மகிழுந்து
makiḻuntu/mɐɡɪɻʊnd̪ɯ/
The English word 'car' can be translated into Tamil as மகிழுந்து (makiḻuntu). Wiktionary also lists வண்டி (vaṇṭi) and கார் (kār).
Meaning: automobile, a vehicle steered by a driver (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| மகிழுந்து | makiḻuntu | /mɐɡɪɻʊnd̪ɯ/ |
| வண்டி | vaṇṭi | /ʋɐɳɖiː/ |
| கார் | kār | /kɑːɾ/ |
The term refers to an automobile or a vehicle steered by a driver. Depending on the context, you may use a formal technical term, a direct loanword from English or a broad, colloquial term for any wheeled vehicle.
Which one should you use?
மகிழுந்து is the formal, technical term for an automobile. கார் is a direct phonetic loanword from English and is the most common way to refer to a car in daily speech. வண்டி is a generic term that can mean 'vehicle', 'cart' or 'carriage'. While it is used colloquially to refer to a car, it can also refer to a bullock cart, a cycle or any other wheeled transport.
How do you pronounce it?
makiḻuntu (/mɐɡɪɻʊnd̪ɯ/)
Did you know?
- The formal term மகிழுந்து is a compound of two words, where மகிழ் means 'to be delighted' and உந்து means 'to drive or push'.
- The Tamil word கார் meaning 'car' is a homonym for the word meaning 'rainy season', creating potential for puns in literature and song.
Examples in context
- டாமின் கார் 1980 களில் தயாரிக்கப்பட்டது.Tom's car was manufactured in the 1980s.This sentence shows the use of கார் to refer to a specific car.Tatoeba #8792546 by mrandy47, translation #7872038 by Hybrid
- வண்டியை கிளப்புStart the car!This sentence demonstrates how வண்டி can be used colloquially when giving an instruction related to a car.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Arun and Kavitha are talking about their transportation.
- கவிதா Kavithaஅருண், உன்னுடைய மகிழுந்து எங்கே இருக்கிறது?Arun, unnudaiya magizhunthu engay irukkirathu?Arun, where is your car?
- அருண் Arunஅது கவிதா, வீட்டிற்கு வெளியே நிறுத்தியுள்ளேன்.athu Kavitha, veettirku veliye niruthiyullen.It is outside the house, Kavitha.
- கவிதா Kavithaநாம் அந்த மகிழுந்தில் பயணிக்கலாமா?naam antha magizhunthil payanikkalama?Can we travel in that car?
- அருண் Arunநிச்சயமாக, வா போகலாம்.nichayamaga, va pogalam.Of course, come let's go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “car” translations and entries மகிழுந்து, வண்டி, கார், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries கார், மகிழுந்து, வண்டி, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
