உதவி செய்யுங்கள்!
Utavi ceyyuṅkaḷ!
Help me please!
Usage
Essential phrase for calling for help in an emergency
Grammar Note
"Utavi" (help) + "sei" (do) is a compound verb. In urgent situations, just shouting "Utavi!" is also understood. In real emergencies, tone of voice is crucial.
காவலர்களை அழையுங்கள்!
Kāvalarkaḷai aḻaiyuṅkaḷ!
Call the police!
Usage
When police intervention is needed for crime, accident, or dangerous situations
Grammar Note
"Kaavalar" means "guardian/police officer." Plural "-kal" + accusative "-ai" = "police" (as object of calling). Sri Lanka police emergency number is 119.
மருத்துவமனைக்கு போக வேண்டும்
Maruttuvamaṉaikku pōka vēṇṭum
I need to go to the hospital
Usage
When you need medical attention and need someone to help you get to a hospital
Grammar Note
"Marutthuvam" (medicine) + "manai" (home/building) = hospital. A classic example of Tamil's tendency to form technical terms from classical roots rather than borrowing.
எனக்கு உடல் நலமில்லை
Eṉakku uṭal nalamillai
I am not feeling well
Usage
Communicating to others that you are feeling unwell
Grammar Note
Tamil often uses an experiencer construction for states and sensations: "to me there is no wellness." "Nalam" (health/wellness) + "illai" (not there) = unwell.
என் மருந்து தொலைந்துவிட்டது
Eṉ maruntu tolaintuviṭṭatu
I have lost my medicine
Usage
Telling a pharmacist or doctor that you have lost your medication
Grammar Note
"Maruntu" (medicine) is a classical Tamil word. "Tholaindhu + vittadu" expresses an irreversible completion. "Vidu" (release) adds a sense of finality.
என் பாஸ்போர்ட் திருடு போய்விட்டது
Eṉ pāspōrṭ tiruṭu pōyviṭṭatu
My passport has been stolen
Usage
Used to report a theft to police or your embassy
Grammar Note
திருடு² is a noun, "Theft, robbery; களவு" (the separate headword திருட்டு has the same sense). "Thirudu + pooy + vittadu" is the set phrase for "got stolen". Tamil compound verbs layer completion and directionality. The more formal passive is திருடப்பட்டது.
மருந்தகம் எங்கே?
Maruntakam eṅkē?
Where is the pharmacy?
Usage
Looking for the nearest pharmacy when you need medicine
Grammar Note
"Maruntu" (medicine) + "agam" (place/home) = pharmacy. The classical Tamil word "agam" is productive in forming compound names for establishments.
இங்கே தீப்பிடித்துவிட்டது
Iṅkē tīppiṭittuviṭṭatu
There is a fire here
Usage
Shouting to alert people in the event of a fire
Grammar Note
"Tīppiṭi" is the verb "to catch fire" (tī = fire + piṭi = to catch). The "-ttuviṭṭatu" ending marks completion: the fire has already started.
ஆம்புலன்ஸ் அழையுங்கள்
Āmpulaṉs aḻaiyuṅkaḷ
Call an ambulance
Usage
When an ambulance is needed for a medical emergency
Grammar Note
"Ambulance" is an English loanword. Emergency numbers: Sri Lanka 1990 (ambulance), Tamil Nadu (India) free emergency service 108.
இது ஒரு அவசர நிலை
Itu oru avacara nilai
This is an emergency
Usage
Used to clearly communicate the seriousness of a situation
Grammar Note
"Avasaram" (urgency) → attributive form "avasara." "Nilai" (state/situation) is a key Tamil word also meaning "station" (as in "nilayam") and "standing/status."
இதை நிறுத்துங்கள்!
itai niṟuttuṅkaḷ!
Stop it
Usage
Show without speaking to shut down persistent touts, overcharging, or someone following you — blunt on purpose
என்னைத் தொடாதீர்கள்!
eṉṉait toṭātīrkaḷ!
Don't touch me
Usage
Show silently if someone puts hands on you; bystanders can read it too
என் பொருள் திருடப்பட்டது
eṉ poruḷ tiruṭappaṭṭatu
My belongings were stolen
Usage
Report a theft to police or hotel staff; works for any stolen item
திருடன்
tiruṭaṉ
Thief
Usage
Alerts the people around you right after a theft; the act of stealing itself is tiruṭṭu
கொள்ளை
koḷḷai
Robbery
Usage
Reports that money or belongings were taken by threat or force; it means seizing goods or money through intimidation or violence
கடத்தல்
kaṭattal
Kidnapping
Usage
Reports that a person has been taken away. The same word also covers smuggling and hijacking, so point at the person you mean
கொலை
kolai
Murder
Usage
Shown when reporting that a person has been killed
கலவரம்
kalavaram
Riot
Usage
A violent crowd disturbance; use it to ask a hotel or the police whether it is safe to go out
வெடிகுண்டு
veṭikuṇṭu
Bomb
Usage
Shown to report a suspicious object or a suspected explosive
தீப்பிடித்துவிட்டது! ஓடுங்கள்!
Tīppiṭittuviṭṭatu! ōṭuṅkaḷ!
Fire! Run!
Usage
Shout this to announce a fire and tell people to get out
Grammar Note
The first half, "tīppiṭittuviṭṭatu", is the completed predicate "a fire has broken out"; the second takes the verb ஓடு (to run, flee) with the polite imperative ending -உங்கள்.
திருடன்! பிடியுங்கள்!
Tiruṭaṉ! piṭiyuṅkaḷ!
Thief! Catch him!
Usage
Shouted right after a theft to alert bystanders and ask them to stop the person
Grammar Note
The verb பிடி means "catch, grasp, seize" and the polite imperative is -உங்கள்.
தீயணைப்பு வாகனம் அழையுங்கள்
Tīyaṇaippu vākaṉam aḻaiyuṅkaḷ
Please call a fire engine
Usage
Used at the scene of a fire to ask for a fire engine
Grammar Note
The same "call X" pattern as "ஆம்புலன்ஸ் அழையுங்கள்" ("call an ambulance"), with தீயணைப்பு வாகனம் (fire engine) in the slot.
காவல் நிலையம் எங்கே?
Kāval nilaiyam eṅkē?
Where is the police station?
Usage
Used when asking where to file a report
Grammar Note
The same "X நிலையம் எங்கே?" pattern as "அருகில் பெட்ரோல் நிலையம் எங்கே?" ("where is the nearest petrol station?"), with காவல் — the first element of காவல்துறை (police) — in the slot.
ஜப்பானிய மொழி பேசும் நபர் இருக்கிறார்களா?
Jappāṉiya moḻi pēcum napar irukkiṟārkaḷā?
Is there anyone who speaks Japanese?
Usage
Ask at a police or hospital counter whether anyone on duty speaks Japanese
Grammar Note
Same frame as "ஆங்கிலம் பேசும் மருத்துவர் இருக்கிறார்களா?" ("is there a doctor who speaks English?"), with the language replaced by ஜப்பானிய மொழி (same stem as ஜப்பானியர், plus மொழி) and the noun by நபர்.
இந்த நபர் மயக்கத்தில் இருக்கிறார்
Inta napar mayakkattil irukkiṟār
This person is unconscious
Usage
Show this to tell paramedics or bystanders the state of a collapsed person
Grammar Note
மயக்கம் has the sense "Giddiness; unconsciousness; coma", distinct from its other sense ("mental delusion").
என் அறையில் திருடு போய்விட்டது
Eṉ aṟaiyil tiruṭu pōyviṭṭatu
Something was stolen from my room
Usage
Tell a hotel or the police that something was stolen from your room, for example while you were out
Grammar Note
"Tiruṭu pōyviṭṭatu" is the set predicate for "got stolen" (the same form as in "my passport was stolen"). Here the place, அறை (room) in the locative -இல், stands in front of it instead of the stolen object.
அந்த நபர் குற்றவாளி
Anta napar kuṟṟavāḷi
That person is the culprit
Usage
Used to point out the offender to the police; show it while pointing
Grammar Note
A copula-less nominal sentence, like "இது ஒரு அவசர நிலை" ("this is an emergency"). குற்றவாளி means "Delinquent, offender, culprit, criminal".
என்னை ஏமாற்றிவிட்டார்கள்
Eṉṉai ēmāṟṟiviṭṭārkaḷ
I was deceived
Usage
For reporting that you were cheated — an overcharge, a fake guide, or a similar scam
Grammar Note
The past of the same "என்னை + ஏமாற்று" pairing as in "என்னை ஏமாற்றாதே" ("do not cheat me"). The completive -விட்ட- is the one in "போய்விட்டது" and "வந்துவிட்டது".
என் பணப்பை திருடப்பட்டது
Eṉ paṇappai tiruṭappaṭṭatu
My wallet was stolen
Usage
For reporting a stolen wallet to the police
Grammar Note
The same passive sentence as "என் பொருள் திருடப்பட்டது" ("my belongings were stolen"), with the object replaced by பணப்பை (wallet; பணம் "money" + பை "bag, purse").
என் பொருளை மறந்துவிட்டேன்
Eṉ poruḷai maṟantuviṭṭēṉ
I left it behind
Usage
Say this when you have left your belongings behind on a bus or in a shop
Grammar Note
The object is "என் பொருள்" (my belongings). The verb மற means "forget, neglect"; it takes the completive -விட்ட- and the first-person -ஏன்.
அவசரகால வெளியேறும் வழியில் ஓடுங்கள்
Avacarakāla veḷiyēṟum vaḻiyil ōṭuṅkaḷ
Please escape through the emergency exit
Usage
Show it during a fire or an earthquake while pointing others toward the escape route
Grammar Note
"அவசரகால வெளியேறும் வழி" (emergency exit) is the sign wording, here in the locative -இல் (the same ending as "பகுதியில்"). ஓடு means "to run, flee" and the polite imperative takes -உங்கள்.
ஆபத்து!
Āpattu!
Watch out!
Usage
Shout it to warn of an immediate danger; the same word as "ஆபத்தான" (dangerous)
உடனே வாருங்கள்
Uṭaṉē vāruṅkaḷ
Please come right away
Usage
Use it on the phone to ask the police, an ambulance, or hotel staff to come at once
Grammar Note
"வாருங்கள்" (please come) is the same polite imperative as in "தோசை ஒன்று கொண்டு வாருங்கள்" ("bring one dosa"). உடனே is an adverb meaning "Immediately".
என்னை அடித்தார்கள்
Eṉṉai aṭittārkaḷ
I was beaten
Usage
For telling the police or a doctor that you were assaulted
Grammar Note
The object என்னை means "me". The transitive verb அடி means "to beat, strike". Leaving the agent unstated with the third person plural -ஆர்கள் gives the sense "(someone) beat me". The passive நான் அடிபட்டேன் is not used because it can also mean being hurt in an accident.
சாலை விபத்து நேர்ந்தது
Cālai vipattu nērntatu
There has been a traffic accident
Usage
Report that a road accident has happened, to the emergency line or to bystanders. The emergency number in India is 112
Grammar Note
The "விபத்து நேர்ந்தது" preceded by "சாலை" ("road"). Tamil forms such compounds by simple juxtaposition, with no change of form.
More Tamil phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Places & Areas
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences