Order anything by pointing in Tamil
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. 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 11 Tamil phrases in this lesson
- எனக்கு ... வேண்டும்e-NAK-ku ... VEN-dum
- I would like...
- இதைI-tai
- This one
- எவ்வளவு?ev-VA-la-vu
- How much is it?
- பில்BIL
- The bill, please
- கார்டில்KAAR-dil
- By card
- பணமாகpa-NA-maa-ga
- In cash
- தண்ணீர்tan-NEER
- Water
- காபிKAA-pi
- Coffee
- டீtee
- Tea
- பீர்BEER
- Beer
- ... இல்லாமல்il-LAA-mal
- Without...
Literally "to me ... is wanted": எனக்கு ஒரு காபி வேண்டும் (e-NAK-ku O-ru KAA-pi VEN-dum).
Point and say இதை to indicate exactly what you want. Pairs well with ஒரு (one) for clarity: ஒரு இதை, one of this.
Ask before ordering at informal stalls. Prices are usually low and often posted, but confirming avoids surprises.
Directly borrowed from English. You can also say கணக்கு (ka-NAK-ku) for a more Tamil phrasing. Calling out பில் to the server is universally understood.
UPI phone payments are even more common.
Literally "as money".
Ask for bottled water (பாட்டில் தண்ணீர், PAA-til tan-NEER) at restaurants if you are unsure about the water source.
South Indian filter coffee, frothed between two steel cups, is a Tamil Nadu ritual.
Alcohol is sold through state-run shops and licensed bars.
சர்க்கரை இல்லாமல் (SAR-ka-rai il-LAA-mal), without sugar.