Tamil Vocabulary - Greetings and Introductions (2024)

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we will learn how to greet someone and introduce ourselves in Tamil. Greetings and introductions are an essential part of daily life and social interactions. By mastering these basic phrases, you will be able to make a positive impression and establish connections with Tamil speakers.

This lesson is part of the larger course titled "Complete 0 to A1 Tamil Course" designed for complete beginners. The goal of this course is to take you from zero knowledge of Tamil to the A1 level. As a Tamil language teacher with 20 years of experience, I have carefully crafted this lesson to provide you with comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of greetings and introductions in Tamil.

Let's dive into the fascinating world of Tamil greetings and introductions!

Greetings[edit | edit source]

Basic Greetings[edit | edit source]

In Tamil culture, greetings play a significant role in daily interactions. Let's start by learning some basic greetings that you can use to greet someone in Tamil:

Vanakkam[edit | edit source]

One of the most common greetings in Tamil is "Vanakkam," which means "hello" or "greetings." It is a versatile greeting that can be used at any time of the day. The pronunciation of "Vanakkam" is as follows:

Nalama[edit | edit source]

Another common greeting is "Nalama," which means "how are you?" It is a polite way to inquire about someone's well-being. The pronunciation of "Nalama" is as follows:

Greetings based on Time of the Day[edit | edit source]

In Tamil, there are specific greetings based on the time of the day. Let's explore them:

Kaalai Vanakkam[edit | edit source]

In the morning, you can greet someone with "Kaalai Vanakkam," which translates to "good morning." The pronunciation of "Kaalai Vanakkam" is as follows:

Maalai Vanakkam[edit | edit source]

In the evening, you can use "Maalai Vanakkam" to greet someone, which means "good evening." The pronunciation of "Maalai Vanakkam" is as follows:

Iravu Vanakkam[edit | edit source]

During the night, you can greet someone with "Iravu Vanakkam," which translates to "good night." The pronunciation of "Iravu Vanakkam" is as follows:

Greetings based on Relationship[edit | edit source]

Tamil culture places great importance on relationships. Let's explore some greetings based on relationships:

Periyama[edit | edit source]

To greet an elder or someone in a position of authority, you can use "Periyama," which means "respectful greetings." The pronunciation of "Periyama" is as follows:

Anni[edit | edit source]

To greet an older sister or sister-in-law, you can use "Anni," which means "elder sister." The pronunciation of "Anni" is as follows:

Thambi[edit | edit source]

To greet a younger brother or brother-in-law, you can use "Thambi," which means "younger brother." The pronunciation of "Thambi" is as follows:

Other Greetings[edit | edit source]

Apart from the basic and time-based greetings, here are a few more greetings that you might find useful:

Vanthudalam[edit | edit source]

When welcoming someone, you can say "Vanthudalam," which means "welcome." The pronunciation of "Vanthudalam" is as follows:

Valarga[edit | edit source]

To wish someone success or prosperity, you can use "Valarga," which means "long live." The pronunciation of "Valarga" is as follows:

Introductions[edit | edit source]

Now that we have covered greetings, let's move on to introductions. Introducing yourself is an important skill that allows you to establish connections and communicate effectively. Let's learn some phrases for self-introduction in Tamil:

Basic Introductions[edit | edit source]

En peyar...[edit | edit source]

To introduce yourself, you can start with "En peyar..." which means "My name is...". Here's an example:

Nalla iruken[edit | edit source]

To respond to someone asking how you are, you can say "Nalla iruken," which means "I am fine." The pronunciation of "Nalla iruken" is as follows:

Sharing Personal Information[edit | edit source]

Naan...[edit | edit source]

To provide more personal information, you can use "Naan..." which means "I am...". Here are a few examples:

• Naan Chennai-la vaazhndhirukken - I am living in Chennai.
• Naan kaadhalai padikiren - I am studying medicine.
• Naan apuram varuven - I will come later.

Asking Questions[edit | edit source]

To engage in a conversation and get to know someone, it's important to ask questions. Here are some common questions you can use:

Un peyar enna?[edit | edit source]

To ask someone's name, you can say "Un peyar enna?" which means "What is your name?". The pronunciation of "Un peyar enna?" is as follows:

Eppadi irukke?[edit | edit source]

To ask someone how they are, you can say "Eppadi irukke?" which means "How are you?". The pronunciation of "Eppadi irukke?" is as follows:

Responses to Questions[edit | edit source]

Enakku pidikkum[edit | edit source]

To express your likes, you can say "Enakku pidikkum," which means "I like it." The pronunciation of "Enakku pidikkum" is as follows:

Enakku pudikkala[edit | edit source]

To express your dislikes, you can say "Enakku pudikkala," which means "I don't like it." The pronunciation of "Enakku pudikkala" is as follows:

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

Tamil culture places great emphasis on respect and hierarchy. When greeting someone, it is important to address them using the appropriate honorifics, which are based on age and social status. For example, "Periyama" is used to greet an elder or someone in a position of authority. This reflects the value Tamil society places on respecting elders and those in higher positions.

In Tamil Nadu, the traditional way of greeting is by folding hands and saying "Vanakkam." This gesture, known as "Namaste," signifies respect and humility. It is common to see people of all ages and backgrounds using this greeting in both formal and informal settings.

Tamil culture also values personal relationships and community. When introducing yourself, it is common to mention your family members and their occupations. This reflects the importance of family and the interconnectedness of the community in Tamil society.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Practice the greetings and introductions you have learned by completing the following exercises:

1. Match the Tamil greetings with their English translations:

2. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate phrases:

- "En peyar ___" means "My name is ___."- "Naan Chennai-la ___" means "I am living in Chennai."

3. Imagine you meet someone new and want to greet and introduce yourself. Write a short dialogue using the greetings and introductions you have learned.

Solutions[edit | edit source]

1. Match the Tamil greetings with their English translations:

2. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate phrases:

- "En peyar ___" means "My name is ___."- "Naan Chennai-la ___" means "I am living in Chennai."

3. Practice dialogue:

A: வணக்கம்! நலமா?B: வணக்கம்! நலமா?A: நலமா, நீங்கள் எப்படி இருக்கின்றீர்கள்?B: நலமா, நீங்கள் எப்படி இருக்கின்றீர்கள்?A: நலமா, நன்றி.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to greet someone and introduce yourself in Tamil. By mastering these basic phrases, you will be able to navigate social interactions with ease and make meaningful connections with Tamil speakers. Keep practicing and exploring the rich Tamil language and culture.

Videos[edit | edit source]

Learn to speak Tamil through English - Greetings and Introduction[edit | edit source]

Sources[edit | edit source]

• Tamil Phrases, Words, Sentences and Expressions | Linguanaut
• Greetings and Introduction Lesson1 - Learn Tamil Online-Best Tamil ...
• Greetings In Tamil: 50+ Best Words And Phrases - Ling App
• Free Online Course: Learn Tamil Through English from YouTube ...

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

• Nature
• Family and Relationships
• Days of the week
• Jobs
• Idiomatic Expressions
• Food
• Numbers
• Food and Drink
• Flora and Fauna
• Family