தங்கம்
taṅkam/t̪ɐŋɡɐm/
The English word "gold" translates to Tamil as தங்கம் (taṅkam).
To describe something as being made of gold or having a golden quality, the adjectival form தங்கமான is used.
Meaning: made of gold, golden (adj)
Which one should you use?
தங்கமான is the adjectival form used to mean "golden" or "gold-like" in a descriptive or metaphorical sense.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /t̪ɐŋɡɐm/. The romanization is taṅkam.
Did you know?
- While தங்கம் refers to the metal, it is frequently used as a term of endearment for children or loved ones, similar to calling someone 'honey' or 'darling' in English.
- In Tamil culture, gold is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, and buying gold on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring eternal prosperity.
- The Sanskrit origin of the word via ṭaṅka suggests that the term for gold was influenced by ancient trade and linguistic exchange in South Asia.
Example conversation
Vijay and Divya are looking at jewelry in a shop.
- விஜய் Vijayதிவ்யா, இந்தத் தோடு தங்கம் தானா?Divya, indha thodu thangam dhaana?Divya, is this earring gold?
- திவ்யா Divyaஆம் விஜய், இது உண்மையான தங்கம்.Aam Vijay, idhu unmaiyaana thangam.Yes Vijay, it is real gold.
- விஜய் Vijayஇதன் விலை எவ்வளவு இருக்கும்?Idhan vilai evvalavu irukkum?How much would this cost?
- திவ்யா Divyaநமது கடைக்காரரிடம் கேட்போம்.Namadhu kada-kaarar-idam ketpom.Let's ask our shopkeeper.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry தங்கம், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries தங்கம், CC BY-SA 4.0.
