Tamil phrase guide
Tamil phrases for festivals and celebrations, with meanings
Here are 14 everyday Tamil phrases for festivals and celebrations, 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: “Pongal nalvaazhthukkal!” (பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!), which means “Happy Pongal!”.
14 Tamil phrases for festivals and celebrations
Real lines from 4 Shinar scenes: Happy Pongal!, Tamil New Year, Happy Deepavali, Jasmine for the temple.
| English | Tamil |
|---|---|
| Happy Pongal! | Pongal nalvaazhthukkal!பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்! |
| Paati, what is this? | Paati, idhu enna?பாட்டி, இது என்ன? |
| Happy Deepavali! | Deepavali vaazhthukkal!தீபாவளி வாழ்த்துக்கள்! |
| Akka, these flowers are so pretty! | Akka, indha poo romba azhagaa irukku!அக்கா, இந்த பூ ரொம்ப அழகா இருக்கு! |
| Same to you! Did you bring kites? | Unakkum! Pattam kondu vandhiyaa?உனக்கும்! பட்டம் கொண்டு வந்தியா? |
| This is maanga pachadi. It has six tastes. | Idhu maanga pachadi. Idhula aaru ruchi irukku.இது மாங்கா பச்சடி. இதுல ஆறு ருசி இருக்கு. |
| Same to you! Come, let's light the lamps. | Ungalukkum! Vaanga, vilakku yethalaam.உங்களுக்கும்! வாங்க, விளக்கு ஏத்தலாம். |
| These are jasmine flowers, for the temple festival. | Idhu malligai poo, kovil thiruvizhaavukku.இது மல்லிகை பூ, கோயில் திருவிழாவுக்கு. |
| Yes, five kites and lots of thread. | Aamaa, anju pattam, nerayaa nool.ஆமா, அஞ்சு பட்டம், நிறைய நூல். |
| Six tastes? Which ones? | Aaru ruchiyaa? Enna enna?ஆறு ருசியா? என்ன என்ன? |
| Where are the crackers? | Pattaasu enga?பட்டாசு எங்க? |
| How do we string them? | Eppadi kattanum?எப்படி கட்டணும்? |
| Let's go up to the terrace. | Vaa, maadikku polaam.வா, மாடிக்கு போலாம். |
| Sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, salty and astringent. | Inippu, pulippu, kasappu, kaaram, uppu, thuvarppu.இனிப்பு, புளிப்பு, கசப்பு, காரம், உப்பு, துவர்ப்பு. |
Key Tamil words in these phrases
| Tamil | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pongal | Pongal (harvest festival) |
| nalvaazhthukkal | best wishes |
| paati | grandma |
| idhu | this |
| enna | what |
| deepavali | Deepavali |
| vaazhthukkal | wishes |
| akka | elder sister |
| indha | these |
| poo | flowers |
| romba | so |
| azhagaa irukku | are pretty |
| unakkum | to you too |
| pattam | kite |
| kondu vandhiyaa | did you bring |
| maanga pachadi | raw-mango pachadi |
Questions about Tamil for festivals and celebrations
How do you say “Happy Pongal!” in Tamil?
“Pongal nalvaazhthukkal!” (பொங்கல் நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்!). This phrase comes from the Shinar scene “Happy Pongal!”.
What are common Tamil words for festivals and celebrations?
Some of the first Tamil words you will hear in these conversations: pongal (Pongal (harvest festival)), nalvaazhthukkal (best wishes), paati (grandma), idhu (this), enna (what), deepavali (Deepavali).
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 (Happy Pongal!, Tamil New Year, Happy Deepavali, Jasmine for the temple). You hear the scene in English first, then in Tamil, then learn every word. Shinar is coming soon to Google Play.