அக்கா
akkā/ɐkːɑː/
The English phrase "elder sister" is translated into Tamil as அக்கா (akkā).
அக்கா means elder sister. While it is used for a biological elder sister, it is also used as a respectful way to address any woman who is slightly older than the speaker.
Which one should you use?
அக்கா refers to an elder sister, whereas தங்கை is the term used for a younger sister.
How does it change in a sentence?
அக்கா is a noun that can function both as a title when addressing someone directly and as a descriptor when referring to her in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is akkā. The IPA is /ɐkːɑː/.
When do people say it?
In Tamil culture, it is common to use kinship terms like அக்கா to address peers or even strangers to establish a friendly or respectful social bond.
Did you know?
- In Tamil cinema and pop culture, the term அக்கா is often used as a term of endearment or loyalty between female friends who have a strong, protective bond.
- Though it is a friendly term, you should be careful not to use அக்கா for much older women or matriarchs. In those cases, using such a familiar term can be seen as too casual, and more formal titles are required to show proper respect.
- The word அக்கா is virtually identical in the neighboring South Indian languages of Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam. This linguistic similarity reflects a shared Dravidian heritage across the entire southern part of the subcontinent.
Examples in context
- அக்கா எங்கே போகிறாள்?akkā eṅkē pōkiṟāḷ?Where is elder sister going?
- என் அக்கா ஒரு மருத்துவர்.en akkā oru maruttuvar.My elder sister is a doctor.
- அக்கா எனக்கு உதவி செய்தாள்.akkā eṉakku utavi ceytāḷ.Elder sister helped me.
Example conversation
Arun asks Kavitha about her sibling.
- கவிதா Kavithaஅருண், இது என் அக்கா.Arun, itu en akka.Arun, this is my elder sister.
- அருண் Arunவணக்கம் அக்கா!Vaṇakkam akka!Hello, elder sister!
- கவிதா Kavithaஅவர் உங்களைப் பற்றி கேட்டார்.Avar uṅkaḷai paṟṟi kēṭṭār.She was asking about you.
- அருண் Arunமிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி.Mikka makiḻcci.I am very happy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry அக்கா, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
