Adjectives

1. பெரிய

   periya

   Big

   Usage

   For stating a size — clothes or rooms

2. சிறிய

   ciṟiya

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big — for asking for a smaller size

3. கனமான

   kaṉamāṉa

   Heavy

   Usage

   For the weight of luggage, and as a lead-in to asking for help

4. இலகுவான

   ilakuvāṉa

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from light meaning bright

5. விலை அதிகம்

   vilai atikam

   Expensive

   Usage

   High in price — the opening move when haggling

6. மலிவான

   malivāṉa

   Cheap

   Usage

   The opposite of expensive — for asking for something cheaper

7. சூடான

   cūṭāṉa

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — kept separate from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   சூடான (soodaana) is hot to the touch; for hot weather Tamil uses வெப்பம் or வெயில்.

8. குளிர்ந்த

   kuḷirnta

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — kept separate from cold weather

   Grammar Note

   குளிர்ந்த (kulirntha) is cold to the touch; cold weather is the noun குளிர் (kulir).

9. புதிய

   putiya

   New

   Usage

   Brand new — also used when asking for a replacement

10. பழைய

    paḻaiya

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in worn — never the word to use about a person

    Grammar Note

    பழைய (pazhaiya) is for objects; for people use வயதான (vayathaana).

11. இளம்

    iḷam

    Young

    Usage

    About a person's age — a small-talk staple

12. வயதான

    vayatāṉa

    Old (person)

    Usage

    Elderly, about people — a different word from old things

13. சுத்தமான

    cuttamāṉa

    Clean

    Usage

    For praising cleanliness

14. அழுக்கான

    aḻukkāṉa

    Dirty

    Usage

    Unclean — the reason you give when asking for a change of room or dishes

15. நல்ல

    nalla

    Good

    Usage

    A positive verdict, also usable to signal agreement

16. கெட்ட

    keṭṭa

    Bad

    Usage

    A negative verdict — also used of health and weather

17. அருகில்

    arukil

    Near

    Usage

    Close by — for checking whether you can walk

18. தூரம்

    tūram

    Far

    Usage

    Far away — your cue to look for transport

19. சீக்கிரம்

    cīkkiram

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — for first departures and opening hours

    Grammar Note

    சீக்கிரம் (seekkiram) is early in time; fast in speed is வேகமாக (vegamaaga).

20. தாமதம்

    tāmatam

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time — for last departures and closing hours

    Grammar Note

    தாமதம் (thaamatham) is late in time; slow in speed is மெதுவாக (methuvaaga).

21. அதிகம்

    atikam

    Many

    Usage

    A large amount or number — also used to describe crowds

22. குறைவு

    kuṟaivu

    Few

    Usage

    A small amount or number — for asking for less of something

23. வெப்பம்

    veppam

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather — learn it separately from hot objects

    Grammar Note

    A noun for heat, used as வெப்பமாக இருக்கிறது ("it is hot").

24. குளிர்

    kuḷir

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather — learn it separately from cold objects

    Grammar Note

    A noun for cold weather, used as குளிராக இருக்கிறது ("it is cold").

25. அழகான

    aḻakāṉa

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, animals, or things

26. கம்பீரமான

    kampīramāṉa

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly used to compliment someone's or something's appearance

27. சுவையான

    cuvaiyāṉa

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give during a meal

28. அற்புதமான

    aṟputamāṉa

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

29. வேடிக்கையான

    vēṭikkaiyāṉa

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to share how enjoyable an experience was

30. இன்னும் கொஞ்சம்

    iṉṉum koñcam

    A bit more

    Usage

    Asks for a refill or a little extra; innum alone can mean "still/yet", so konjam is kept with it

31. கொஞ்சம் மட்டும்

    koñcam maṭṭum

    Just a little

    Usage

    Show just before food is served to ask for a small portion

32. பாதி

    pāti

    Half

    Usage

    Ask for half a portion, or to split something between two people

33. முழுவதும்

    muḻuvatum

    All of it

    Usage

    For "the whole lot" — including buying everything a vendor has left

34. போதும்

    pōtum

    That's enough

    Usage

    Stops a server mid-pour; at a South Indian meal the refills keep coming until you show this

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