Vehicles

1. கார்

   kār

   Car

   Usage

   The word for a passenger car — what you need with ride apps and travel agents

2. பேருந்து

   pēruntu

   Bus

   Usage

   The native Tamil word, used on destination boards and stop signs. In speech the borrowed "bus" is just as common

3. அரசு பேருந்து

   aracu pēruntu

   State-run bus

   Usage

   Run by the state transport corporation — very cheap, with a dense network, and the backbone of travel in the districts. Some services are free for women

4. இரவு பேருந்து

   iravu pēruntu

   Overnight bus

   Usage

   The intercity coach that runs through the night, sometimes with berths. Show it at the counter to ask about seats

5. ஆட்டோ

   āṭṭō

   Auto-rickshaw

   Usage

   The yellow three-wheeler that runs the towns. The full form is "aatto riksha", but nobody says more than "aatto". Ask for the meter

6. ஷேர் ஆட்டோ

   ṣēr āṭṭō

   Shared auto

   Usage

   A larger three-wheeler running a fixed route. In Chennai it is the standard hop from a station into the neighbourhoods, at a flat and very low fare

7. டாக்சி

   ṭākci

   Taxi

   Usage

   The airport has a prepaid taxi counter — paying there removes any need to negotiate

8. கால் டாக்சி

   kāl ṭākci

   Call taxi

   Usage

   The Tamil Nadu term for a taxi ordered by phone or app. Say it to your host and they will arrange one

9. மோட்டார் சைக்கிள்

   mōṭṭār caikkiḷ

   Motorcycle

   Usage

   Helmets are compulsory if you rent one. In speech people mostly say "bike"

10. சைக்கிள்

    caikkiḷ

    Bicycle

    Usage

    Rentable in small towns like Puducherry and Mahabalipuram. Dangerous on Chennai's main roads

11. ரயில்

    rayil

    Train

    Usage

    The long-distance railway, radiating from Chennai across the state. Reserved seats need booking ahead

12. மின்சார ரயில்

    miṉcāra rayil

    Suburban electric train

    Usage

    Literally "electric train" — Chennai's suburban network, and the way to reach the outskirts without the traffic. Very crowded at rush hour

13. மெட்ரோ ரயில்

    meṭrō rayil

    Metro

    Usage

    Chennai's metro — air-conditioned, with signage in Tamil and English, and the easiest system for a visitor

14. விமானம்

    vimāṉam

    Airplane

    Usage

    An airport is "vimaana nilaiyam". The same word also names the tower above a temple sanctum

15. படகு

    paṭaku

    Boat

    Usage

    The small craft for the Pichavaram mangroves or a lake trip. Check that life jackets are provided

16. கப்பல்

    kappal

    Ship

    Usage

    A large vessel — the word for the long sea route from Chennai to the Andamans

17. ஆம்புலன்ஸ்

    āmpulaṉs

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Show this in an emergency. The national emergency number is 112, and 108 calls an ambulance

18. லாரி

    lāri

    Truck

    Usage

    From Indian English "lorry". They rule the highways, and the slogans painted on their tailboards make good photographs

19. வேன்

    vēṉ

    Van

    Usage

    Hired for group temple tours and airport transfers. Tell them the headcount when you book

20. மாட்டு வண்டி

    māṭṭu vaṇṭi

    Bullock cart

    Usage

    Still working in the countryside, and decorated for races at some village festivals

21. வாடகை கார்

    vāṭakai kār

    Rental car

    Usage

    Normally hired with a driver — confirm at the outset whether self-drive is what you are getting

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