வணக்கம்
vaṇakkam/ʋɐɳɐkːɐm/
The English phrase hello is translated into Tamil as வணக்கம் (vaṇakkam).
வணக்கம் is used as a greeting when meeting someone. It is also used as a polite way to conclude a conversation or a letter. To supplement a greeting, you can use நலமா to politely inquire about someone's well-being.
Meaning: greeting (intj)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
வணக்கம் is the standard formal way to say hello and is appropriate for professional settings or when addressing elders. For an even more polite greeting that inquires about a person's well-being, you may use நலமா.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is vaṇakkam and the IPA is /ʋɐɳɐkːɐm/.
When do people say it?
When showing respect to an elder male, you can address him as அண்ணா. To show respect to an elder female, you can address her as அக்கா.
Did you know?
- The root of வணக்கம் is the verb வணங்கு, which means 'to bow' or 'to worship'. The greeting essentially acknowledges the divine spark within the person being greeted.
- When saying வணக்கம், it is common to bring your palms together in a prayer-like position called the 'Anjali Mudra'. This gesture symbolizes the unification of two souls and is a sign of deep respect.
- The greeting வணக்கம் is functionally similar to the Sanskrit 'Namaste', as both words originate from a concept of bowing or showing reverence.
Examples in context
- வணக்கம்!Hello!This example shows the use of வணக்கம்.Tatoeba #11036634 by DriedGrapes31, translation #373330 by CK
- அனைவருக்கும் வணக்கம்.anaivarukkum vanakkam.Hello to everyone.
Example conversation
Arun and Kavitha meet at a park.
- கவிதா Kavithaவணக்கம், அருண்!Vanakkam, Arun!Hello, Arun!
- அருண் Arunவணக்கம், கவிதா!Vanakkam, Kavitha!Hello, Kavitha!
- கவிதா Kavithaநீங்கள் நலமாக இருக்கிறீர்களா?Neengal nalamaaga irukkireergala?Are you doing well?
- அருண் Arunஆம், நான் நலமாக இருக்கிறேன்.Aam, naan nalamaaga irukkiren.Yes, I am doing well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” 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.
