வா
vā/ʋɑː/
The phrase "come on" is translated into Tamil as வா (vā).
In Tamil, this expression is used to provide encouragement to someone.
Meaning: expression of encouragement (intj)
Which one should you use?
While வா is the standard form, you may encounter வாடா (vāḍā) when speaking to close friends or younger individuals and வாருங்கள் (vāruṅkaḷ) when addressing a group or using a polite tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite or plural version is வாருங்கள் (vāruṅkaḷ). For intimate or very informal encouragement of a friend or younger person, the form வாடா (vāḍā) is often employed.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ʋɑː/.
Did you know?
- The suffix in வாடா (vāḍā) is a masculine marker, meaning a woman would use வாடி (vāḍi) to give the same informal encouragement to a female friend.
- Despite the simple sound, வா is part of a complex system of 'come' and 'go' verbs that distinguish between the speaker's current location and the listener's.
- In Tamil culture, using the informal வாடா (vāḍā) with a stranger or an elder can be perceived as a serious insult rather than friendly encouragement.
Examples in context
- வேகமாக வா!vēgamāka vā!Come on, be quick!
- சீக்கிரம் வா, நாம் கிளம்பலாம்.cīkkiram vā, nām kilampalām.Come on, let's get started.
- தயங்காமல் வா.tayāṅkāmal vā.Come on, don't hesitate.
Example conversation
Santhosh is trying to encourage Priya to join him for a walk.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshபிரியா, சீக்கிரம் வா!priyā, cīkkiram vā!Priya, come on, hurry up!
- பிரியா Priyaஇன்னொரு நிமிடம் மட்டும்.innoru nimiṭam maṭṭum.Just one more minute.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshதயங்காமல் வா, நான் காத்துக்கொண்டிருக்கிறேன்.tayāṅkāmal vā, nāṉ kāttukkoṇṭirukkiṟēṉ.Come on, don't hesitate, I am waiting.
- பிரியா Priyaசரி, இதோ வந்துவிட்டேன்.cari, itō vanduviṭṭēṉ.Okay, I am coming now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry வா, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
