நகல்
nakal
The English word 'copy' can be translated into Tamil as நகல் (nakal).
The term is used to describe the action of producing something identical to an original.
Meaning: produce something identical (verb)
Which one should you use?
நகல் is a formal term, while காப்பி is an informal term used among friends and family.
How do you pronounce it?
nakal
Did you know?
- In modern Tamil conversations, speakers often use the English word 'copy' but phonetically adapt it as காப்பி, which sounds identical to the word for 'coffee' in many dialects.
- In Tamil, to 'copy' someone's behavior or a person's style is often described using different verbs entirely, rather than using a word for a physical duplicate.
- The word நகல் is frequently used in legal contexts in Tamil Nadu to refer to 'certified copies' of land deeds and court documents, making it a word heavily associated with bureaucracy.
Examples in context
- இந்தக் கடிதத்தை நகல் எடு.Indha kadhithathai nagal edu.Copy this letter.
- தயவுசெய்து இந்த ஆவணத்தை நகல் எடுப்பீர்களா?Thayavuseidhu indha aavanathai nagal edupeerghala?Could you please copy this document?
- எனக்கு ஒரு நகல் தேவை.Enakku oru nagal thevai.I need a copy.
Example conversation
Priya and Karthik are in an office.
- பிரியா Priyaகார்த்திக், இந்தத் தாளை நகல் எடுங்கள்.Karthik, indha thaalai nagal edungal.Karthik, please make a copy of this paper.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikசரி பிரியா, எத்தனை நகல் வேண்டும்?Sari Priya, ethanai nagal vendum?Okay Priya, how many copies do you need?
- பிரியா Priyaமூன்று நகல் போதும்.Moondru nagal podhum.Three copies are enough.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஇப்போதே எடுத்துத் தருகிறேன்.Ippodhe eduthu tharugiren.I will get them for you right now.
