Survival Tamil:New to Chennai for college, work, or a new job? Learning a few basic Tamil words can make everyday conversations easier.

Knowing simple Tamil words can help you communicate with local people while travelling, shopping, ordering food, or speaking with colleagues and neighbours.

Here are 20 basic Tamil words and expressions every beginner should know.

1. Common Everyday Words

- Aama (ஆமாம்) – Yes
- Illai (இல்லை) – No
- Seri (சரி) – Okay / Alright
- Podhum (போதும்) – Enough
- Konjam (கொஞ்சம்) – A little

2. Time and Place

- Inge (இங்கே) – Here
- Ange (அங்கே) – There
- Ippo (இப்போ) – Now
- Innikku (இன்னிக்கு) – Today
- Naalaikku (நாளைக்கு) – Tomorrow

3. Useful Daily Words

- Nalla (நல்ல) – Good
- Seekiram (சீக்கிரம்) – Quickly / Soon
- Medhuvaa (மெதுவா) – Slowly
- Kodunga (கொடுங்க) – Please give
- Vanga (வாங்க) – Come / Welcome

4. Simple Conversation Words

- Ponga (போங்க) – Go
- Wait Pannunga (வெயிட் பண்ணுங்க) – Please wait
- Eduthukkonga (எடுத்துக்கோங்க) – Please take
- Venum (வேணும்) – I want
- Venaam (வேணாம்) – I don`t want

Pro Tips for Learning Tamil

Practise Every Day

Use a few Tamil words in your daily conversations to remember them easily.

Don`t Be Afraid of Mistakes

Start with simple words and gradually move on to longer sentences.

Learning these basic words is a simple first step towards speaking Tamil more confidently in Chennai.