Language/Tamil/Vocabulary/Idiomatic-Expressions

Tamil Vocabulary - Idiomatic expressions

Hi Tamil learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn some common Tamil idiomatic expressions. Understanding idioms is essential to becoming fluent in any language as they are frequently used in daily conversation. Idioms are phrases that have a figurative meaning that is different from their literal meaning.

What are idiomatic expressions?

Idiomatic expressions are groups of words that, when taken together, have a meaning that is different from the literal meaning of each individual word. Tamil, like any other language, is full of such expressions. Learning idiomatic expressions will not only make your Tamil more colourful, it will also help you to better understand the language.

Idiomatic expressions in Tamil

Here are some of the most common idiomatic expressions in Tamil:

Tamil	Pronunciation	English
அவனுக்கு தாவேறாது, செங்கீராது	Avanukku thaaveradhu, sengiraadhu	He can't wait, he's burning up
கீழ்காலை நஷ்டம்	Keelkālai naṣṭam	Loss incurred in the morning (implying a lack of focus)
பின்னரே பார்க்கலாம்	Piṉṉarē pārkkalām	We'll see later
கறவை பறக்காது	KaraVAi paṟakkātu	The bird cannot fly (to imply a helpless situation)
வைத்திருந்து வாய் பயமாக	Vickthirundhu vai payamāga	Fear as though bitten by the mouth that fed them (to imply ungratefulness)
ஒளிமாறி உடையவன்	Oḷimāṟi uḍaiyavan	One who wears a veil (implying dishonesty)

Examples in context

Let's see these idiomatic expressions being used in context:

• Person 1: அவனுக்கு தாவேறாது, செங்கீராது (Avanukku thaaveradhu, sengiraadhu - He can't wait, he's burning up)
• Person 2: அவன் வந்து இப்போது வேறொரு முறை தாவேற முடியாது (Avan vandhu ipothu veraoru murai thaavera mudiyadhu - He can't wait any longer)

Here, person 1 uses the idiom to describe someone who is impatient and eager. In response, person 2 uses another idiomatic expression to say that the person is unable to wait any longer.

• Person 1: பின்னரே பார்க்கலாம் (Piṉṉarē pārkkalām - We'll see later)
• Person 2: அதனால் நம்மை சந்திக்க வேண்டும் (Adhanāl nammai sandhikka vendum - That's why we need to meet later)

Here, person 1 uses a common idiomatic expression to suggest that they'll decide later, where person 2 responds by agreeing and giving additional context why they have to meet later.

Conclusion

Tamil idiomatic expressions are important to understand because they can add colour and nuance to your daily conversations with native speakers. Remember to practice using these expressions, as it will help you remember them better. To improve your Tamil vocabulary further, check out the Tamil Vocabulary on Polyglot Club. And if you want to practice with native speakers, be sure to find native speakers and ask them any questions you have.

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Sources

• Important Idioms explained in tamil | Idioms and phrases | vocabulary
• Tamil Vocabulary - Idiomatic expressions
• Idioms and Phrases with Tamil meaning|TNPSC English|CDS|TNEB ...