Money & Exchange

1. ATM எங்கே இருக்கிறது?

   ATM eṅkē irukkiṟatu?

   Where is the ATM?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the location of the nearest ATM

   Grammar Note

   ATMs are called "ATM" in India as in English. SBI, HDFC, and ICICI ATMs are widely available. Be aware of foreign card transaction fees.

2. இதன் விலை என்ன?

   Itaṉ vilai eṉṉa?

   What is the price of this?

   Usage

   Basic phrase to ask for the price of a product or service

   Grammar Note

   "Vilai" means price/value. "Idan" is the genitive of "idu" (this). In conversation, "idu evvalavu?" (how much is this?) is equally common.

3. கொஞ்சம் குறைக்க முடியுமா?

   Koñcam kuṟaikka muṭiyumā?

   Can you lower the price a little?

   Usage

   Used for bargaining at markets or shops. Price negotiation is common in Tamil Nadu's bazaars

   Grammar Note

   Literally "can you reduce?" Bargaining is a normal part of shopping culture in Indian markets. "koñcam" softens the request politely.

4. UPI பேமெண்ட் ஏற்கிறீர்களா?

   UPI pēmeṇṭ ēṟkiṟīrkaḷā?

   Do you accept UPI payment?

   Usage

   Used to check if UPI digital payment is accepted. PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm are major apps in India

   Grammar Note

   UPI via QR codes has swept India, even at small vendors. Foreign tourists usually cannot use UPI directly, so carry cash as a backup.

5. சில்லறை இருக்கிறதா?

   Cillaṟai irukkiṟatā?

   Do you have change?

   Usage

   Used when paying to check for change. Small change shortages are very common in India

   Grammar Note

   "Cillarai" is Tamil's native word for small change/coins. In India, vendors frequently say "cillarai illai" (no change), so carry small notes.

6. ரூபாய் மாற்றம் எங்கே செய்யலாம்?

   Rūpāy māṟṟam eṅkē ceyyalām?

   Where can I exchange money for rupees?

   Usage

   Used to find where to exchange foreign currency into Indian rupees

   Grammar Note

   "Maattram" means change/exchange. "ceyyalām" = can do (with -laam suffix). Chennai airport and RBI-authorized dealers offer the best exchange rates.

7. ரசீது கொடுங்கள்

   Racītu koṭuṅkaḷ

   Please give me a receipt

   Usage

   Used to request a receipt after a purchase. In India, GST invoices are important for transparency

   Grammar Note

   "Racidu" is an Arabic-origin loanword for receipt. In India, GST invoices (mandatory for registered businesses) are also colloquially called "racidu."

8. கார்டு ஏற்கிறீர்களா?

   Kārṭu ēṟkiṟīrkaḷā?

   Do you accept card payment?

   Usage

   Used to check whether credit or debit card payment is accepted

   Grammar Note

   "Eerru" means "to accept/receive." The honorific plural verb form "-kireergalaa" is used here, appropriate for addressing a shopkeeper.

9. மொத்தம் எவ்வளவு?

   Mottam evvaḷavu?

   What is the total?

   Usage

   Used after shopping or dining to ask for the total amount

   Grammar Note

   "Mottam" means "total". A more formal version: "mottam kattanam enna?" (what is the total charge?).

10. இது மிகவும் விலை அதிகமாக இருக்கிறது

    Itu mikavum vilai atikamāka irukkiṟatu

    This is very expensive

    Usage

    Used to express that something is too expensive, often as a prelude to bargaining

    Grammar Note

    "Adigam" (excess/high) becomes the adverb "atikamāka." "Vilai adigam" is a shorter form. This phrase signals a bargaining opportunity.

11. வைப்புத்தொகை

    Vaipputtokai

    Deposit

    Usage

    A deposit held by a hotel or rental, returned at checkout

12. திரும்பப் பணம்

    Tirumpap paṇam

    Refund

    Usage

    Word for getting money returned

13. முன்பணம்

    Muṉpaṇam

    Prepayment

    Usage

    Word for money paid in advance

14. கூடுதல் கட்டணம்

    Kūṭutal kaṭṭaṇam

    Extra charge

    Usage

    Word for a charge added on afterward

15. சேவைக் கட்டணம்

    Cēvaik kaṭṭaṇam

    Service fee

    Usage

    Word for a fee charged for a procedure or service

16. ரொக்கம்

    rokkam

    Cash

    Usage

    Says you will pay in cash; the loanword "cash" is just as common in speech

17. கார்டு பேமெண்ட்

    kārṭu pēmeṇṭ

    Card payment

    Usage

    Says you want to pay by card; kaardu alone could mean a greeting card, so "payment" is kept with it

18. தனித்தனி பில்

    taṉittaṉi pil

    Separate bills

    Usage

    Show a server when each person wants their own bill

19. ஒரே பில்

    orē pil

    One bill for everyone

    Usage

    Show a server when one person is paying for the whole table

20. மீதி பணம்

    mīti paṇam

    Change (money back)

    Usage

    The change owed back to you; sillarai means loose coins as such, which is a different thing

Browse all TravelPhrases languages