Why Learn the Top 100 Common Tamil Words and Phrases for Daily Use?
Learning a new language starts with its essentials. With the top 100 common Tamil words and phrases for daily use, you equip yourself for practical, real-life communication. Whether it’s for travel, friendship, work, or exploring Tamil culture, learning these core words is the first joyful step to fluency.
The top 100 common Tamil words and phrases for daily use are handpicked for clarity, simplicity, and everyday relevance. Let’s begin!
The Complete List: Top 100 Common Tamil Words and Phrases for Daily Use
| Tamil Script | Pronunciation | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1. வணக்கம் | vanakkam | Hello / Greetings |
| 2. எப்படி இருக்கீங்க? | eppadi irukkeenga? | How are you? |
| 3. நன்றி | nandri | Thank you |
| 4. தயவு செய்து | dayavu seythu | Please |
| 5. மன்னிக்கவும் | mannikkavum | Sorry |
| 6. ஆம் | aam | Yes |
| 7. இல்லை | illai | No |
| 8. எப்பொழுது | eppozhuthu | When |
| 9. எங்கே | enge | Where |
| 10. என்ன | enna | What |
| 11. என் பெயர்… | en peyar… | My name is… |
| 12. உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன? | ungal peyar enna? | What is your name? |
| 13. மகிழ்ச்சி | magizhchi | Happy |
| 14. நட்பா | natpa | Friend (casual) |
| 15. சொந்தம் | sondham | Relative/Relation |
| 16. குடும்பம் | kudumbam | Family |
| 17. குழந்தை | kuzhandhai | Child |
| 18. அம்மா | amma | Mother |
| 19. அப்பா | appa | Father |
| 20. மகன் | magan | Son |
| 21. மகள் | magal | Daughter |
| 22. சகோதரி | sagothari | Sister |
| 23. சகோதரன் | sagotharan | Brother |
| 24. நண்பர் | nanbar | Friend (formal, male) |
| 25. தோழி | thozhi | Friend (female) |
| 26. பையன் | paiyan | Boy |
| 27. பெண் | pen | Girl |
| 28. பட்டி | patti | Grandmother |
| 29. தாத்தா | thatha | Grandfather |
| 30. வீடு | veedu | House |
| 31. பள்ளி | palli | School |
| 32. அலுவலகம் | aluvagam | Office |
| 33. கடை | kadai | Shop |
| 34. சந்தை | sandhai | Market |
| 35. உணவு | unavu | Food |
| 36. தண்ணீர் | thanneer | Water |
| 37. பசிக்குது | pasikkuthu | (I am) Hungry |
| 38. பருப்பு | paruppu | Dhal (Lentils) |
| 39. சாதம் | saadham | Rice |
| 40. இளநீர் | ilanir | Coconut water |
| 41. காய்கறி | kaikari | Vegetables |
| 42. பழம் | pazham | Fruit |
| 43. காப்பி | kaapi | Coffee |
| 44. டீ | tee | Tea |
| 45. சாப்பாடு | saapadu | Meal |
| 46. நேரம் | neram | Time |
| 47. இப்போது | ippodhu | Now |
| 48. இன்று | indru | Today |
| 49. நாளை | naalai | Tomorrow |
| 50. நேற்று | netru | Yesterday |
| 51. மணி | mani | Hour / Clock |
| 52. காலை | kaalai | Morning |
| 53. மதியம் | madhiyam | Afternoon |
| 54. மாலை | maalai | Evening |
| 55. இரவு | iravu | Night |
| 56. கடிகாரம் | kadigaaram | Clock |
| 57. ஒரு | oru | One |
| 58. இரண்டு | irandu | Two |
| 59. மூன்று | moonru | Three |
| 60. நான்கு | naangu | Four |
| 61. ஐந்து | aindu | Five |
| 62. ஆறு | aaru | Six |
| 63. ஏழு | ezhu | Seven |
| 64. எட்டு | ettu | Eight |
| 65. ஒன்பது | onbadhu | Nine |
| 66. பத்து | paththu | Ten |
| 67. பெரிய | periya | Big |
| 68. சிறியது | siriya | Small |
| 69. நல்ல | nalla | Good |
| 70. கேட்டு | ketttu | Ask |
| 71. சொல்லவும் | sollavum | Please say / Tell |
| 72. பாருங்க | paarunga | Look |
| 73. பார்ப்பேன் | paarpeyn | (I will) See |
| 74. கிளம்புங்கள் | kilambungal | Please leave/Go |
| 75. வாருங்கள் | vaarungal | Please come |
| 76. எடுத்துக்கொள் | eduthukkol | Take |
| 77. கொடுங்கள் | kodungal | Give |
| 78. காசு | kaasu | Money |
| 79. எவ்வளவு? | evvalavu? | How much? |
| 80. குறைவா இருக்குமா? | kuraiva irukkuma? | Is it less/discount? |
| 81. தெரியவில்லை | theriyavillai | (I) don’t know |
| 82. தெரியும் | theriyum | (I) know |
| 83. சந்தேகம் | sandhegam | Doubt |
| 84. உதவி | uthavi | Help |
| 85. இருங்கள் | irungal | Wait |
| 86. வெளியே | veliye | Outside |
| 87. உள்ளே | uLLe | Inside |
| 88. அருகில் | arugil | Near |
| 89. தொலைவில் | tholaivil | Far |
| 90. வண்டி | vandi | Vehicle/Car |
| 91. பேருந்து | perunthu | Bus |
| 92. ரயில் | rayil | Train |
| 93. விமானம் | vimanam | Plane |
| 94. தடை | thadai | Stop |
| 95. சாலை | saalai | Road |
| 96. ஊர் | oor | Town/Village |
| 97. நகரம் | nagaram | City |
| 98. மருத்துவர் | maruththuvaar | Doctor |
| 99. மருத்துவமனை | maruththuvarmanai | Hospital |
| 100. பொது வசதி | podhu vasathi | Public facility/Amenity |
Top 100 Common Tamil Words and Phrases for Daily Use in Real Life
- Start each morning by greeting your family with “வணக்கம்” (Vanakkam).
- Use “நன்றி” (Nandri) often—it’s one of the most important words in any language!
- When shopping, ask “எவ்வளவு?” (Evvalavu? – How much?).
- At a restaurant, request “தண்ணீர்” (Thanneer – Water) and say “தயவு செய்து” (Dayavu Seythu – Please).
- Greet elders with “வணக்கம்” and show respect using “தாங்கள்”.
Tips for Rapid Progress
- Memorize 10 of the top 100 common Tamil words and phrases for daily use each day.
- Write vocabulary flashcards with Tamil/English/Pronunciation.
- Listen to audio examples to hear native pronunciation.
- Practice with a friend or teacher—speaking boosts retention.
- Repeat daily for best results!
Success Stories
1. Emma – Building Friendships in Chennai
Emma, from Australia, moved to Chennai for work. Knowing English wasn’t enough to connect deeply, she started learning Tamil using online conversational lessons focused on everyday phrases and polite speech. Within months, Emma was greeting neighbors with “Vanakkam,” asking for directions, and having simple chats in Tamil. This made locals more open and friendly, and she soon had a circle of Tamil-speaking friends who invited her to cultural events. Emma’s language skills helped her feel truly at home abroad.
2. James – Improving Customer Service in Sri Lanka
James, a British expat based in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, learned Tamil to better support Tamil-speaking customers. By mastering common respectful conversational phrases and local expressions, he communicated clearly, resolved issues faster, and gained customers’ trust. His effort was appreciated by colleagues and management alike, earning him a promotion in his company’s customer relations department.
3. Lina – Enjoying Tamil Culture in Singapore
Lina, originally from Germany, fell in love with Tamil cinema and music. Eager to understand lyrics and dialogues, she took an online Tamil course emphasizing colloquial conversations and respect forms as spoken by Tamil Singaporeans. Her ability to interact in Tamil at community events deepened her appreciation of the culture and helped her make friends within the Tamil community in Singapore.
Conclusion
Starting with the top 100 common Tamil words and phrases for daily use makes your journey smoother, faster, and more enjoyable. Bookmark this page and return often to refresh your memory. For further practice, guided lessons, and audio material, visit learntamilonline.com!
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