How To Express Date And Time In Tamil: 20+ Best Words

Let’s face it, whether we’re exploring the ancient temples of Madurai or savoring mouthwatering dosas in Chennai, knowing the date and time is crucial for any adventurer on the go. Trust me, you don’t want to show up for a rickshaw ride a day late or schedule a temple visit when it is closed for maintenance. Time is of the essence, my friends!

Now, let’s dive into the amazing world of Tamil, where even the words for “date” and “time” sound like a playful melody. The words are தேதி (Tēti) for “date” and நேரம் (Neram) for “time.” It’s like the language itself wants to join you in a merry dance!

In this light article, we shall unlock the secrets of correctly expressing the current time and date in Tamil. Not only will you learn to wield these linguistic gems effortlessly, but we’ll also unravel the art of reading them with finesse. So, when your wanderlust leads you to the beautiful state of Tamil Nadu, you’ll be armed with the knowledge to catch that train, hop on that bus, and never miss an appointment, all with a mischievous smile on your face.

Get ready to charm the locals and sprinkle some Tamil magic on your adventures. Let’s embark on this linguistic escapade together, for the clock is ticking!

Months In Tamil

The Tamil Calendar

In the vibrant land of Tamil Nadu, time dances to the rhythm of a unique calendar. Known as the Tamil calendar or the Tamil Panchangam, or even the Sanskrit calendar, it is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the region. This ancient calendar, deeply rooted in tradition, is used by the Tamil population in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and Mauritius. The Tamil calendar relates to the solar cycle and incorporates lunar influences, making it a captivating fusion of astronomy and astrology. It consists of twelve months, each brimming with festivals, auspicious occasions, and celestial alignments. 

The Tamil calendar begins in April, on the same date that is observed by most traditional calendars in India, such as Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Odisha, Manipur, Punjab, etc.

From the colorful Pongal festivities to the mystical Karthigai Deepam, the Tamil calendar guides the lives of the people, shaping their celebrations, agricultural practices, and daily routines. It serves as a captivating reflection of the deep connection Tamil Nadu shares with the celestial realms, weaving together time, culture, and spirituality into a tapestry that is as enchanting as the land itself.

Gregorian Calendar In Tamil Nadu

The Gregorian calendar has also made its mark in Tamil Nadu, influenced by the West. While Tamil Nadu follows its own traditional Tamil calendar for cultural and religious events, the Gregorian calendar has gained prominence in everyday life, especially for official and administrative purposes. This influence can be attributed to colonial history and globalization, which introduced Western systems and practices to the region.

Because of this, we should also learn how to say the months in the Gregorian calendar in Tamil:

Days Of The Week In Tamil

It’s time to turn our attention to the rhythm of the week. The days unfold with their own unique charm, blending tradition and modernity in a delightful harmony. 

In the Tamil daily calendar, days of the week are associated with different celestial bodies in the solar system: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn.

1. Monday – திங்கட்கிழமை (Tingat-kiḻamai): The day that kick-starts the week, is referred to as “Thingal” in Tamil. Like the gentle moon that illuminates the night sky, this day brings a fresh start to our endeavors.
2. Tuesday – செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை (Chevvai-kiḻamai): Tuesday shines brightly as “Chevvai” in Tamil. Associated with the fiery planet Mars, it ignites our determination and courage.
3. Wednesday – புதன்கிழமை (Budhan-kiḻamai): Wednesday arrives as “Puṭan,” symbolizing Mercury’s influence. Just as the swift messenger of the gods, this day propels us towards communication and intellectual pursuits.
4. Thursday – வியாழக்கிழமை (Vyaḻa-kiḻamai): Thursday emerges as “Vyala” in Tamil, signifying the benevolent planet Jupiter. It inspires us with its expansive energy, urging us to seek wisdom and embrace generosity.
5. Friday – வெள்ளிக்கிழமை (Velli-kiḻamai): Friday glimmers as “Velli,” resonating with the planet Venus. Much like the captivating allure of this celestial body, the day embraces beauty, love, and harmony.
6. Saturday – சனிக்கிழமை (Sani-kiḻamai): Saturday appears as “Sani,” representing the disciplined planet Saturn. It instills patience, perseverance, and a sense of structure to guide our path.
7. Sunday – ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை (Nyayitru-kiḻamai): Finally, we have Sunday, lovingly referred to as “Nyāyiru” in Tamil. This day echoes the vibrant sun, infusing us with warmth, joy, and the promise of new beginnings.

Years In Tamil

Before we embark on the journey of writing and pronouncing years in Tamil, let’s make sure we have a solid foundation in Tamil numbering. If you’re new to this topic, fear not! Our blog features a dedicated post on Tamil numbers, providing a handy guide to help you grasp the fundamentals.

Now, let’s dive into the captivating realm of expressing years in Tamil. In Tamil Nadu, the calendar system follows a mix of both the Gregorian calendar and the traditional Tamil calendar. To write and pronounce years in Tamil, we combine the Tamil numbering system with the corresponding Gregorian year.

For instance, to express the year 2023, we would write it as ௨௦௨௩ in Tamil script. Pronouncing it would be “Irupathu Irandu Munnooru Moonru” (இருபத்து இரண்டு முன்னூறு மூன்று). Here, each digit of the Gregorian year corresponds to its respective Tamil number.

To help you, here is a table with the numerals’ translation to Tamil script:

Let’s take a look at a few examples:

1. 1990 – ௧௯௯௦ (Onpathu Onpadhu Onpadhu)
2. 2020 – ௨௦௨௦ (Irandu Pathu Irandu)
3. 2000 – ௨௦௦௦ (Irandu Ayiram)
4. 1975 – ௧௯௭௫ (Ondru Ezhu Ezhu Anju)
5. 1901 – ௧௯௦௧ (Ondru Nooru Ondru)
6. 1700 – ௧௭௦௦ (Pathinonnu Nooru)
7. 1467 – ௧௪௬௭ (Pathu Nanggu Aaru Ezhu)
8. 1899 – ௧௮௯௯ (Pathu Onpathu Thonnooru)

How To Write The Date In Tamil

To write the date in Tamil, we typically follow a format that includes the day, month, and year. Let’s break it down step by step:

1. Day: Begin by writing the day of the month using the Tamil numeral system. For example, if it’s the 15th day, write it as ௧௫ (15).
2. Month: Move on to the month, which is represented by its respective Tamil name.
3. Year: Finally, conclude with the year, again using the Tamil numeral system to represent the digits of the year.

For example, if we were to write the date as “May 23, 2023,” we would write it as ௨௩ மே, ௨௦௨௩ in Tamil. The day is represented by the numeral ௨௩ (23), the month is மே (May), and the year is ௨௦௨௩ (2023).

How To Tell Time In Tamil

Tamil, a language rich in its expressions, has its unique way of conveying time. Let’s explore the art of telling the time in Tamil:

1. Hour: Begin by stating the hour using the Tamil numeral system. Just like in English, the hours are numbered from one to twelve. For example, to express 2 o’clock, we would say ௰௨ மணி (Irandu mani).
2. Minutes: Move on to the minutes, which are expressed using the Tamil numeral system. The minutes are usually mentioned in increments of five, up to 55 minutes. For instance, to express 25 minutes, we would say ௨௫ நிமிடம் (Irupathu aidu nimidam).
3. Quarter and Half: In Tamil, we also have specific terms for quarter and half past the hour. To express quarter past the hour, we use the term பத்து நிமிடம் (Pathu nimidam). And for half past the hour, we use the term அரை மணி (Arai mani).
4. AM and PM: To distinguish between morning and afternoon/evening, we use முற்பகல் (Murihkal) for AM (morning) and பிற்பகல் (Pirihkal) for PM (afternoon/evening).

Putting it all together, here are a few examples:

• 3:15 PM: மதியம் மூன்றரை தாண்டிய கால் மணி (Matiyam mūṉṟarai tāṇṭiya kāl maṇi).
• 9:30 AM: காலை ஒன்பதரை மணி (Kālai oṉpatarai maṇi).
• 6:45 PM: பிற்பகல் ௬ மணி நாற்பத்தினருக்கு நிமிடம் (Pirihkal aaru mani naarpattinarukku nimidam).
• 2:14 PM: இரண்டு மணி நேரம் பதினான்கு நிமிடங்கள் (Iraṇṭu maṇi nēram patiṉāṉku nimiṭaṅkaḷ)

Helpful Terms For Telling Time In Tamil

When telling the time, there are a few terms that are also helpful, not only to help you say the correct time but also to speed up this process:

• Hour – மணி (Maṇi)
• Minute – நிமிடம் (Nimiṭam)
• Second – இரண்டாவது (Iraṇṭāvatu)
• Noon – நண்பகல் (Naṇpakal)
• Midnight – நள்ளிரவு (Naḷḷiravu)
• Afternoon – பிற்பகல் (Piṟpakal)
• Morning – காலை (Kālai)
• Evening – சாயங்காலம் (Cāyaṅkālam)
• Night – இரவு (Iravu)

Learn More About The Date And Time In Tamil With Ling

Congratulations! You’re as close to becoming a master of clocks and calendars as one can be in the Tamil language. Armed with your newfound knowledge, you’re ready to explore Tamil Nadu, confidently deciphering clocks and even assisting locals when they seek the date and time in Tamil.

But why stop here? Tamil culture has so much more to offer! Imagine being able to engage in meaningful conversations and connect with the warm-hearted people of Tamil Nadu.

That’s where Ling App comes to your aid. With the Ling app, you can embark on a language learning adventure tailored to your needs and preferences. Whether you’re a beginner or seeking to enhance your existing Tamil skills, Ling has got you covered.

Experience interactive lessons that make learning Tamil fun and engaging. Master pronunciation with voice recognition technology. Expand your vocabulary with flashcards and exercises. And track your progress as you build your proficiency in Tamil.

Don’t wait any longer; download the Ling app now and let the journey of mastering Tamil begin!