Tamil phrase guide
Tamil phrases for family, with meanings
Here are 14 everyday Tamil phrases for family, taken from real conversations in Shinar's Tamil course, set in Chennai. Each phrase is written in English letters with Tamil script alongside, and its English meaning. A good one to start with: “Paati! Eppadi irukkeenga?” (பாட்டி! எப்படி இருக்கீங்க?), which means “Paati! How are you?”.
14 Tamil phrases for family
Real lines from 7 Shinar scenes: Visiting Paati, How was your day?, Homework time, Calling Amma, At a Tamil wedding and more.
| English | Tamil |
|---|---|
| Paati! How are you? | Paati! Eppadi irukkeenga?பாட்டி! எப்படி இருக்கீங்க? |
| Lakshmi, how was your day? | Lakshmi, inniki naal eppadi pochu?லக்ஷ்மி, இன்னிக்கு நாள் எப்படி போச்சு? |
| Chellam, is your homework done? | Chellam, homework mudinjudhaa?செல்லம், ஹோம்வர்க் முடிஞ்சுதா? |
| Hello Amma, how are you? | Hello Amma, eppadi irukka?ஹலோ அம்மா, எப்படி இருக்க? |
| Chithi, when is the muhurtham? | Chithi, muhurtham eppo?சித்தி, முகூர்த்தம் எப்போ? |
| Vanakkam, aunty. I’m Ananya. | Vanakkam, aunty. Naan Ananya.வணக்கம், ஆன்ட்டி. நான் அனன்யா. |
| Sindhu! It's been so long since I saw you! | Sindhu! Unna paathu evvalavu naal aachu!சிந்து! உன்ன பாத்து எவ்வளவு நாள் ஆச்சு! |
| Come, dear! You've become so thin. | Vaa kanna! Romba ilaichutta.வா கண்ணா! ரொம்ப இளைச்சுட்ட. |
| Very busy. The house help didn't come today. | Romba busy. Inniki veetu vela amma varala.ரொம்ப பிஸி. இன்னிக்கு வீட்டு வேலை அம்மா வரல. |
| Not yet, Appa. Maths is hard. | Innum illa, Appa. Maths kashtamaa irukku.இன்னும் இல்ல, அப்பா. மேத்ஸ் கஷ்டமா இருக்கு. |
| I'm fine, dear. Did you eat? | Nallaa irukken kanna. Saapittiyaa?நல்லா இருக்கேன் கண்ணா. சாப்பிட்டியா? |
| At eleven thirty. | Padhinonnarai manikku.பதினொன்றரை மணிக்கு. |
| Come in, dear. Did you find the house easily? | Vaamma, ulla vaa. Veedu easy-aa kidaichudhaa?வாம்மா, உள்ள வா. வீடு ஈஸியா கிடைச்சுதா? |
| Harsha anna! Yes, it’s been three years. | Harsha anna! Aamaa, moonu varusham aachu.ஹர்ஷா அண்ணா! ஆமா, மூணு வருஷம் ஆச்சு. |
Key Tamil words in these phrases
| Tamil | Meaning |
|---|---|
| paati | grandma |
| eppadi | how |
| irukkeenga | are you |
| inniki | today |
| naal | day |
| pochu | went |
| chellam | sweetheart |
| mudinjudhaa | is it done |
| amma | mum |
| irukka | are you |
| chithi | aunt (mother’s younger sister) |
| muhurtham | auspicious time |
| eppo | when |
| vanakkam | hello (respectful) |
| naan | I am |
| unna | you |
Questions about Tamil for family
How do you say “Paati! How are you?” in Tamil?
“Paati! Eppadi irukkeenga?” (பாட்டி! எப்படி இருக்கீங்க?). This phrase comes from the Shinar scene “Visiting Paati”.
What are common Tamil words for family?
Some of the first Tamil words you will hear in these conversations: paati (grandma), eppadi (how), irukkeenga (are you), inniki (today), naal (day), pochu (went).
Are these Tamil phrases formal or everyday?
They are everyday spoken Tamil as heard in Chennai, including the English words people naturally mix in, not textbook-formal Tamil.
How can I practise these Tamil phrases?
Each phrase comes from a full conversation in Shinar (Visiting Paati, How was your day?, Homework time, Calling Amma). You hear the scene in English first, then in Tamil, then learn every word. Shinar is coming soon to Google Play.