உதவி
utavi/ʊd̪ɐʋiː/
The English word 'help' is translated into Tamil as உதவி (utavi).
உதவி can be used as a verb meaning to provide assistance or as a noun meaning 'assistance' or 'help'. As a noun, it is often paired with words such as தேவை (need) to form phrases like 'need help'.
Meaning: transitive: provide assistance to (someone or something) (verb)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 'help' as a verb in a sentence, it is commonly paired with the verb செய் (to do) to form the verb phrase உதவி செய்.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is romanized as utavi. In IPA, it is pronounced as /ʊd̪ɐʋiː/.
Did you know?
- When asking for 'help' in an emergency, a speaker might use காப்பாற்றுங்கள் (save me) instead of உதவி to signal a life-threatening situation.
- In Tamil culture, offering உதவி is often seen as a moral duty rather than just a social politeness, deeply rooted in the concept of 'Aran' or righteousness.
- The word உதவி is a cognate with the Kannada word ಒದವಿ and the Malayalam word ഉതവി, reflecting the shared ancestral roots of the Dravidian language family.
Examples in context
- வா எங்களுக்கு உதவி செய்Come and help us.This sentence shows how to use உதவி to express a request to help.Tatoeba #4240324 by Singaravelu, translation #325000 by CK
- அதற்கு இப்போது உதவி தேவை.It needs help right now.This sentence illustrates using உதவி as a noun to indicate a need.Tatoeba #10720854 by DriedGrapes31, translation #10720855 by DriedGrapes31
- எங்களை உதவி செய்யும்படி கேட்டான்He asked us to help him.This sentence demonstrates the use of உதவி in a request for assistance.Tatoeba #4157861 by Singaravelu, translation #476446 by CK
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Priya asks Vijay for assistance with a heavy box.
- பிரியா Priyaவிஜய், எனக்கு கொஞ்சம் உதவி செய்வீர்களா?Vijay, enakku konjam udhavi seiveergala?Vijay, could you give me some help?
- விஜய் Vijayநிச்சயமாக, நான் உங்களுக்கு உதவி செய்கிறேன்.Nichayamaga, naan ungalukku udhavi seigiren.Certainly, I will help you.
- பிரியா Priyaஇந்த பெட்டி மிகவும் கனமாக இருக்கிறது.Indha petti migavum kanamaaga irukkiradhu.This box is very heavy.
- விஜய் Vijayசரி, அதை இங்கே கொடுங்கள்.Sari, adhai inge kodungal.Okay, give it here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry உதவி, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries உதவி, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
