Fun with Tamil: Your Child’s First Steps to Conversational Tamil

By Senior Tamil Tutor Varsha Ramani

Vanakkam (வணக்கம்) kutties (குட்டீஸ் – little ones)! Learning a new language is like unlocking a secret code to a new world, and for kids, it’s an adventure! To start with, we can learn simple greetings and everyday words. This is the heart of kids conversational Tamil – making it fun, easy, and relevant to their daily lives.
In this blog, we’ll explore some basic Tamil words and phrases. Learning these simple expressions will build the kid’s confidence and ignite a lifelong love for the language.

Why is Conversational Tamil Important for Kids?

Learning a language helps the kids to achieve the following things:

1. Cultural Connection: It helps them connect with their heritage or a new culture.
2. Brain Development: Research shows that learning a second language boosts cognitive skills.
3. Confidence Booster: Using new words successfully gives children a great sense of accomplishment.
4. Communication Skills: It’s a steppingstone to better communication in general.

Our approach at learntamilonline.com focuses on making kids conversational Tamil an enjoyable and interactive experience.

Let’s Start with Simple Greetings (Valthukkal – வாழ்த்துக்கள்)!

Greetings are the foundation of any conversation. These simple Tamil greetings will enable them to say hello, goodbye, and thank you like a pro!

1.Hello / Welcome: Vanakkam (வணக்கம்)

This is the most common and versatile greeting in Tamil. Your child can use it to say “hello” to anyone, anytime!

Try it: “Vanakkam, Amma!” (வணக்கம், அம்மா!), “Vanakkam, Appa!” (வணக்கம், அப்பா!)

2.Thank You: Nandri (நன்றி)

A very important word to teach for good manners.

Try it: If someone gives them a toy, they can say, “Nandri!”

3.Please: Dayavu Seithu (தயவு செய்து)

Though often conveyed through tone in Tamil, this phrase is a polite way to ask for something.

Try it: “Dayavu seithu, enaku oru biscuit kodunga.” (தயவு செய்து, எனக்கு ஒரு பிஸ்கட் கொடுங்கள்.) – Please give me a biscuit.

4.Goodbye: Poittu varugiren (போயிட்டு வருகிறேன்) or Varugiren (வருகிறேன்)

Literally “I’ll go and come back,” a polite way to say goodbye, even if you’re just going to another room! “Varugiren” is a shorter, common alternative.

Try it: “Poittu varugiren, Appa!”

These simple phrases are excellent starting points for kids conversational Tamil. Encourage your child to use them daily!

Essential Everyday Words for Kids

Children learn best by associating words with things they see and do every day. Here are some basic categories to get started:

1. People Around Us (Makkal – மக்கள்)

2. Objects Around the House (Porutkal – பொருட்கள்)

• Veed (வீடு): House
• Puthagam (புத்தகம்): Book
• Vilayattu (விளையாட்டு): Play/Game
• Thaaneer (தண்ணீர்): Water
• Paal (பால்): Milk

3. Simple Actions (Seyalgal – செயல்கள்)

• Saapidu (சாப்பிடு): Eat (informal, for kids)
• Kudi (குடி): Drink (informal, for kids)
• Va (வா): Come
• Po (போ): Go
• Paaru (பாரு): See/Look

4. Feelings and Requests (Unarvugal – உணர்வுகள்)

• Nallaa irukken (நல்லா இருக்கேன்): I am fine / good
• Pasikudhu (பசிக்குது): I am hungry
• Thookam varudhu (தூக்கம் வருது): I am sleepy
• Vendam (வேண்டாம்): Don’t want / No
• Venum (வேணும்): Want / Yes

Making Learning Fun: Tips for Parents!

• Practice Daily: Use these words regularly at home. Even a few minutes a day make a difference.
• Flashcards & Pictures: Visual aids are great for young learners.
• Songs & Rhymes: Music is a fantastic way for kids to absorb new language. Search for simple Tamil children’s songs!
• Story Time: Point to objects in Tamil while reading stories.
• Be Patient: Learning takes time. Celebrate every small step.
• Join a Class: For structured learning and expert guidance, consider enrolling them in a class. This is where focused kids conversational Tamil truly shines.

At learntamilonline.com, our lessons for children are designed to be engaging and interactive, using stories, games, and songs to teach kids conversational Tamil in a natural and fun way.

Your Child’s Tamil Adventure Starts Here!

Give your child the gift of a new language and a connection to a vibrant culture. At https://learntamilonline.com, we specialize in making Tamil accessible and enjoyable for young learners. Our experienced tutors are experts in teaching kids conversational Tamil through methods that keep them engaged and eager to learn more.

Exciting Offers for Young Learners!

• Free Demo Class: Let your child try out a class for free and see how much fun learning Tamil can be!
• Family Discount: Enrolling siblings? Enjoy special discounts for multiple children.
• Interactive Learning Kits: New students receive a complimentary digital learning kit with flashcards and activity sheets.

We are committed to providing a supportive and encouraging environment for your child’s language journey. Contact us today to learn more and enroll your little one!

Contact Details

Visit us at https://learntamilonline.com

Call us at ‪+91-8870455244‬

Email us at [email protected].

We are also available on WhatsApp and Telegram @ to answer your queries and schedule classes. Let’s make learning Tamil an exciting adventure for your chill

Exercises for practice: Basic Tamil for Kids

Exercise 1: Trace and speak!

• Instructions: Trace the Tamil script and then say the word aloud.
• Words:

1. வணக்கம் (Vanakkam) – Hello
2. நன்றி (Nandri) – Thank You
3. அம்மா (Amma) – Mother
4. அப்பா (Appa) – Father
5. நீர் (Thaaneer) – Water

Exercise 2: Draw and Color!

• Instructions: Draw a picture for each Tamil word and then color it.
• Words:

1. அப்பா (Appa)
2. பால் (Paal)
3. விளையாட்டு (Vilayattu)

Exercise 3: Role Play!

• Instructions: Practice these simple conversations with an adult or a friend.
• Conversation 1:

• Child A: Vanakkam!
• Child B: Vanakkam!

Conversation 2:

• Child A: Enaku Thaaneer venum. (எனக்கு தண்ணீர் வேணும் – I want water.)
• Child B: (Gives water)
• Child A: Nandri! (நன்றி!)