ஹாய்
hāycasual, borrowed
With a friend in Tamil, ஹாய் (hāy) is the simplest hello. Between male friends என்னடா (eṉṉaṭā), meaning "what's up", is also common, and வணக்கம் (vaṇakkam) is the standard greeting for everyone.
Meaning: casual greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ஹாய் | hāy | casual, borrowed |
| என்னடா | eṉṉaṭā | casual, to a male friend |
| வணக்கம் | vaṇakkam | standard |
After the greeting, friends usually ask எப்படி இருக்க? (eppaṭi irukka), "how are you?", and the answer is நல்லா இருக்கேன் (nallā irukkēṉ), "I am fine".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
வணக்கம் fits both formal and friendly situations, while ஹாய் and என்னடா are for people you know well.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use என்னடா with elders or strangers. டா is for male friends of your own age, and the female friend form is டி (ṭi).
Did you know?
- The word வணக்கம் (vaṇakkam) also means a bow or salutation, and Tamil Nadu uses it as a point of cultural pride.
Examples in context
- ஹாய், எப்படி இருக்க?hāy, eppaṭi irukka?Hi, how are you?
- என்னடா, என்ன பண்ற?eṉṉaṭā, eṉṉa paṇṟa?What's up buddy, what are you doing?
- வணக்கம், நல்லா இருக்கீங்களா?vaṇakkam, nallā irukkīṅkaḷā?Hello, are you well?
Example conversation
Priya meets her friend Divya at a bus stop in Madurai.
- பிரியா Priyaஹாய் திவ்யா, எப்படி இருக்க?hāy divyā, eppaṭi irukka?Hi Divya, how are you?
- Divyaநல்லா இருக்கேன், நீ?nallā irukkēṉ, nī?I am fine, you?
- பிரியா Priyaநானும் நல்லா இருக்கேன்.nāṉum nallā irukkēṉ.I am fine too.
