நாய்
nāy/nɑːj/
The English word "dog" is translated into Tamil as நாய் (nāy). Wiktionary also lists ஞமலி (ñamali) and ஞாளி (ñāḷi).
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| நாய் | nāy | /nɑːj/ |
| ஞமலி | ñamali | /ɲɐmɐliː/ |
| ஞாளி | ñāḷi |
The term refers to the animal known as a dog.
Which one should you use?
While நாய் is the standard term, the forms ஞமலி and ஞாளி are also recognized in various contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as nāy (/nɑːj/).
Did you know?
- While நாய் refers to a dog, the related form ஞமலி actually refers to a peacock in several Dravidian languages.
- Using நாய் as a comparison in a social context can be far more offensive in Tamil culture than calling someone a 'dog' is in some Western cultures.
Examples in context
- நாய் ஜாக்கிரதை!Beware of the dog!This sentence is useful for expressing a warning involving the form நாய்.Tatoeba #4154884 by Singaravelu, translation #323550 by CK
- எனக்கு ஒரு நாய் வாங்க வேண்டும்.I want to buy a dog.
- அந்த நாய் மிகவும் பெரியது.anta nāy mikavum periyatu.That dog is very big.
- வீட்டில் ஒரு நாய் இருக்கிறது.vīṭṭil oru nāy irukkiṟatu.There is a dog in the house.
Example conversation
Santhosh and Priya are walking in a park.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshபிரியா, அந்த நாய் எங்கே?Priyā, anta nāy eṅkē?Priya, where is that dog?
- பிரியா Priyaஅது மரத்தின் கீழே இருக்கிறது.Atu marattiṉ kīḷē irukkiṟatu.It is under the tree.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅதைப் பார்க்க வேண்டுமா?Ataip pārkka vēṇṭumā?Do you want to see it?
- பிரியா Priyaஇல்லை, எனக்குப் பயம்.Illai, eṉakkup payam.No, I am afraid.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dog” translations and entries நாய், ஞமலி, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ஞமலி, நாய், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
