வாழைப்பழம்
vāḻaippaḻam/ʋɑːɻɐɪ̯pːɐɻɐm/
The English word banana is வாழைப்பழம் (vāḻaippaḻam) in Tamil.
The term வாழைப்பழம் refers to the fruit. When discussing a recipe, you may also see the term Vazha pazham used to refer to the fruit.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word வாழைப்பழம் is a compound of vāḻai, meaning banana plant and paḻam, meaning fruit.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is vāḻaippaḻam and the IPA is /ʋɑːɻɐɪ̯pːɐɻɐm/.
Did you know?
- In Tamil culture, the entire வாழை (banana plant) is considered a symbol of fertility and prosperity. It is common to see the plant tied to the entrance of homes during auspicious events and weddings.
- The letter ழ used in வாழைப்பழம் represents a retroflex approximant, a sound where the tongue curls back. This specific sound is a hallmark of the Tamil language and is difficult for most non-native speakers to replicate.
- Tamil has a specific word for the banana flower, வாழைப்பூ (banana flower), which is cooked as a delicacy. While English speakers view the flower as a botanical part, in Tamil it is treated as a distinct vegetable.
Examples in context
- எனக்கு வாழைப்பழம் மிகவும் பிடிக்கும்.enakku vaḷāippāḻam mikavum piṭikkum.I like bananas very much.
- இந்த வாழைப்பழம் இனிப்பாக இருக்கிறது.intah vaḷāippāḻam iṉippāka irukkiratu.This banana is sweet.
Example conversation
Karthik and Priya are in the kitchen.
- பிரியா Priyaகார்த்திக், வாழைப்பழம் வேண்டுமா?Karthik, vaazhaipazham venduma?Karthik, do you want a banana?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஆம், எனக்கு ஒன்று கொடுங்கள்.Aam, enakku ondru kodungal.Yes, give me one.
- பிரியா Priyaஇதோ, இந்த வாழைப்பழம் நன்றாக இருக்கிறது.Idho, indha vaazhaipazham nandraaga irukkiradhu.Here, this banana is good.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikமிக்க நன்றி, பிரியா.Mikka nandri, Priya.Thank you very much, Priya.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “banana” translations and entries வாழைப்பழம், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
