The five Tamil phrases that do 80% of the work

Hello / goodbye.

வணக்கம்VAH-nak-kam

Works for greeting and parting, any time of day, with palms pressed together.

Thank you.

நன்றிNAN-dree

Please.

தயவுசெய்துthuh-YAH-voo-SAY-dhu

Also covers "kindly" when asking someone for a favour.

Excuse me / sorry.

மன்னிக்கவும்MUN-nick-kuh-vum

To get past someone, or to apologise.

Do you speak English?

உங்களுக்கு ஆங்கிலம் தெரியுமா?ung-guh-LUK-koo AAN-gee-lam theh-ree-yoo-MAA

Ask it after a Tamil greeting, not instead of one.

First time? Do this

Audio is built in. Tap any phrase to hear it in a native voice — pre-recorded and cached, so it just works offline, no setup. (The voice bar can still pick a phone voice as a backup.)
Phrases — drilled by situation: the mess, tea stalls, directions, the temple. Hit play, then say it back out loud.
Sounds — the Tamil alphabet, tap to hear every letter. Ten minutes here pays off the most.
Customs — the unspoken rules. This is where tourists actually give themselves away.
Practice — hear / read / recall / speak. Use it on the plane.

Situational Tamil

Right thing, right moment.

Tap a chip to jump to a scene — or just search. Common holds the go-anywhere basics (hello, thanks, where's the toilet); a few phrases like drinks live under more than one scene.

You can type in either language — both sides are searched.

Common — useful everywhere · greetings · basics · the toilet

Hello / goodbye.

வணக்கம்VAH-nak-kam

Works for greeting and parting, any time of day, with palms pressed together.

Thank you.

நன்றிNAN-dree

Please.

தயவுசெய்துthuh-YAH-voo-SAY-dhu

Also covers "kindly" when asking someone for a favour.

Excuse me / sorry.

மன்னிக்கவும்MUN-nick-kuh-vum

To get past someone, or to apologise.

Do you speak English?

உங்களுக்கு ஆங்கிலம் தெரியுமா?ung-guh-LUK-koo AAN-gee-lam theh-ree-yoo-MAA

Ask it after a Tamil greeting, not instead of one.

Where's the toilet / bathroom / restroom?

கழிப்பறை எங்க இருக்கு?KUH-zhip-puh-rai EN-gah ee-RUK-koo

Where is...?

...எங்க இருக்கு?EN-gah ee-RUK-koo

Drop in any place — மருந்துக்கடை எங்க இருக்கு? (pharmacy), ஏடிஎம் எங்க இருக்கு? (ATM).

How much is it?

இது என்ன விலை?EE-dhoo EN-nuh VI-lai

I don't understand.

எனக்கு புரியலEH-nuk-koo poo-ri-YUH-lah

Slower, please.

கொஞ்சம் மெதுவா பேசுங்கKOHN-jum meh-thoo-VAA pae-SOONG-gah

Your secret weapon when the reply comes fast.

Greetings & manners · the social handshake

Good morning.

காலை வணக்கம்KAA-lai VAH-nak-kam

Good evening.

மாலை வணக்கம்MAA-lai VAH-nak-kam

How are you?

எப்படி இருக்கீங்க?EP-puh-dee ee-ruk-KEEN-gah

Polite, to a stranger or elder.

I'm good, thanks.

நல்லா இருக்கேன், நன்றிnul-LAA ee-ruk-KEN, NAN-dree

The standard reply.

My name is...

என் பேரு...en PAE-roo

Colloquial "peru" — you'll rarely hear the formal "peyar" spoken aloud.

See you later

போயிட்டு வாரேன்poh-YIT-too VAA-ren

— literally "I'll go and come." Tamil has no everyday word for a final goodbye; this implied return is how people actually part.

At the mess (restaurant) · ordering & dining

mess mess — a plain Tamil eating house — rice, sambar, a banana leaf

A table for two, please.

இரண்டு பேருக்கு ஒரு மேசை, தயவுசெய்துee-RAN-doo pae-ROOK-koo OH-roo MAE-sai, thuh-YAH-voo-SAY-dhu

The menu, please.

மெனு கொடுங்களேன்MEH-noo koh-doong-guh-LEN

What do you recommend?

என்ன சிபாரிசு செய்வீங்க?EN-nuh see-PAA-ree-soo say-VEEN-gah

The question that gets you the real food.

What's your favourite dish?

உங்களுக்கு பிடிச்ச உணவு எது?ung-guh-LUK-koo pi-DICH-uh OO-nuh-voo EH-dhoo

Ask whoever's cooking — you'll get an opinion and often a taste.

I'm vegetarian.

நான் சைவம்naan SAI-vum

A hugely common, unremarkable thing to say in Tamil Nadu.

Without meat, please.

இறைச்சி வேண்டாம்ee-RAI-chee ven-DAAM

The bill, please.

பில் கொடுங்களேன்bill koh-doong-guh-LEN

You usually have to ask.

Water, please.

தண்ணி கொடுங்கTHAN-nee koh-DOONG-gah

Bars & nights out · your scene

Another beer, please.

இன்னும் ஒரு பியர், தயவுசெய்துIN-num OH-roo BEE-yar, thuh-YAH-voo-SAY-dhu

This round's on me.

இந்த ரவுண்ட் நான் தர்றேன்IN-dhuh round naan THUH-ren

Literally "I'll give this round" — the way it's actually said.

Cheers!

சியர்ஸ்!CHEE-yars

Borrowed straight from English — you'll hear it more than any Tamil toast.

Is this seat free?

இந்த சீட் காலியா?IN-dhuh seat KAA-li-yaa

How late are you open?

எத்தனை மணி வரைக்கும் திறந்திருக்கும்?ETH-uh-nai muh-NEE vuh-raik-KOOM thi-RUN-thi-ruk-kum

Filter coffee & tea · the coffee ritual

A coffee, please.

ஒரு காப்பி கொடுங்கOH-roo KAAP-pee koh-DOONG-gah

Ask for filter coffee anywhere south of Chennai and it's understood.

Make it strong, please.

ஸ்ட்ராங்கா வேணும்STRAANG-kaa vay-NUM

Less sugar.

சர்க்கரை கம்மிSUR-kuh-rai KUM-mee

Do you have tea?

டீ இருக்கா?tea ee-ROOK-kaa

Without milk?

பாலு இல்லாம வேணுமா?PAA-loo il-LAA-mah vay-NOO-maa

What the stall owner asks you back.

Pour it in the tumbler.

டம்ளர்ல ஊத்துங்கTUM-lur-lah OOTH-thoong-gah

The signature davara-tumbler serve — poured back and forth between two vessels to cool and froth it.

This coffee is really good!

இந்த காப்பி ரொம்ப நல்லா இருக்கு!IN-thuh KAAP-pee ROHM-buh NUL-laa ee-ROOK-koo

One more coffee.

இன்னும் ஒரு காப்பிIN-num OH-roo KAAP-pee

Do you have buttermilk?

மோர் இருக்கா?mohr ee-ROOK-kaa

Spiced, salted mor — the everyday cooler at any mess, worth trying.

Finding your way · asking directions

Where's a good place to eat?

நல்ல ஓட்டல் எங்க இருக்கு?NUL-lah OH-tal EN-gah ee-RUK-koo

In everyday Tamil, "ஓட்டல்" (hotel) means an eatery, not somewhere to sleep — the lodging kind is a "லாட்ஜ்" (lodge).

Left.

இடது பக்கம்I-duh-thoo PUK-kum

Right.

வலது பக்கம்VUH-luh-thoo PUK-kum

Straight ahead.

நேரா போங்கNAE-raa POHN-gah

I'm lost.

நான் வழி தப்பிட்டேன்naan VUH-zhee thup-PIT-ten

Autos & getting around · rides & fares

I need an auto(-rickshaw).

எனக்கு ஆட்டோ வேணும்EH-nuk-koo AA-toh vae-NUM

The everyday ride here — a metered taxi is far rarer than a three-wheeler auto.

To the airport, please.

ஏர்போர்ட்டுக்கு, தயவுசெய்துAIR-port-took-koo, thuh-YAH-voo-SAY-dhu

How much is it to...?

...வரைக்கும் எவ்வளவு ஆகும்?vuh-RAIK-koom EV-vuh-luh-voo AA-goom

Agree the fare before you set off.

Turn on the meter, please.

மீட்டர் போடுங்கMEE-tar poh-DOONG-gah

Auto drivers often quote a flat "tourist" price instead — asking for the meter heads that off.

Stop here, please.

இங்க நிறுத்துங்கIN-gah ni-ROOTH-toong-gah

Keep the change.

மீதி வச்சிக்கோங்கMEE-thee vuh-CHIK-koh-ngah

Temples & sacred sites · visiting a temple

What time does this temple open?

இந்த கோவில் எத்தனை மணிக்கு திறக்கும்?IN-dhuh KOH-vil ETH-uh-nai muh-NIK-koo thi-RUK-koom

Most close for a few hours at midday and reopen in the evening.

Where do I leave my footwear?

காலணி எங்க வைக்கணும்?KAA-luh-nee EN-gah vaik-kuh-NUM

Shoes come off before the entrance at every temple.

Can I take a photo?

போட்டோ எடுக்கலாமா?POH-toh eh-duk-kuh-LAA-maa

Many sanctums forbid it — always ask first.

I'd like some prasadam.

ப்ரசாதம் வேணும்pruh-SAA-thum vae-NUM

The blessed food offering handed out after worship — accept it with your right hand.

It's so beautiful!

ரொம்ப அழகா இருக்கு!ROHM-buh uh-zhuh-GAA ee-RUK-koo

Good for a gopuram, a carving, anything that stops you.

Shops & getting by · everyday

Just looking

நான் வெறுமனே பார்க்கறேன்naan veh-roo-muh-NAE paar-kuh-REN

— in a shop, with a smile.

Sorry, I don't speak Tamil.

மன்னிக்கணும், எனக்கு தமிழ் தெரியாதுmun-nik-kuh-NUM, EH-nuk-koo thuh-MIZH theh-ri-YAA-dhoo

The graceful exit.

Sea & scenery · quick vocab

Sea.

கடல்KUH-dal

Beach.

கடற்கரைkuh-DUL-kuh-rai

Sunset.

சூரிய அஸ்தமனம்SOO-ri-yuh us-thuh-muh-NUM

Kanyakumari, at the very southern tip, is famous for watching it sink into the sea.

Beautiful / lovely.

அழகா இருக்குuh-zhuh-GAA ee-RUK-koo

Numbers 0–100,000 · prices & ordering

பூஜ்ஜியம்POOJ-jee-yum

ஒன்றுON-droo

இரண்டுee-RAN-doo

மூன்றுMOON-droo

நான்குNAAN-goo

ஐந்துAIN-dhoo

ஆறுAA-roo

ஏழுAE-zhoo

எட்டுET-too

ஒன்பதுON-buh-dhoo

பத்துPUTH-too

பதினொன்றுpuh-thi-NON-droo

பன்னிரண்டுpun-nee-RAN-doo

Irregular — uses a unique "pan-" combining form instead of the regular "padhin-" prefix.

பதின்மூன்றுpuh-thin-MOON-droo

பதினான்குpuh-thi-NAAN-goo

பதினைந்துpuh-thi-NAIN-dhoo

பதினாறுpuh-thi-NAA-roo

பதினேழுpuh-thi-NAE-zhoo

பதினெட்டுpuh-thi-NET-too

பத்தொன்பதுputh-thon-buh-DHOO

Irregular — reverts to the full word "paththu" (ten) instead of the "padhin-" prefix every other teen uses.

இருபதுee-roo-BUH-dhoo

முப்பதுmoop-PUH-dhoo

நாற்பதுnaar-PUH-dhoo

ஐம்பதுaim-PUH-dhoo

அறுபதுuh-roo-BUH-dhoo

எழுபதுeh-zhoo-BUH-dhoo

எண்பதுen-PUH-dhoo

தொண்ணூறுthon-NOO-roo

Irregular — breaks the "-padhu" pattern every other ten follows.

100

நூறுNOO-roo

Stands alone, no leading "one" — never ஒன்று நூறு.

1,000

ஆயிரம்AA-yi-rum

Stands alone too — never ஒன்று ஆயிரம்.

100,000 (one lakh).

லட்சம்LUT-chum

India counts in lakhs, not millions — this is the word you'll actually see on price tags and payslips.

How the numbers build

Tens glue to ones with a linking sound, not a bare join. இருபது (20) becomes இருபத்தி ஒன்று (21) — the ending shifts from "-பது" to "-பத்தி" before the ones digit is added.
Teens use a special "padhin-" prefix instead of repeating "ten". 11-18 swap பத்து (ten) for the combining form பதின்-: 13 is பதின்மூன்று, not built from the standalone word for ten.
12 and 19 break that pattern entirely. 12 is பன்னிரண்டு, a unique "pan-" form found nowhere else, and 19 is பத்தொன்பது, reverting to the full word for ten instead of "padhin-".
Hundred and thousand stand alone — no leading "one". நூறு (100) and ஆயிரம் (1,000) are never preceded by ஒன்று; multiples simply place the count word in front, like இரண்டு ஆயிரம் (2,000).
India counts in lakhs, not millions. 100,000 is லட்சம் — a pivot word of its own, not a compound of thousand. A million is simply பத்து லட்சம் ("ten lakh"), the way it's actually said and printed on price tags.

Formal default: Tamil marks respect mainly through pronoun and verb-ending choice — use the plural/polite "நீங்க" (neenga) form with strangers and elders, switching to the singular "நீ" (nee) only with children or very close friends.

Hearing & reading Tamil

New script, but every sound has its own letter.

Tamil spelling is far more consistent than English — once you know a letter's sound, it never changes. The tricky part is a handful of sounds English simply doesn't have.

The building blocks — 12 vowels, 8 key consonants

Tamil's full script runs to 247 combined letters, but it's built from just 12 vowels and 18 consonants stacked together. This set of 20 covers the core sounds you'll meet everywhere — tap one to hear it.

The letters that trip people up

ழ

a retroflex approximant with no English equivalent — tongue curls back without touching the roof

e.g. தமிழ் — Tamil, the language

ள

retroflex "l" — tongue tip curls back to touch the roof, not the teeth

e.g. பள்ளி — school

ண

retroflex "n" — same curled-back tongue position as ள, nasalised

e.g. வண்டி — vehicle, cart

ன

alveolar "n", common as a word-final sound

e.g. அவன் — he

ற

a hard, almost "tr"-like sound, especially when doubled as ற்ற

e.g. பறவை — bird

ஃ

aytham — a rare third "letter", mostly heard as an "f" in loanwords

e.g. ஃபோன் — phone

Letter teams — how vowel signs attach

Tamil consonants change shape when a vowel sign attaches, and some signs are written before the consonant they actually belong to. These five combinations unlock reading real words and signs.

கா

the long-ā sign ா, added right after the consonant

e.g. காலை — morning

தெ

the short-e sign ெ — written BEFORE the consonant it belongs to, though said after

e.g. தெரு — street

வை

the ai sign ை, also written before the consonant

e.g. வைக்க — to place

த்

pulli (் ) — a dot that cancels the consonant's built-in vowel

e.g. தமிழ் — Tamil, the language

ஃப

aytham + ப — the borrowed "f" sound used only in loanwords

e.g. ஃபோன் — phone

A few rules that explain the rest

Vowel length changes the word, not just the music. Short and long vowels (அ/ஆ, இ/ஈ, உ/ஊ...) are separate letters, not a stress choice — stretching one where it shouldn't be can turn one word into another.
Spelling is far more reliable than English. Once you know what a letter sounds like, it sounds that way everywhere — there's no silent-letter guessing game like English "though/through/tough".
A dot under a letter kills its built-in vowel. Every consonant carries an invisible "a" until a ் (pulli) cancels it — that's the difference between த ("tha") and த் (a bare "t").
Retroflex vs dental isn't optional. Tamil has two or three versions of "n", "l" and "t" depending on where the tongue touches — curling it back (retroflex) versus resting behind the teeth (dental) genuinely changes the word.
One letter, two sounds depending on position. Letters like க and ப harden at the start of a word but soften toward "g" or "v" in the middle — native speakers do this automatically, so don't force a hard consonant everywhere.

Don't-be-that-tourist

The rules nobody prints on the menu.

Your Tamil rarely outs you. These do. Read once, and you'll move differently.

Greet with folded hands

Press your palms together at chest height and say வணக்கம் (VAH-nak-kam) — it works as hello, goodbye, and a respectful nod to elders, all in one gesture.

Know

The head wobble usually means yes

A side-to-side head wobble isn't "no" — it signals agreement, okay, or "I'm following you". Read it alongside the words, not instead of them.

Use your right hand

Eat, pay, and hand things over with your right hand, or both hands together for something more formal like a gift. The left hand is reserved for personal hygiene, and using it elsewhere reads as impolite.

Avoid

Don't point your feet at people, food, or books

Feet are considered the least clean part of the body — never point them at a person, a shrine, or reading material, and never step over someone sitting on the floor. Touch someone by accident with a foot and the standard silent apology is a quick touch to their arm, then to your own chest.

Know

Tipping is a soft 5-10%

Restaurants with a printed bill sometimes already add a service charge, so check before adding more. Where there's none, 5-10% in cash is generous; a rounded-up fare or a small note for a porter or driver is plenty elsewhere.

Avoid

Don't expect punctuality to the minute

Casual social plans run on flexible time — turning up 15-30 minutes after the stated time is normal and rarely remarked on. Trains and flights are the exception: show up on schedule for those.

Know

Shoes come off at the door

Shoes are left outside a home, and always before entering a temple, mosque, or gurdwara — look for the pile of sandals and follow it. Socks are usually fine to keep on.

Cover your head in a gurdwara

Any Sikh gurdwara asks visitors to cover their head — a scarf is usually offered at the door if you don't have one — and to wash your hands before entering. The free communal meal, லங்கர் (LUNG-gar), afterward is open to absolutely everyone.

Know

Bargaining is expected at markets, not shops

Fixed-price shops with an MRP tag don't move on price, but street markets and unmetered auto fares are genuinely expected to be haggled — starting around half the quoted price and meeting in the middle is normal, not rude.

Avoid

Don't assume everyone eats the same way

Dietary norms vary hugely by region and religion — many Hindus avoid beef, many Muslims avoid pork, and a large share of the country eats vegetarian only, but none of it is universal. When in doubt, just ask rather than assume.

Food & drink to try

The plates and glasses worth going out of your way for — each with the name as you'd say it out loud.

North India

பட்டர் சிக்கன் BUT-tar CHIK-kun

chicken simmered in a creamy tomato-and-butter gravy, Delhi's most exported dish

சோலே பதூரே SOH-lay puh-THOO-ray

spiced chickpeas with a pillowy deep-fried bread, a Punjabi breakfast classic

பராத்தா puh-RAAT-tah

a flaky pan-fried flatbread, often stuffed with spiced potato or paneer

லஸ்ஸி LUS-see

a thick chilled yogurt drink, sweet or salted, the north's answer to a milkshake

South India

தோசை THOH-sai

a thin, crisp fermented rice-and-lentil crepe, served with chutney and a lentil stew

இட்லி ID-lee

soft steamed rice-and-lentil cakes, the everyday South Indian breakfast

சாம்பார் SAAM-baar

a tangy, tamarind-soured lentil stew with vegetables, poured over dosa or rice

ஃபில்டர் காபி FIL-tar KAA-pee

strong coffee brewed through a metal filter, mixed with hot milk and poured tall to froth it

West & Coastal India

பாவ் பாஜி POW BAA-jee

a mashed, spiced vegetable curry served with buttered soft rolls, a Mumbai street staple

வடா பாவ் VAH-daa POW

a spiced potato fritter stuffed into a bread roll, Mumbai's answer to a burger

கோவா மீன் கறி KOH-vaa MEEN kuh-REE

a coconut-and-tamarind fish curry from Goa, sour, spicy, and bright red

ஃபெனி FEH-nee

a strong Goan spirit distilled from cashew apple or coconut sap, drunk neat or with soda

Make it stick

Test the four channels.

Understanding Tamil by ear, reading, recall, and your own mouth. Quick rounds — do them twice.