கேள்
kēḷ/keːɭ/
To say "listen" in Tamil, you use கேள் (kēḷ).
The verb means to pay attention to a sound.
Meaning: to pay attention to a sound (verb)
Which one should you use?
The form கேள் is the root or dictionary form of the word. In spoken Tamil, the informal imperative command is more commonly realized as கேளு.
How does it change in a sentence?
கேளுங்கள் is the polite or formal imperative used for the second person plural or when being polite. கேள் serves as the root form.
How do you pronounce it?
/keːɭ/
Did you know?
- In Tamil, the word கேள் is used for both 'listen' and 'ask'. The meaning is determined by the context of the conversation.
- The sound /ɭ/ at the end of கேள் is a retroflex lateral, produced by curling the tongue back to touch the roof of the mouth.
- If you use the formal கேளுங்கள் in a very casual setting like a street market, you might sound ironically polite or even sarcastic to a local.
Examples in context
- இதைக் கேள்Listen to this!This sentence is useful for practicing the imperative form of கேள்.Tatoeba #4157467 by Singaravelu, translation #320075 by CK
- இசைத் தாளத்தைக் கேள்.isait thaḷathai kēl.Listen to the musical rhythm.
- அந்தச் சத்தத்தைக் கேள்.anthach sathathai kēl.Listen to that sound.
Example conversation
Priya asks Karthik to listen to a sound.
- பிரியா Priyaகார்த்திக், இங்கே கேள்.Kาrthik, ingē kēᵃ.Karthik, listen here.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஎன்ன கேட்க வேண்டும்?Enna kētka vēndum?What should I listen to?
- பிரியா Priyaஅந்தப் பறவையின் சத்தத்தைக் கேள்.Andhap paravaiyin sathathai kēᵃ.Listen to the sound of that bird.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஆமாம், கேட்கிறேன்.าmาm, kētkirēn.Yes, I am listening.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “listen” translations and entries கேள், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
