ஏய்
ey
The English phrase "hey" is translated into Tamil as ஏய்.
ஏய் is used as an informal greeting among peers or as a way to get someone's attention.
Meaning: informal greeting (intj)
Which one should you use?
ஹலோ is an informal borrowing from English used for casual greetings, and வணக்கம் is a formal greeting equivalent to hello or greetings in English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ஏய் is an informal term. Using this term to address an elder or a stranger is considered rude or disrespectful in Tamil culture.
How do you pronounce it?
ey
Did you know?
- The brevity of ஏய் is its most dangerous trait in Tamil, as such short, sharp sounds are often used to express sudden irritation or commands to animals.
- In Tamil cinema, a character shouting ஏய் is frequently a cinematic shorthand to signal that a villain or a hot-headed protagonist has entered the scene.
- Beyond a greeting, ஏய் can function as a filler word in colloquial speech to maintain a listener's attention during a long story.
Examples in context
- ஏய், இங்கே பார்!ēy, iṅkē pār!Hey, look here!
- ஏய், மெதுவாகப் பேசு.ēy, metuvākap pācu.Hey, speak slowly.
Example conversation
Two friends meet unexpectedly on the street.
- விஜய் Vijayஏய், கவிதா!Ei, Kavitha!Hey, Kavitha!
- கவிதா Kavithaவிஜய்! உன்னை இங்கே பார்க்க மகிழ்ச்சி.Vijay! Unnai ingē pārkka magizhchi.Vijay! It's good to see you here.
- விஜய் Vijayநீ எப்படி இருக்கிறாய்?Nī eppadi irukkirāy?How are you?
- கவிதா Kavithaநான் நன்றாக இருக்கிறேன்.Nān nandraga irukkirēn.I am doing well.
