Yes, no and the essentials in Tamil
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Tamil words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Tamil phrases in this lesson
- ஆமாம்AA-mam
- Yes
- இல்லைIL-lai
- No
- சரிSA-ri
- Okay
- புரியவில்லைpu-ri-ya-VIL-lai
- I don't understand
- நீங்கள் ஆங்கிலம் பேசுவீர்களா?NING-gal AAN-gi-lam PEE-su-veer-ga-LAA
- Do you speak English?
- மீண்டும் சொல்லுங்கள்MEEN-dum SOL-lung-gal
- Can you repeat that?
- மெதுவாகப் பேசுங்கள்me-DHU-vaa-ga PAE-sung-gal
- Slowly, please
- இது என்ன?i-DHU EN-na
- What is this?
- எனக்கு ... தேவைe-NAK-ku ... THAE-vai
- I need...
- எனக்கு உதவ முடியுமா?e-NAK-ku u-DHA-va mu-DI-yu-maa
- Can you help me?
The standard spoken yes. You will also hear ஆம் (aam) in more formal speech. Nodding while saying this adds warmth.
Used for "no" and also "there is not." Context usually makes the meaning clear. A firm shake of the head reinforces it.
Extremely common in Tamil speech. சரி means okay, agreed, alright, and understood all at once. You will hear it constantly in conversation.
Use this when someone speaks too fast or you miss the meaning. People will usually slow down or try in English when they hear this from a visitor.
English proficiency is common in urban Tamil Nadu, especially in Chennai. In rural areas or among older generations, Tamil is more comfortable.
Literally "say it again".
Literally "speak slowly".