Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| பாதி | pāti | /pɑːd̪iː/ |
| அரை | arai | /ɐɾɐɪ̯/ |
The term refers to one of two roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided. You can use அரை as an adjective meaning 'consisting of a half' or an adjective meaning 'consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half'. Similarly, பாதி can be used as an adjective to mean 'consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half'. A common expression is அரை மணி நேரம், which is the standard way to say 'half an hour'.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two words depends on precision. அரை is typically used for precise mathematical measurements or fractions, such as 'half an hour' or 'half a kilo'. In contrast, பாதி is more commonly used in general conversation to refer to a portion or a part of a whole, often implying an approximate half.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is pāti and the IPA is /pɑːd̪iː/.
Did you know?
- The word அரை can be part of a group of words that include 'to torment' or 'to crush', showing a complex connection to words describing physical or mental pressure.
Examples in context
- பாதி ஆப்பிள் வேண்டும்.paathi aapil vaendum.I want half an apple.
- பாதி வேலை முடிந்தது.paathi velai mudinthathu.Half of the work is finished.
- பாதி தூரம் நடந்து வந்தோம்.paathi thooram nadanthu vanthom.We walked half the distance.
Example conversation
Vijay and Divya are sharing a snack at home.
- விஜய் Vijayஇந்த கேக் பாதி எனக்கு வேண்டும்.inthu cake paathi enakku vaendum.I want half of this cake.
- திவ்யா Divyaசரி, விஜய், நான் தருகிறேன்.sari, Vijay, naan tharugiren.Okay, Vijay, I will give it to you.
- விஜய் Vijayமிக்க நன்றி, திவ்யா.mikka nandri, Divya.Thank you very much, Divya.
- திவ்யா Divyaபரவாயில்லை.paravaillai.It's okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “half” translations and entries பாதி, அரை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries அரை, பாதி, CC BY-SA 4.0.
