◄Previous: 2.1 The sound of Tamil

# 3 Tamil greetings

Unlike many other languages where there are multiple ways of greeting, in Tamil there is just one way of greeting others. To greet someone in person or whilst on the telephone or internet, you would say ‘Vanakkam’ and, if meeting in person, you would say this with palms pressed against each other facing the person.

The word ‘Vanakkam’ implies respecting the person who comes in front of another person. This is just like the word ‘Namaste’ which is used in Northern India, Nepal, and in other regions where Hindi is spoken.

Figure 4 A couple saying ‘Vanakkam’ - (வணக்கம்).

When saying goodbye to someone or leaving a gathering, Tamils will say, ‘Naan poyitu vaarein’ meaning ‘I’ll go and come back’. This is an indication of being in constant connection with people.

Table 3 lists some useful phrases to use when greeting others and when saying goodbye. Read through the table and then listen to how each phrase is pronounced in the study note that follows. You will then have a chance to practise saying some of the expressions in Activity 3.

## Table 3 Greetings and essential expressions

Phrase in English | Phrase in Tamil | Pronunciation
--- | --- | ---
Hello | வணக்கம். | Vanakkam
Are you well? | நீங்கள் நலமாக இருக்கிறீர்களா? | Neenkal Nalamaka Erukkirirkala?
Yes, I’m fine | ஆம், நான் நலமாக இருக்கிறேன். | Aam, naan nalamaka erukkiren
Thank you | நன்றி. | Nandhri
You are welcome | நீங்கள் வரவேற்கப்படுகிறீர்கள். | Neenkal varavetkappadukireerkal
I’m sorry | நான் வருந்துகிறேன் |
Forgive me (this is a more common way of apologising in day-to-day communications) | என்னை மன்னித்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள். | Ennai manniththukollunkal
It doesn’t matter | அது ஒரு விடயம் இல்லை. (அது பறவாயில்லை) | Athu oru vidayam ellai (Athu paruvaayillai)
Goodbye | நான் போயிற்று வாறேன். | Naan poyitu vaarein
I have to leave now, as I have to fetch my son from school | நான் எனது மகனை பள்ளியில் இருந்து எடுக்கவேண்டி இருப்பதால், நான் இப்பொழுது போகவேண்டி இருக்கிறது. | Naan enathu makanai palliyil erunthu edukka vendi eruppathaal naan eppoluthu pokavendi erukkirathu

## New vocabulary/phrases

Click on ‘Show transcript’ to reveal the transliteration (Tamil words using the English alphabet) of the vocabulary/phrases.

This browser does not support audio playback.

Hello | வணக்கம்.
Transcript

This browser does not support audio playback.

Are you well? | நீங்கள் நலமாக இருக்கிறீர்களா?
Transcript

This browser does not support audio playback.

Yes, I’m fine | ஆம், நான் நலமாக இருக்கிறேன்.
Transcript

This browser does not support audio playback.

Thank you | நன்றி.
Transcript

This browser does not support audio playback.

You are welcome | நீங்கள் வரவேற்கப்படுகிறீர்கள்.
Transcript

This browser does not support audio playback.

Forgive me | என்னை மன்னித்துக்கொள்ளுங்கள்
Transcript

This browser does not support audio playback.

It doesn’t matter | அது ஒரு விடயம் இல்லை. (அது பறவாயில்லை)
Transcript

This browser does not support audio playback.

Goodbye (literally, ‘I will go and come back’) | நான் போயிற்று வாறேன்.
Transcript

This browser does not support audio playback.

I have to leave now, as I have to fetch my son from school | நான் எனது மகனை பள்ளியில் இருந்து எடுக்கவேண்டி இருப்பதால், நான் இப்பொழுது போகவேண்டி இருக்கிறது.
Transcript

Now have a go at speaking Tamil yourself.

## Activity 3

Record yourself saying the following statements and questions. Once you have recorded yourself, compare your recording with the model answer given.

View document
View document
View document
◄Contents►Next: 4 Tamil names and introductions

OpenLearn - Beginners’ Tamil: a taster course
Except for third party materials and otherwise, this content is made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Licence, full copyright detail can be found in the acknowledgements section. Please see full copyright statement for details.