அக்கா
akkā/ɐkːɑː/
The English phrase "big sister" is translated into Tamil as அக்கா (akkā).
அக்கா is a term used to refer to an older sister. Beyond biological relationships, it serves as a polite and respectful way to address any woman who is slightly older than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, அக்கா can be used to talk about an older sister and it also functions as a title or a vocative when you are addressing the person directly.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is akkā. The IPA is /ɐkːɑː/.
Did you know?
- While அக்கா is used for an older sister, a person may continue to use the term for their sister even after they have become the elder in age or status due to the birth order hierarchy.
- Tamil has distinct words for older and younger siblings, meaning there is no single gender-neutral word for 'sibling' that functions like the English word 'sister' does when the age is unknown.
- The word அக்கா is a linguistic fossil that has remained almost identical across several different languages including Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu.
Examples in context
- என் அக்கா இப்போது வேலைக்குச் சென்றார்.en akka ippōtu vēlai kku chendrār.My big sister went to work now.
- அக்கா, எனக்கு ஒரு உதவி செய்ய முடியுமா?akka, eṉakku oru utavi seyya mudiyumā?Big sister, can you do me a favor?
Example conversation
Vijay is asking Divya for help with his homework.
- விஜய் Vijayஅக்கா, இந்த கணக்கைச் சொல்லித்தருவீர்களா?akka, intha kaṇakkai solli tharuvīrkaḷā?Big sister, will you teach me this math problem?
- திவ்யா Divyaநிச்சயமாக விஜய், நான் உதவுகிறேன்.nichayamāka vijay, nāṉ uthavugirēṉ.Of course Vijay, I will help you.
- விஜய் Vijayமிக்க நன்றி அக்கா.mikka naṉṟi akka.Thank you very much, big sister.
- திவ்யா Divyaபரவாயில்லை, நன்றாகப் படி.paravāillai, naṉṟāka paḍi.It's okay, study well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry அக்கா, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries அக்கா, CC BY-SA 4.0.
