Are you travelling in Tamil Nadu for vacation or a business trip and want to learn Tamil? While I’m sure you will enjoy the rich culture, amazing food, beautiful beaches and all the opportunities Tamil Nadu has to offer, there will also be this feeling that you cannot understand this new language being spoken all around you. From auto drivers to shopkeepers to house owners, everyone around you speaks Tamil, and you want to learn enough Tamil to get by.
The good news is that learning Tamil is not too difficult with the right guidance! And that’s exactly what I’m here to do for you today. This article will give you the 30 most essential survival Tamil phrases every newcomer to Chennai must know. These phrases will make your life easier and help you navigate the city right from Day 1!
Furthermore, Chennai runs on Tanglish, not pure Tamil, and that’s how we’ve designed these essential Tamil phrases too – not pure textbook Tamil, but natural sentences that you can actually speak with locals.
So come, Vaanga, let’s get started!
30 Essential Survival Tamil Phrases
1. Vanakkam – Hello
Pronounced Va-nak-kam, and said with a hands-closed Namaste gesture
Respectful, friendly, and used everywhere.
Example: “Vanakkam uncle, Vanakkam aunty!”
2. Saaptingala? – Have you eaten?
One of the most Chennai things you will hear in the city. Can be used any time of the day.
Example: “Vanakkam sir! Saaptingala?”
3. Pannunga – Do
The most powerful Tamil word for survival! Add pannunga to any English word to turn it into Tamil.
Example: “Discount pannunga”, “Wait pannunga”, “Bill pannunga”, “Email pannunga”, “Call pannunga”, “Exchange pannunga”, “Repair pannunga”, “Adjust pannunga”.
4. Evlo? – How much?
Pronounced Ev-lo.
Perfect for shopping, autos, and buses.
Example: “Anna, Bisleri water bottle evlo?”
5. Epdi irukkeenga? – How are you, or, Are you ok?
The standard way to say How are you in Tamil
Example: “Vanakkam uncle! Epdi irukkeenga?”
6. Nallaa irukken – I am fine
Standard reply to I am fine in Tamil
Example: “Nallaa irukken, thank you.”
7. Unga peru enna – What is your name
The msot important sentence in Tamil or any language when meeting new people in a new city
Example: “Ungal peru enna madam?”
8. En peyar Mukesh – My name is Mukesh
Replace Mukesh with your own name. Pronounced Yen-peyr.
Example: “En peyar Ritu. I’m the new tenant.”
9. Eduththukonga – Take
Universal word for giving something, including giving directions. It’s a long word, and is pronounced “Edu-ttu-ko-nga”
To an auto driver: “Left eduththukonga, next signal right eduththukonga”
Or at a shop: “5 rupees change eduththukonga.”
10. Kudunga – Give
Very useful while shopping or at a restaurant.
Example: “5 rupees change kudunga”
11. Poyittu varen – Bye, or I will come back
“Poyittu varen” literally means “I’ll go and come back”. In Tamil culture, it is inauspicious to say “I’m going away”, so you instead say that you’re going now but coming back in the future.
Example: “Okay akka, poyittu varen!”
12. Enna – What
Useful for clarifications.
Example: “Enna problem sir?”
13. Enga – Where
Very useful for directions.
Example: “Anna, metro station enga?”
14. Vaanga – Please Come in, or Welcome
Means “Please come”, but often used like “Welcome”.
Example: “Vaanga vaanga… Saapda vaanga!” (Come, come eat!)
15. Niruthunga – Stop
To stop an auto or bus.
Example: “Anna, left side niruthunga.”
16. Aama – Yes
Standard way to say “Yes” in Tamil
Example: “Aama, Gpay done.” (“Yes, Gpay done”)
17. Illai – No
Standard way to say “No” in Tamil
Example: “Change illai, Google Pay pannunga.”
18. Venum – Want
Useful when talking to the waiter
Example: “Extra sambar venum”
19. Vendaam – Don’t want
Example: “1 coffee, sugar vendaam.”
20. Podhum – Enough
Keep this word in mind when you order that unlimited South Indian meals.
Example: “Rice podhum!”
21. Theriyadhu – I don’t know
Example: “New to Chennai. Tamil theriyadhu.”
22. Naan Tamil kathukren – I am learning Tamil
Example: “New to Tamil Nadu. Naan Tamil kathukren.”
People love hearing this!
23. En sondha ooru Delhi – My hometown is Delhi
“Sondha ooru” means hometown. Replace Delhi with your place.
Example: “En sondha ooru Kolkata.”
24. Velai – Work
Useful word that means “work” as the noun or verb.
Example: “Velai pannunga”
25. Konjam – A little
You’ll hear this everywhere.
Example: “Konjam wait pannunga”, “Konjam adjust pannunga”, “Konjam konjam Tamil theriyum”.
26. Sari– Okay
Very commonly used in everyday life.
Example: “Sari, poyittu varen.”
27. Thanni – Water
It is always a good idea to learn the local word for water in any new place you are in.
Example: “Oru glass thanni kudunga” (“Please give me a glass of water”)
28. Inga – Here ; Anga – There
Important for directions. “inga” and “anga” are siblings, just like here and there.
Example: “Auto anna, inga right, anga left.”
29. Polaam – Let’s go
You’ll hear this often around lunch break or at the end of office hours
Example: “Vaanga, canteen polaam!” (Come let’s go to the canteen)
30. Nandri – Thank you
This word is simple and powerful. “Nandri” means “Thank you” in Tamil and is perfectly polite in all situations.
Quick Recap: Tamil Survival Phrase List
| Sl no | English Phrase | Tamil Phrase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hello | Vanakkam |
| 2 | Have you eaten? | Saaptingala? |
| 3 | Do | Pannunga |
| 4 | How much? | Evlo? |
| 5 | How are you? | Epdi irukkeenga? |
| 6 | I am fine | Nallaa irukken |
| 7 | What is your name? | Unga peyar enna? |
| 8 | My name is Mukesh | En peyar Mukesh |
| 9 | Take | Eduththukonga |
| 10 | Give | Kudunga |
| 11 | Goodbye / I’ll come back | Poyittu varen |
| 12 | What | Enna |
| 13 | Where | Enga |
| 14 | Welcome / Please come | Vaanga |
| 15 | Stop | Niruthunga |
| 16 | Yes | Aama |
| 17 | No | Illai |
| 18 | Want | Venum |
| 19 | Don’t want | Vendaam |
| 20 | Enough | Podhum |
| 21 | I don’t know | Theriyadhu |
| 22 | I am learning Tamil | Naan Tamil kathukren |
| 23 | My hometown is Delhi | En sondha ooru Delhi |
| 24 | Work | Velai |
| 25 | A little | Konjam |
| 26 | Okay | Sari |
| 27 | Water | Thanni |
| 28 | Here / There | Inga / Anga |
| 29 | Let’s go | Polaam |
| 30 | Thank you | Nandri |
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