Basic Words

1. ஆம்

   ām

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. இல்லை

   illai

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. தயவுசெய்து

   tayavuceytu

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

4. நன்றி

   naṉṟi

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. மன்னிக்கவும்

   maṉṉikkavum

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

   Grammar Note

   Works both for getting attention and as an apology; for a clear apology use மன்னித்துவிடுங்கள்.

6. மன்னித்துவிடுங்கள்

   maṉṉittuviṭuṅkaḷ

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

7. பரவாயில்லை

   paravāyillai

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. எனக்குப் புரியவில்லை

   eṉakkup puriyavillai

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. புரிந்தது

   purintatu

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

10. முடிந்தது

    muṭintatu

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. காத்திருங்கள்

    kāttiruṅkaḷ

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. ஒரு நிமிடம்

    oru nimiṭam

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. ஒரு பெரியவர்

    oru periyavar

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. நான் முன்பதிவு செய்யவில்லை

    nāṉ muṉpativu ceyyavillai

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. நான் முன்பதிவு செய்துள்ளேன்

    nāṉ muṉpativu ceytuḷḷēṉ

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. எனக்கு உதவுங்கள்

    eṉakku utavuṅkaḷ

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. மீண்டும் ஒருமுறை சொல்லுங்கள்

    mīṇṭum orumuṟai colluṅkaḷ

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. மெதுவாகப் பேசுங்கள்

    metuvākap pēcuṅkaḷ

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. எனக்குக் கொஞ்சம் தெரியும்

    eṉakkuk koñcam teriyum

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

20. நீங்கள் ஆங்கிலம் பேசுவீர்களா?

    nīṅkaḷ āṅkilam pēcuvīrkaḷā?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    Use நீங்கள் (neengal) with strangers; நீ (nee) only with close friends.

21. இது

    itu

    This

    Usage

    For something within reach; point at an item on a stall to order it

22. அது

    atu

    That

    Usage

    Tamil marks only two degrees of distance (i- near, a- far), so this one word covers both "that" and "that over there"

23. இங்கே

    iṅkē

    Here

    Usage

    The spot you are standing on; also used to tell a driver where to drop you

24. அங்கே

    aṅkē

    There

    Usage

    Any place away from you; Tamil does not distinguish "there" from "over there"

25. நான்

    nāṉ

    I / me

    Usage

    Yourself; point at your own chest while showing it

26. நீங்கள்

    nīṅkaḷ

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite "you" for strangers; the familiar nee is rude to elders or people you have just met

27. ஒன்றாக

    oṉṟāka

    Together

    Usage

    Show when you want to be seated or billed together with your companions

28. இப்போதே

    ippōtē

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals urgency; ippodhu (now) with the emphatic -e attached

29. ஒருவர்

    oruvar

    One person

    Usage

    Tells an eatery or a ticket counter how many of you there are

30. இரண்டு பேர்

    iraṇṭu pēr

    Two people

    Usage

    For stating headcount; per is the counter word used for people

31. மூன்று பேர்

    mūṉṟu pēr

    Three people

    Usage

    For stating headcount at a restaurant or counter

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