அப்பா
appā/ɐpːɑː/
The English word "dad" can be translated into Tamil as அப்பா (appā). Wiktionary also lists தந்தை (tantai).
Meaning: informal: a father (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| அப்பா | appā | /ɐpːɑː/ |
| தந்தை | tantai | /t̪ɐnd̪ɐɪ̯/ |
The term அப்பா is used both as a direct address when calling out to your father and as a noun to refer to him in a sentence.
Which one should you use?
அப்பா is the common, informal way to say "dad" or "papa" used by children and adults. In contrast, தந்தை is a formal or literary term for "father" typically found in literature, official documents or formal speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are speaking about someone else's father in a respectful manner, the honorific suffix -ஆர் is often added to the end of the word, resulting in the form அப்பாவார்.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is appā. The IPA is /ɐpːɑː/.
Did you know?
- While அப்பா is the standard word for 'dad', it is also used as an exclamation of surprise, frustration or shock, similar to the English 'Oh my god'.
- In Tamil culture, it is common to use அப்பா to refer to any older man in a respectful or affectionate way, even if there is no biological relationship.
- The word அப்பா is an inherited term from Proto-Dravidian, making it one of the oldest linguistic markers of kinship in the region.
Examples in context
- தங்களுடைய தந்தையார் எப்படி இருக்கிறார்கள்?How is your dad?This sentence is useful for asking how someone's தந்தை is doing.Tatoeba #4268043 by Singaravelu, translation #953331 by CK
- என் அப்பா இப்போது வேலை செய்கிறார்.en appā ippōtu vēlai seykiṟār.My dad is working now.
- அப்பா, எனக்கு பசிக்குது.appā, enakku pacikutu.Dad, I am hungry.
Example conversation
Kavitha and Santhosh are talking about their families.
- கவிதா Kavithaஉங்க அப்பா எங்கே இருக்கிறார்கள்?Unga appā engē irukkiṟāṟgaḷ?Where is your dad?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅப்பா ஊருக்குப் போயிருக்கிறார்.Appā ūrukku pōyirukkiṟāṟ.Dad has gone to the hometown.
- கவிதா Kavithaஅப்பொழுது அவர் எப்போது வருவார்?Appozhudhu avar eppodhu varuvār?Then when will he come back?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅப்பா நாளைக்கு வருவார்.Appā nāḷaikku varuvār.Dad will come tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dad” translations and entries அப்பா, தந்தை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
