Getting around in Tamil
Left, right, the station, one ticket, where is the toilet. 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
- கழிப்பறை எங்கே?ka-ZHIP-pa-rai en-GAE
- Where is the toilet?
- ...க்கு எப்படிப் போவது?-kku EP-pa-di-p POH-va-dhu
- How do I get to...?
- இடது பக்கம்i-DA-dhu PAK-kam
- To the left
- வலது பக்கம்VA-la-dhu PAK-kam
- To the right
- நேரே போங்கNEE-ree POONG-ga
- Straight ahead
- இங்கேing-GAE
- Here
- ரயில் நிலையம்ra-YIL ni-LAI-yam
- Train station
- பஸ்BAS
- Bus
- விமான நிலையம்vi-MAA-na ni-LAI-yam
- Airport
- ஒரு டிக்கெட்O-ru TIK-ket
- One ticket, please
In speech, டாய்லெட் (TOY-let) is just as common.
Literally "the left side".
The polite form using போங்க (go, with respect). You will hear this from locals pointing you toward your destination.
Chennai has a busy suburban rail network. For intercity travel, Chennai Central and Egmore are the main stations. Book ahead for long-distance trains.
Tamil Nadu has an extensive state bus network. Buses are cheap and go almost everywhere. Ask at the stop: இந்த பஸ் எங்கே போகுது (where does this bus go).
Works on buses, metro, and local trains. State your destination after this phrase and the conductor will quote the fare.