| I |
Naan |
| You! |
Nienga! |
| Do you speak (English/ Tamil )? |
Nienga (english/ thamizh) pésuviengala? |
| Just a little. |
Konjam konjam. |
| What's your name? |
Unga péranna? |
| My name is ... |
En péru ………. |
| Mr.../ Mrs.…/ Miss… |
Thiru…. / Thirumadhi…. / Selvi….. |
| Nice to meet you! |
Ungalai santhithathil magizhchi (or) Magizhchi! |
| You're very kind! |
Nienga romba nallavar. |
| Where are you from? |
Nienga engirundhu varrienga? |
| I'm from (the U.S/ Sri Lanka) |
Naan …… irundhu varéan. |
| I'm (American) |
Naan (american)….. |
| Where do you live? |
Neinga engéa vasikkirienga? |
| I live in (the U.S/ Sri Lanka) |
Naan …… il vasikkiréan. |
| Did you like it here? |
Ingu nalla irukka? |
| Sri Lanka is a wonderful country |
………..oru nalla naadu! |
| What do you do for a living? |
Enna vélai seirienga? |
| I work as a (translator/ businessman) |
Naan ……. Vélai seiyaréan. |
| I like Tamil |
Enakku Thamizh pidikkum |
| I've been learning Tamil for 1 month |
Naan oru maasama thamizh padikkiréne. |
| Oh! That's good! |
O! Romba Nalladhu! |
| How old are you? |
Ungalukku ethanai vayasu? |
| I'm (twenty, thirty...) years old. |
Enakku ….(age)… vayasu. |
| I have to go |
Naan poga véndum. |
| I will be right back! |
Naan udané thirumpuvéne. |
| Wish Someone Something |
|
| Good luck! |
Nallathu! |
| Happy birthday! |
Pirandha naal vazhthu! |
| Happy new year! |
Iniya putthaandu! |
| Merry Christmas! |
Iniya kiristhumas! |
| Congratulations! |
Paaraattukkal |
| Enjoy! (for meals...) |
Nanraaga saappidunkal |
| I'd like to visit Sri Lanka one day |
|
| Say hi to John for me |
Johnnai kéttathaaga sollunkal. |
| Bless you (when sneezing) |
Nouraandu vazhga! |
| Good night and sweet dreams! |
Nalla thoungunga! |
| Solving a Misunderstanding |
|
| I'm Sorry! (if you don't hear something) |
Mannikkanum! |
| Sorry (for a mistake) |
Mannikkanum! |
| No Problem! |
Onnum prachanai illai |
| Can You Say It Again? |
Thirumba sollunga? |
| Can You Speak Slowly? |
Porumaiya pésunga? |
| Write It Down Please! |
Adhai ezhuthunga! |
| I Don't Understand! |
Enakku puriyala! |
| I Don't Know! |
Enakku theriyaathu |
| I Have No Idea. |
Ennaku theriyala |
| What's That Called In Tamil ? |
Thamizhil enna solvaarkal? |
| What Does "gato" Mean In English? |
Englishil "lingua" enraal enna? |
| How Do You Say "Please" In Tamil ? |
"Please" enbathai thamizhil enna solvaarkal? |
| What Is This? |
Idhu enna? |
| My Tamil is bad. |
En …(thamizh) romba mosam. |
| I need to practice my Tamil |
Naan thamizh pésa véndum. |
| Don't worry! |
Kavalai padaathey! |
| Tamil Expressions and Words |
|
| Good/ Bad/ So-So. |
Nallathu / Mosam / Appadithaan. |
| Big/ Small |
Periya / Chinna |
| Today/ Now |
Indru / Ippothu |
| Tomorrow/ Yesterday |
Naalai / Nétru |
| Yes/ No |
Amaam / illai |
| Here you go! (when giving something) |
Indhaa. |
| Do you like it? |
unakku idhu pidikkuthaa? |
| I really like it! |
Enakku idhu romba pidikkuthu. |
| I'm hungry/ thirsty. |
Enakku pasi / thagam irukku.
|
| In The Morning/ Evening/ At Night. |
Kalaiyil / Maalaiyil / Rathri (or) iravil |
| This/ That. Here/There |
Idhu / Adhu. Ingu / Angu |
| Me/ You. Him/ Her. |
Enakku / Ungalukku. Avanukku / Avalukku |
| Really! |
Nijamavaa? |
| Look! |
Paarunga |
| Hurry up! |
Siekkiram! |
| What? Where? |
Enna? Engéa |
| What time is it? |
Ippo mani enna? |
| It's 10 o'clock. 07:30pm. |
Ippo 10(patthu) mani. Ezhu nuppathu(7.30) |
| Give me this! |
Adhai enakku kodu |
| I love you! |
Naan unnai virumpukirén. |
| I feel sick. |
Enakku udambu sari illai. |
| I need a doctor |
Daktarai paarka véndum. |
| One, Two, Three |
Onnu, Rendu, Moonu, |
| Four, Five, Six |
Naalu, indhu, aaru |
| Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten |
ézhu, ettu, onbadhu, patthu |
