கதவு
katavu/kɐd̪ɐʋɯ/
The Tamil word for door is கதவு (katavu).
கதவு refers to the portal of entry into a building, room or vehicle.
Meaning: portal of entry into a building, room or vehicle (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kɐd̪ɐʋɯ/. The romanization is katavu.
Did you know?
- In some Tamil rituals, the act of crossing the வாசல் (threshold) is strictly timed or regulated to ensure that the household begins its day with auspicious energy.
- In classical Tamil literature, the description of a heroine waiting by the கதவு is a recurring trope used to convey longing and anticipation for a lover.
- The word கதவு is a cognate with the Kannada word ಕದವು and the Malayalam word കതക്, showing a shared linguistic root across the Dravidian family.
Examples in context
- தயவுசெய்து வாசலை மூடுங்கள்Please close the door
- கதவு திறந்திருக்கிறது.kathavu thiranthirukkirathu.The door is open.
- புதிய கதவு அழகாக உள்ளது.puthiya kathavu azhagaga ullathu.The new door is beautiful.
Example conversation
Vijay and Kavitha are entering a room.
- கவிதா Kavithaவிஜய், கதவு பூட்டியிருக்கிறது.Vijay, kathavu poottiyirukkirathu.Vijay, the door is locked.
- விஜய் Vijayஎன்னால் கதவை திறக்க முடியவில்லை.ennāl kathavai thirakka mudiyavillai.I cannot open the door.
- கவிதா Kavithaசாவி எங்கே இருக்கிறது?saavi engē irukkirathu?Where is the key?
- விஜய் Vijayசாவி மேஜை மேல் இருக்கிறது.saavi mējai mēl irukkirathu.The key is on the table.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “door” translations and entries கதவு, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries கதவு, CC BY-SA 4.0.
