍiyum
can
The subject stands in the 'to whom' form: eṉakku muḍiyum, 'it is possible for me'. The negative is muḍiyādhu
வார்த்தை
vārttai
word
Also 'a promise, one's word': 'to give one's word' uses the same noun, as in English
விஷயம்
viṣayam
matter
A Sanskrit loan. 'What is the matter?' asks with it. The native kāriyam is alive too
வழி
vaḻi
method
A trap: the same word means 'way, road'. Method and road share one Tamil word
சுலபமா
sulabamā
easily
From 'light, easy', with the same tail -ā. That is how all adverbs are made
கஷ்டமா
kaṣṭamā
with difficulty
From 'hardship'. The partner of 'easily', assembled the same way
-றதுக்கு
-ṟadukku
in order to
No free-standing word exists: purpose rides on the verb's tail. -ṟadu turns the action into a thing, -kku points it at a goal: vāṅgiṟadukku, literally 'for the buying'
எண்டால்
eṇḍāl
if
In simple sentences 'if' is an ending too, as in muḍiñcā, 'if it works out'. As a separate word it lives in the Jaffna eṇḍāl, 'if so'; Tamil Nadu says eṉṟāl
-ஏக்க
-ēkka
while
The Jaffna ending of simultaneity, straight on the verb stem: vēlai seyyēkka, 'while I work'. The bookish form is -kiṟa pōtu. Careful: vārkkum means 'until' — a limit, not simultaneity
எண்டபடியால்
eṇḍapaḍiyāl
since
Literally 'by what was said': eṇḍa, 'that' + paḍiyāl, 'by the measure of'. Ēṉṉā, 'because', stands before the cause; this one follows it, so it lands as 'since that is how it is'
மட்டும் போதும்
maṭṭum pōdum
as long as
Maṭṭum is 'only' and pōdum is 'enough'; together they make 'as long as'. The pair closes the clause rather than opening it: vandā maṭṭum pōdum
அதால
adāla
so
Literally 'by that': adu, 'that' + the cause ending -āl. Ēṉṉā, 'because', stands before the cause; adāla stands before the consequence
இடையில
iḍaiyila
between
Naṭuvil is 'in the middle' of one thing. Iḍaiyil is between two named things, and both take the 'to whom' form plus -um: 'to-the-house and to-the-shop between'
பக்கத்தில
pakkattila
near
It comes after the noun: what it is near stands before it in the 'to whom' form — vīṭṭukkup pakkattil. In Jaffna the same idea is said shorter, vīṭṭukku kiṭṭa
பதிலா
padilā
instead of
Adhukkup padilā is 'instead of this'. Padil means both 'answer' and 'replacement' — the thing that takes another's place. The replaced one stands in the 'to whom' form: eṉakkup padilā
எதிர்த்து
edirttu
against
Edirā is 'towards' and edirē is 'opposite': the root edir covers place and opposition alike. Edirttu is only hostility — the side you play, argue or vote against
இல்லாம
illāma
without
Not a preposition but a tail: it comes after the missing thing, as in iraicci illāma, 'without meat', and paṉikkaṭṭi illāma, 'without ice'. The bookish form is illāmal
-க்காக
-kkāga
for
No separate word: 'for' glues onto the 'to whom' form. Uṉakku plus -āga gives uṉakkāga, 'for you'; piḷḷaikkāga, 'for the child'. The books write the same thing, only longer and in two pieces
பற்றி
paṟṟi
about
It comes after the noun: what it is about stands before it with the object ending — avaraippaṟṟi. In fast speech it wears down to -ppatti
பிறகு
piṟagu
after
Adhukkupiṟagu is 'after that'. Before it stands either a 'to whom' form or a past participle: sāppiṭṭa piṟagu, 'after having eaten'
நேரத்தில
nērattila
during
Nēram is 'time'. In live speech the same job is done by the ending -ēkka: sāppiṭēkka, 'while eating'. Nērattil is for when a noun, not a verb, follows
-ஆல
-āla
because of
Kāraṇamā is 'thanks to'. The hindrance is marked by an ending instead of a word: maḻaiyāla, 'because of the rain'. Tamil keeps no separate preposition here
சுத்தி
sutti
around
Sutti vāṟaṉ is 'to go around'. Standing after the noun, sutti follows the object ending: vīṭṭaic cutti, 'around the house'. The bookish twin is suṟṟi
வழியா
vaḻiyā
through
Vaḻi is 'way' and ūḍā is 'across'. Vaḻiyā is for passing along a street, a town, a go-between. About time one says it differently: 'in an hour', not 'through an hour'
உள்ளுக்க இருந்து
uḷḷukka irundu
from inside
Uḷḷukka is 'inwards', and tūrattil irundu is 'from afar': irundu always marks the starting point. No single word for 'from inside' exists — place plus this tail assemble it
கிட்டடியில
kiṭṭaḍiyila
nearby
A Jaffna word from kiṭṭa, 'close': kiṭṭaḍi is the neighbourhood around you. The bookish arukil sits in announcements; in the street one asks 'is there a shop nearby?'
நல்லா
nallā
well
Nalla is 'good', the adjective before a noun. The long ā at the end turns it into an adverb for verbs — the same move as in sattamā, kavaṉamā
கனக்க
kaṉakka
very
A Jaffna word, common in island speech. Tamil Nadu says romba in its place, as in the pattern romba adhigam, 'too much'. Kaṉakka comes from kaṉam, 'weight': strongly means heavily
பிரச்சினை
piracciṉai
problem
The first word that sounds when something has gone wrong: about a breakdown, a quarrel or money alike. Next to it, 'hardship' is the kind one endures, while a problem is the kind one solves
பார்க்கிறன்
pārkkiṟaṉ
to watch
The Jaffna shortened 'to see' names what falls into the eyes on its own. One root, but the full form stands where one looks on purpose: a film, a book, out of the window
பாவிக்கிறன்
pāvikkiṟaṉ
to use
The Lankan word: Tamil Nadu says two other verbs, but on the island, in the shop and at home alike, it is this one. It fits things and languages alike: 'I use Tamil'
வரும்
varum
to know how
Spelled exactly like 'it will come', and not by chance: a skill in Tamil arrives to a person rather than belonging to them. The owner of the skill stands in the 'to whom' form, the deed before the verb in the infinitive. Next to 'can' and 'to know', this is the skill one has built up
தொடுறன்
toḍuṟaṉ
to touch
A brief touch with the hand: to check whether it is hot, or to tap a shoulder. In a temple and before elders the word carries weight — the elder's feet are touched as a sign of respect, with the same verb. The prohibition is 'do not touch'
வாழுறன்
vāḻuṟaṉ
to live
From the same root as 'life'. This is to live a life somewhere or somehow; about merely residing at an address one says 'to be'
இருக்கு
irukku
there is
The partner of 'to be' in the 'I' form. This is the form for things, and with it Tamil says 'there is, there exists': the place in the location case, the thing simply beside it. The negation is the plain 'not'
மோசம்
mōsam
badly
The partner of nallā, 'well'. About how one feels people more often say the longer 'nallā illa', 'not well'
-உம்
-um
and
Spoken Tamil has no free-standing 'and': the tail goes onto BOTH joined words — ṭīyum kōppiyum, tea and coffee. The bookish maṟṟum never sounds in speech
ஆனா
āṉā
but
The spoken form; on paper the same is ānāl. It opens the second clause rather than sitting between words

Download the word set (CSV) · Open the printable sheet

The CSV contains spelling, reading guides, translations and links to word pages. Use the browser menu to save the printable sheet as a PDF.

How it sounds in a sentence

A word list is a blank. Conversation is made of sentences, and these are the ones the words fit into most often.

What is worth knowing about these words

நல்ல (nalla) — good. Stands only in front of a noun: nalla aḷ, a good person. To say 'he is good' you need a different form, nallavar.

ஓம் (ōm) — yes. In conversation people often skip it and repeat the verb instead: 'Are you going?' — 'Going'.

இல்லை (illai) — no. Also the all-purpose negator: after a verb it stands last — Tamil says 'I come not' for 'I am not coming'.

பெரிய (periya) — big. Only before a noun. 'It is big' switches to perisu: itu perisu. The same word names the elder of a family: periyappā, 'father's elder brother'.

Test yourself

First by ear — the way you will meet the word in conversation. Click the speaker and pick the translation.

What is this word?
It is நல்ல (nalla) — good.
What is this word?
It is இல்லை (illai) — no.
What is this word?
It is சின்ன (siṉṉa) — small.
What is this word?
It is அரை (arai) — half.
What is this word?
It is போதும் (pōdum) — enough.

Now the other way around: recall the spelling from the meaning. That is harder, and therefore more useful.

How do you say “good” in Tamil?
Stands only in front of a noun: nalla aḷ, a good person. To say 'he is good' you need a different form, nallavar
How do you say “no” in Tamil?
Also the all-purpose negator: after a verb it stands last — Tamil says 'I come not' for 'I am not coming'
How do you say “small” in Tamil?
The partner of periya, with the same rule: before a noun ciṉṉa, on its own ciṉṉatu. Also 'younger': ciṉṉammā, 'mother's younger sister'
How do you say “half” in Tamil?
Stands before the word: 'half kilo', 'half hour'
How do you say “enough” in Tamil?
This is what stops the pouring or the serving: 'enough, enough'

How to learn the set instead of just reading it

Yes, no, good, bad, very. The small change of a language — and no sentence assembles without it.

A list is read in a minute and forgotten in a day. What works: hide the translation, try to recall, get it wrong — and come back to the same words tomorrow.

Recalling beats re-reading. Covering the translation and trying to remember it does more than reading it ten more times.checked many times
Adesope, Trevisan & Sundararajan, 2017, Review of Educational Research 87(3) · 188 experiments, 272 comparisons. g = 0.61; against plain re-reading 0.51, against passive review 0.93.
Study spread over days wins not only in experiments but in ordinary classrooms, with real students.checked many times
Mawson & Kang, 2025, Behavioral Sciences 15(6):771 · 22 studies, d = 0.54 (confidence interval 0.31–0.77). The authors warn that individual studies disagree widely.

Frequently asked

How do you say “good” in Tamil?

«நல்ல» (nalla), read “nalla”. Stands only in front of a noun: nalla aḷ, a good person. To say 'he is good' you need a different form, nallavar. It is one of 315 words in the set “basic words” — the rest are in the table above.

How many basic words do you need to start?

The whole set on this page is 315 words, but there is no need to start with all of it: the words you will need in the next few days are enough. Take them a few at a time — five to seven new ones per session.

Is there audio?

Yes, 315 words on this page can be played — click the speaker next to the word. The sound works on any phone, and nothing needs to be installed.

Basic words in Tamil

315 words on the topic

How it sounds in a sentence

What is worth knowing about these words

Test yourself

How to learn the set instead of just reading it

Frequently asked

How do you say “good” in Tamil?

How many basic words do you need to start?

Is there audio?

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