உடுப்பு
uṭuppu/ʊɖʊpːɯ/
The English word 'clothes' can be translated into Tamil using several forms, most commonly உடுப்பு (uṭuppu). Wiktionary also lists உடை (uṭai) and ஆடை (āṭai).
Meaning: apparel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| உடுப்பு | uṭuppu | /ʊɖʊpːɯ/ |
| உடை | uṭai | /ʊɖɐɪ̯/ |
| ஆடை | āṭai | /ɑːɖɐɪ̯/ |
| துணி | tuṇi | /t̪ʊɳiː/ |
The terms in Tamil can refer to apparel in general, specific types of attire or the fabric itself.
Which one should you use?
உடுப்பு is the most common, everyday word for clothes used in spoken Tamil. ஆடை is a more formal or literary term often used in writing or formal announcements. உடை is a formal term used to refer to a specific type of attire or uniform, such as sports attire or ceremonial dress. துணி literally means cloth or fabric, but it is often used colloquially to refer to clothes.
How do you pronounce it?
uṭuppu is pronounced /ʊɖʊpːɯ/.
Did you know?
- The word ஆடை is a verbal noun derived from the root ஆடு, which means 'to move' or 'to dance'.
- Traditional Tamil culture distinguishes between உடுப்பு for everyday wear and ஆடை for poetic or sacred contexts, such as describing the attire of deities.
- While துணி means fabric, using it to refer to someone's clothes in certain colloquial contexts can imply that the clothes are old or worn out.
Examples in context
- புதிய உடுப்பு வாங்க வேண்டும்.pudiya uduppu vaanga vendum.I need to buy new clothes.
Example conversation
Priya and Santhosh are preparing for a wedding.
- பிரியா Priyaசந்தோஷ், உடுப்பு தயாரா?Santhōṣ, uduppu tayārā?Santhosh, are the clothes ready?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஆம் பிரியா, எல்லாம் தயார்.ām priyā, ellām tayār.Yes Priya, everything is ready.
- பிரியா Priyaஉடுப்பு சரியாக இருக்கிறதா?uduppu sariyāka irukkiṟatā?Do the clothes fit properly?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஆம், சரியாக இருக்கிறது.ām, sariyāka irukkiṟatu.Yes, they fit perfectly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clothes” translations and entries உடுப்பு, உடை, ஆடை, துணி, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ஆடை, உடுப்பு, உடை, துணி, CC BY-SA 4.0.
