வணக்கம்
vaṇakkam/ʋɐɳɐkːɐm/
வணக்கம் (vaṇakkam) is the Tamil way to say "greetings".
The expression வணக்கம் means "Hello" and is used as a formal greeting.
Meaning: formal way of saying "hello" (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
vaṇakkam
Did you know?
- The word வணக்கம் is rooted in the act of bowing or worshiping, meaning that when you greet someone, you are symbolically bowing to them.
- In many parts of Tamil Nadu, saying வணக்கம் is often accompanied by the 'Vanakkam gesture', which is pressing your palms together in front of your chest.
- While 'hello' is often used as a way to start a phone call, using வணக்கம் on a telephone can feel overly formal or even dramatic to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- வணக்கம்!Greetings!This example shows how to use வணக்கம் to say "Greetings!"Tatoeba #11036634 by DriedGrapes31, translation #1130106 by cntrational
- Vaṇakkam! Eppaṭi irukkiṉṟīrkaḷ?Hello! How are you?
- அன்புடன் வாழ்த்துக்கள்!Best wishes with love!
- நன்றி நண்பர்களே!Thank you, dear friends!
- அனைவருக்கும் வணக்கம்.anaivarukkum vanakkam.Greetings to everyone.
- வணக்கம், நீங்கள் எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?vanakkam, neengal eppadi irukkireergal?Hello, how are you?
Example conversation
Priya and Vijay meet at a formal office gathering.
- விஜய் Vijayவணக்கம், பிரியா.vanakkam, priya.Hello, Priya.
- பிரியா Priyaவணக்கம், விஜய்.vanakkam, vijay.Hello, Vijay.
- விஜய் Vijayஉங்களைச் சந்திப்பதில் மகிழ்ச்சி.ungalai sandhippadhil magizhchi.Nice to meet you.
- பிரியா Priyaஎனக்கும் மகிழ்ச்சி.enakkum magizhchi.I am happy too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “greetings” translations and entries வணக்கம், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries வணக்கம், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
