45+ Basic Words In Tamil: Useful Vocabulary For Beginners

Basic Words in Tamil

It’s a very emotional and significant experience to try speaking the Tamil language.

When you return to your hometown after a long absence, especially with your grandparents and other family members.

You may initially feel a little shy or uncertain of your fluency.

Even though you might make mistakes with basic words in Tamil , your loved ones will appreciate your effort.
It brings pride to your family. Hearing you speak in your native language with them makes grandparents especially proud. “Our legacy lives on.”

So, explore the language and learn the basic Tamil words with this complete guide!

Some Basic Words In Tamil 

If you only want to know what to say when speaking in Tamil, these basic phrases, expressions, and words will assist!

For example, the word “today” has a Tamil translation as “இன்று” “Iṉṟu.” It is the most commonly used word in any language.

Take another example of the basic word “food” translated as “உணவு” “Uṇavu.”

Like these, many other basic words in Tamil are important to learn.

The majority of the words below have common usage in regular speech, so memorizing them may come in helpful.

EnglishTamil TransliterationSound
Comeவாருங்கள்Vaarungal
Goபோகலாம்Pogalam
Takeஎடுத்துக்கொள்Eduthukol
SlowமெதுவாகMethuvaga
Todayஇன்றுIndru
Dayநாள்Naal
NightஇரவுIravu
Sleepதூக்கம்Thookam
FoodஉணவுUnavu
To drinkகுடிக்கKudika
Enoughபோதும்Pothum
Basic Words In Tamil - Ling app - friends standing together

Basic Greetings In Tamil

Can you say “Hello” in multiple languages?

Why not put in a bit of effort and learn a few more greetings?

For example, you can modify how you greet people depending on the time of day!

Start your day with the phrase “Good morning” “காலை வணக்கம்” “Kālai vaṇakkam!”

The Tamil phrase for “good night” “இனிய இரவு” “Iṉiya iravu” is comparable to “goodbye” “விடைபெறுகிறேன்” “Vidaiperugiren” in English.

So only say this one before leaving. Learn more basic words in Tamil from below. 

EnglishTamilTransliterationSound
Hi!வணக்கம்Vanakkam
Welcomeவரவேற்கிறேன்Varaverkiren
Good morning!காலை வணக்கம்Kaalai vanakkam
Good afternoon!மதிய வணக்கம்Mathiya vanakkam
Good evening!மாலை வணக்கம்Maalai vanakkam
Good night!நல்லிரவுNalliravu
Good bye!விடைபெறுகிறேன்Vidaiperugiren
Basic Words In Tamil-Ling app-couple with two kids waiting for their turn to travel

Basic Words In Tamil For Travelers 

Tamil is a rich language. If you travel to any other South Indian city where Tamil is not an official language, you can talk in Tamil.

It is because most people are familiar with spoken Tamil. 

Do you need to learn and speak Tamil for travel purposes?

You can start by learning the basic words that have wide usage worldwide.

Also, consider learning some common phrases. For example, learn the phrase “Where is the restaurant?” s “உணவகங்கள் எங்கே?” “Uṇavakaṅkaḷ eṅkē?” 

It is important to learn the above phrase when you are in another country. You will need to visit restaurants and often ask about the location from the locals.

So, the first thing is to study those phrases that you believe can make your traveling easy and worthwhile.

Below are some of the other traveling phrases that every traveler must learn. 

EnglishTamilTransliteration Sound
When was the last bus come?கடைசி பேருந்து எப்போது வரும்?Kadaisi perunthu eppothu varum?
Do you speak English?நீ ஆங்கிலம் பேசுவாயா?Nee aankilam peruvaya?
How much does this cost?இதன் விலை எவ்வளவு?Ithana vilai evvalavu?
Where are the restaurants?உணவகங்கள் எங்கே?Unavakagangal engey?
Wait! I must pay the bill.காத்திரு! நான் பில் கட்ட வேண்டும் .Kathiru! Naan bill katta vendum
Is there any bank nearby?அருகில் ஏதேனும் வங்கி இருக்கிறதா?Arugil ethenum vangi irukiratha
Can you guide me, please?தயவுசெய்து எனக்கு வழிகாட்ட முடியுமா?Thayavu seithu enaku valikata mudiyuma
Can you say that more slowly?அதை இன்னும் மெதுவாக சொல்ல முடியுமா?Athai innum methuvaka solla mudiyuma
Order food, please.தயவுசெய்து உணவை ஆர்டர் செய்யுங்கள்.Thayavu seithu unavai aardar seyungal
Basic Words In Tamil -Ling app-couple with their girl child

Basic Tamil Words For Family

Family is important to Indians, regardless of their first language.

Ask about their family if you want to have a long conversation with someone from Tamil Nadu.

Now is the moment to skip the formal conversation and start making contact with locals in Tamil.

Take some interest in learning Tamil simple words and beat the table with your speaking skills.

EnglishTamilTransliterationSound
Friendநண்பன்Nanban
Motherஅம்மாAmma
Fatherஅப்பாAppa
Grandfatherதாத்தாThaththa
Grandmotherபாட்டிPaaty
Mother’s sisterசித்திChithi
UncleமாமாMama
Auntஅத்தைAththai
Elder sisterஅக்காAkka
Younger sisterதங்கைThangai
Elder brotherஅண்ணன்Annan
Younger brotherதம்பிThambi

How Do You Say Basic Words In Tamil?

In Tamil, Basic words are refered as Adipadai sorkal (அடிப்படை சொற்கள்) .

Speaking in Tamil can break barriers and make you feel more included in Tamil-speaking community.

Simple Yet Powerful Tips To Improve Basic Words In Tamil

  1. Start with greeting words then move to the words which we used in everyday scenario.
  2. Practice to say the words aloud which helps you to improve your pronounciation.
  3. Watch Tamil movies/videos it help you to pick words for everyday conversation.
  4. Begin to read kids books which has basic Tamil words
  5. Stay focused and maintain consistency.

Basic Tamil Words And phrases For Daily Use

If you want to interact with more people, learn Tamil simple words.

It makes your conversation smoother Firstly, learn to say Yes and No in Tamil.

These words will help you a lot if you do not speak Tamil well.

Definitely, This will help you to handle emergency situations.

Other everyday words and their Tamil meanings are below. 

EnglishTamilTransliterationSound
Thank youநன்றிNandri
Yesஆம்Aam
Noஇல்லைIllai
Where is this place?இந்த இடம் எங்கே இருக்கிறது?Intha idam engae irukirathu?
What is this?இது என்ன?Ithu enna?
Go straightநேராக செல்லவும்Neraga sellavum
Turn leftஇடது புறம் திரும்பவும்Idathupuram thirumbavum
I am thirstyஎனக்கு தாகமாய் இருக்கிறதுEnaku thaagamai irukirathu

Frequently Asked Questions For Basic Words In Tamil

1. Why Should I Learn Basic Words In Tamil?

When you learn basic words it helps you to communicate effectively in Tamil speaking environment. It helps you to greet, thank, and ask questions confidently.

2. Do Tamil Words Based On Gender?

Yes! In Tamil, gender plays a big role in how words are formed and used.

Tamil grammar often uses gender to decide the right verb form.

So knowing this helps Makes your conversation more respectful and accurate.

3. How Many Types Of Words In Tamil?

In Tamil, words are classified based on their function. Namely, noun – peyarchsol (பெயர்ச்சொல்), pronoun – Prathi peyarchsol (பிரதி பெயர்ச்சொல்) ,verb – vinaichsol (வினைச்சொல்) , adjective – peyaradai (பெயரடை) ,adverb – vinaiyrichsol (வினையுரிச்சொல்), conjunction – inaichsol (இணைச்சொல்).

4. How Many Characters In Tamil?

In Tamil script there are 247 characters. 12 vowels +18 consonants+216 compound letters+1 special character.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re a traveler or simply passionate about Tamil people, you need to know about some basic words to fulfil your basic needs and also to get help in some emergency situation. 

Learning Basic words in Tamil is the first step towards achieving your goal.

In this blog you explore basic words for greetings,travellers, and for essential interactions.

Last but not least here we’re presenting practical tips to enhance your Tamil speaking journey. As you practice regularly you gain your confidence in speaking Tamil. 

Speak Like A Tamil Native

Learning Tamil becomes fun and efficient with the Ling app. These are a few advantages of beginning a language study.

Found level progressions, quizzes, and rewards to make language practice into a game.

Utilize an AI-powered chatbot to practice having real-world conversations in Tamil.

Use clever, adaptable reminders to maintain consistency.

Choose lessons based on your level of fluency, from basic to advanced.

Additionally, you will acquire cultural knowledge that strengthens your ties to the Tamil-speaking community.

So why wait to download the app and begin to learn Tamil right now?

10,000+ people use the Ling app every day to learn languages!

Should you join us too? The answer is YES! Here’s why:
  1. Core Learning Tools
    • Essential vocabulary and useful phrases in bite-sized lessons
    • Realistic dialogues for comfortable conversations
    • Listening and speaking practice with native speaker audio
    • Culture and grammar notes for extra context

  2. Interactive & Engaging Features
    • Fun games for vocabulary review
    • Finger-tracing exercises to practice writing
    • Daily streaks and badges to keep you motivated

  3. Over 40+ Asian and Eastern European languages unlocked

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