வணக்கம், எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?
vaṇakkam, eppaṭi irukkiṟīrkaḷ?
Hello, how are you in Tamil is வணக்கம், எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்? (vaṇakkam, eppaṭi irukkiṟīrkaḷ?)
This phrase is a polite greeting used to start a conversation and ask about someone's well-being. The first part, வணக்கம், is a common way to say hello, while the second part asks how the person is doing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of three parts: vaṇakkam which literally means a salutation or a respectful greeting. eppaṭi which means how. And irukkiṟīrkaḷ which means you are (the second-person plural or polite form of the verb to be).
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to a single person of equal or lower status, such as a close friend or a younger person, you can change the question to the informal singular form: eppaṭi irukkiṟāy?
How do you pronounce it?
vaṇakkam, eppaṭi irukkiṟīrkaḷ?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you eppaṭi irukkiṟīrkaḷ?, a common response is nallā irukkēn, which means I am well.
Did you know?
- While வணக்கம் is the standard formal hello, many Tamil speakers in casual settings start conversations with சாப்பிட்டீர்களா? which literally asks 'Did you eat?'
- The greeting வணக்கம் is actually rooted in the physical act of bowing or worshipping. It comes from the verb வணங்கு, which means to bend or adore, suggesting that a formal greeting is a gesture of respect.
- The greeting வணக்கம் is traditionally accompanied by the 'añjali mudrā' gesture, where the palms are pressed together in front of the chest.
Examples in context
- வணக்கம், எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்? நீண்ட நாள் கழித்து பார்க்கிறோம்.vanakkam, eppadi irukkireergal? neenda naal kazhithu paarkkirom.Hello, how are you? It has been a long time.
Example conversation
Anita meets Karthik at a coffee shop.
- அனிதா Anitaவணக்கம், எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?vanakkam, eppadi irukkireergal?Hello, how are you?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikநான் நன்றாக இருக்கிறேன், நன்றி.naan nandraaga irukkiren, nandri.I am doing well, thank you.
- அனிதா Anitaஉங்களுடைய குடும்பம் எப்படி இருக்கிறது?ungaludaiya kudumbam eppadi irukkirathu?How is your family?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஅவர்கள் அனைவரும் நலமாக இருக்கிறார்கள்.avargal anaivarum nalamaaga irukkiraargal.They are all doing well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries எப்படி, வணக்கம், CC BY-SA 4.0.
