Question Words

1. என்ன?

   eṉṉa?

   What?

   Usage

   A one-word request for clarification when you did not catch something

2. எங்கே?

   eṅkē?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a location. Point at a map or photo while you say it

3. எப்போது?

   eppōtu?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks for a time or date — useful for departure times

4. யார்?

   yār?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask who someone is or who is in charge

5. ஏன்?

   ēṉ?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason. It can sound blunt, so soften it with a smile

6. எப்படி?

   eppaṭi?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks how to do something — ticket machines, for instance

7. எத்தனை?

   ettaṉai?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people

8. இது எவ்வளவு?

   itu evvaḷavu?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The standard price question. In markets ask them to show the number on a calculator

9. எது?

   etu?

   Which one?

   Usage

   For choosing between options — use it while pointing

10. இது என்ன?

    itu eṉṉa?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product to ask what it is

11. கழிப்பறை எங்கே?

    kaḻippaṟai eṅkē?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions of any trip. Works in shops, stations and hotels

12. மணி என்ன?

    maṇi eṉṉa?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time — useful when your phone is dead

13. இருக்கிறதா?

    irukkiṟatā?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    A short way to ask about stock or availability while pointing at something

14. முடியுமா?

    muṭiyumā?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible — card payment, changing money and so on

15. இதற்குக் கட்டணம் உண்டா?

    itaṟkuk kaṭṭaṇam uṇṭā?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Checks for an extra fee — luggage storage, Wi-Fi and the like

16. இது இலவசமா?

    itu ilavacamā?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirms something is free of charge — water or refills, for example

17. இது சரியா?

    itu cariyā?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asking for permission — often used together with pointing

18. முடியாதா?

    muṭiyātā?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being told no

19. நீங்கள் நலமா?

    nīṅkaḷ nalamā?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing — a different role from qst-017, which asks permission

20. உண்மையா?

    uṇmaiyā?

    Really?

    Usage

    Used to confirm something surprising

21. உறுதியா?

    uṟutiyā?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Used to press for certainty about a fact — more formal than qst-020 ("Really?")

22. நீங்கள் எங்கிருந்து வந்தீர்கள்?

    nīṅkaḷ eṅkiruntu vantīrkaḷ?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A common conversation starter

23. உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன?

    uṅkaḷ peyar eṉṉa?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A common conversation starter

24. உங்களுக்கு வயது எவ்வளவு?

    uṅkaḷukku vayatu evvaḷavu?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking age is fairly common in Tamil-speaking regions, but it can still feel intrusive with strangers or elders

25. ஒன்றாக புகைப்படம் எடுக்கலாமா?

    oṉṟāka pukaippaṭam eṭukkalāmā?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Used to ask permission before taking a photo together

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