கேள்
kēḷ/keːɭ/
The English phrase 'ask' is translated to Tamil as கேள் (kēḷ).
The word கேள் is used both to mean 'to ask' (a question) and 'to listen/hear' (to receive sound), though context distinguishes them.
How does it change in a sentence?
When conjugated in the present tense, such as in கேட்கிறேன் (I ask), the stem becomes கேட்க்-. To form the past tense, such as in கேட்டான் (he asked), the stem changes to கேட்ட-.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as [kēḷ].
Did you know?
- Because கேள் means both 'ask' and 'listen', the phrase for 'listening' is often used interchangeably with 'obeying' in certain traditional contexts.
- Because the word can mean 'to ask', it is used in religious contexts to mean 'to seek' or 'to pray' for something.
- The pronunciation of the 'ḷ' in கேள் involves a retroflex way of placing the tongue, which is distinct from the standard English 'l' sound.
Examples in context
- அவனிடம் கேள்.avanidam kēl.Ask him.
- அவளிடம் ஒரு கேள்வி கேள்.avalidam oru kēḷvi kēl.Ask her a question.
- தயங்காமல் என்னிடம் கேள்.thayangāmal ennidam kēl.Ask me without hesitation.
Example conversation
Anita and Karthik are looking for a way to the station.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikநமக்கு வழி தெரியவில்லை.namakku vazhi teriyavillai.We don't know the way.
- அனிதா Anitaஅங்கே இருப்பவரிடம் கேள்.angē iruppavaridam kēl.Ask the person over there.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikசரி, நான் கேட்கிறேன்.sari, nān kētkirēn.Okay, I will ask.
- அனிதா Anitaவிரைவாக கேள், கார்த்திக்.viraivāga kēl, kārttik.Ask quickly, Karthik.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry கேள், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
