Lesson 3: Colloquial Expressions and Slang

Welcome to Lesson 3 of Module 4! In this lesson, we'll explore colloquial expressions and slang in Tamil. Understanding and using these informal language elements will help you communicate more naturally in everyday situations and connect better with native speakers.

Let's start with some common colloquial expressions:

• சும்மா இரு (summā iru)

  Literal: Be quiet

  Colloquial meaning: Chill out, relax

  உதாரணம்: என்ன டேய், டென்ஷன் ஆகாதே. சும்மா இரு.

  Example: Hey, don't get tensed. Just chill out.

• என்னாது? (eṉṉātu?)

  Literal: What is it?

  Colloquial meaning: What did you say? (expressing surprise or disbelief)

  உதாரணம்: நீ அமெரிக்கா போறேன்னு சொன்னே? என்னாது?

  Example: You said you're going to America? What did you say?

Tamil slang varies by region and social group. Here are some common slang terms:

• மச்சான் (maccāṉ)

  Literal: Brother-in-law

  Slang meaning: Buddy, dude (used among male friends)

  உதாரணம்: என்னடா மச்சான், எப்படி இருக்கே?

  Example: Hey dude, how are you?

• ஜில்லு (jillu)

  Meaning: Cool, awesome

  உதாரணம்: அந்த பாட்டு ரொம்ப ஜில்லு!

  Example: That song is really cool!

Tamil speakers often use contractions in casual speech. Here are some examples:

• இருக்கு → இருக்கு (irukku → irukku)

  Meaning: It is there

  உதாரணம்: அங்கே பார்த்தியா? அது இருக்கு.

  Example: Did you see there? It's there.

• என்ன → என்ன (eṉṉa → eṉṉa)

  Meaning: What

  உதாரணம்: என்ன பண்றே?

  Example: What are you doing?

Tamil slang can vary significantly by region. Here are some examples:

• வாணாம் (vāṇām) (Chennai)

  Meaning: I don't want / It's not necessary

  உதாரணம்: சாப்பிட வாணாம், நான் சாப்பிட்டாச்சு.

  Example: I don't want to eat, I've already eaten.

• லேசு (lēsu) (Madurai)

  Meaning: Easy

  உதாரணம்: இந்த வேலை லேசுதான்.

  Example: This work is easy.