OoruLearn Tamil: survival phrases for Chennai
Tamil is the language of Tamil Nadu and of everyday life in Chennai. These are the phrases newcomers use most: greetings, talking to auto drivers, asking directions, ordering at a hotel or mess, shopping and getting help. Each one is written the way it sounds in spoken Chennai Tamil, so there is no script to learn.
One-line survival kit
If you learn only five lines, make it these:
- Enakku Tamil theriyaadhu: I don't know Tamil
- English pesuveengala?: Do you speak English?
- Idhu evlo?: How much is this?
- Inga niruthunga: Stop here
- Konjam udhavi pannunga: Please help me
Basic Politeness
| English | Tamil (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Hello | Vanakkam |
| Thank you | Nandri |
| Thank you very much | Romba nandri |
| Yes | Aamaa |
| No | Illa |
| Okay | Sari |
| Sorry | Mannichidunga |
| Please say that again | Thirumba sollunga |
| I don't understand | Puriyala |
| I understand a little Tamil | Konjam Tamil puriyum |
Asking Directions
| English | Tamil (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Where is this? | Idhu enga irukku? |
| Where is [place]? | [place] enga irukku? |
| How far? | Evlo dhooram? |
| Is it nearby? | Pakkathula irukka? |
| Go straight | Nera ponga |
| Left side | Idathu pakkam |
| Right side | Valathu pakkam |
| Here / There | Inga / Anga |
| Which bus goes to [place]? | [place]-ku endha bus pogum? |
Auto / Cab / Bus
| English | Tamil (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| How much to [place]? | [place]-ku evlo? |
| Too much | Romba jaasthi |
| Please reduce a little | Konjam kammi pannunga |
| Please turn on the meter | Meter podunga |
| Stop here | Inga niruthunga |
| I need to go to [place] | Naan [place]-ku poganum |
| Turn here | Inga thirumbunga |
| Go slowly | Medhuva ponga |
Ordering Food
| English | Tamil (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| I want this | Enakku idhu venum |
| What is this? | Idhu enna? |
| Less spicy | Kaaram kammiya |
| No sugar | Sakkarai venaam |
| Water | Thanni |
| One more | Innum onnu |
| That's enough | Podhum |
| One coffee | Oru coffee |
| Bill please | Bill kudunga |
| Very tasty | Romba nalla irukku |
Shopping
| English | Tamil (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| How much is this? | Idhu evlo? |
| Give me one | Onnu kudunga |
| Give me two | Rendu kudunga |
| Do you have change? | Chillarai irukka? |
| Please pack it | Pack pannunga |
| Can I pay by UPI? | GPay pannalaama? |
Emergency / Help
| English | Tamil (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Help! (Save me!) | Kaapaathunga! |
| Please help | Udhavi pannunga |
| Call the police | Police-a koopidunga |
| Where is the hospital? | Hospital enga irukku? |
| I am lost | Naan vazhi thavaritten |
| I need a doctor | Enakku doctor venum |
Small Talk
| English | Tamil (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| How are you? | Eppadi irukkeenga? |
| I'm fine | Nalla irukken |
| What is your name? | Unga per enna? |
| My name is… | En per… |
| Which town are you from? | Neenga endha ooru? |
| My home town is… | En ooru… |
| Have you eaten? (a common greeting) | Saapteengala? |
| Come in (polite) | Vaanga |
| Let's go | Polaam |
| See you later | Apram paakalaam |
Chennai Slang
| English | Tamil (say it like this) |
|---|---|
| Buddy, mate | Machi / Machan |
| Awesome | Semma |
| Stylish, cool | Gethu |
| Boring, or a lame joke | Mokka |
| Larger than life, crowd-pleasing | Mass |
| Hey! (only to close friends) | Dei |
Cultural tip
Chennai rewards the effort to speak Tamil. Adding "-nga" to the end of a request (vaanga, ponga, sollunga) makes it polite, and that one habit goes a long way with elders, shopkeepers and auto drivers. Mixing Tamil and English, the way Chennai does, is perfectly fine.
Tamil questions people ask
How do you say thank you in Tamil?
Thank you in Tamil is "Nandri", and "Romba nandri" means thank you very much. In everyday Chennai conversation many people simply say "thanks".
How do you say hello in Tamil?
"Vanakkam" is the standard greeting. It works as hello and as a respectful greeting at any time of day, often with palms pressed together.
How do I say "I don't know Tamil" in Tamil?
Say "Enakku Tamil theriyaadhu". Follow it with "English pesuveengala?" to ask whether the person speaks English.
How do you ask "how much" in Tamil?
"Idhu evlo?" means "How much is this?". In an auto, ask "[place]-ku evlo?" for the fare to a place, and "Meter podunga" to ask for the meter.
What does "machi" mean?
"Machi" or "machan" means buddy or mate in Chennai slang. Keep it for friends of your own age: it is far too casual for elders or strangers.
How can I learn Tamil quickly?
Start with the five survival lines on this page and use them every day with auto drivers, shopkeepers and hotel staff. Adding "-nga" to a verb makes it polite (sollunga, vaanga, ponga), which is how Chennai speaks to anyone older or unfamiliar.
More in our guides: our Chennai city guide and Saapadu, our Chennai food guide.