கொஞ்சம்
koñcam/koɲdʒɐm/
The English phrase "little bit" can be translated into Tamil as கொஞ்சம் (koñcam).
கொஞ்சம் is used to express a small amount or a little bit of something. It is used in both spoken and written Tamil to denote a small quantity.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While கொஞ்சம் is the common way to say "little bit", you may encounter ஒரு சிறிய அளவு (oru ciṟiya aḷavu) which specifically translates to "a small quantity".
How does it change in a sentence?
To function as an adverb meaning "slightly" or "a little bit" in formal or literary contexts, the form கொஞ்சமாக (koñcamāka) is used.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /koɲdʒɐm/ (koñcam).
Did you know?
- The word கொஞ்சம் shares its roots with the word குஞ்சு, which refers to a 'youngling' or a 'chick' in a nest. This suggests a linguistic connection between the concept of a 'little bit' and the concept of 'smallness' or 'youth'.
- In spoken Tamil, கொஞ்சம் is frequently used as a polite softener to make requests less demanding, similar to how 'a little bit' works in English.
- In some colloquial contexts, கொஞ்சம் can be used to ask for a moment of someone's time, implying 'just a little bit of time'.
Examples in context
- எனக்கு ஒரு சிறிய அளவு பணம் உள்ளதுI have a little bit of money
- கொஞ்சம் காபி கொடுங்க.konjam coffee kodunga.Give me a little bit of coffee.
- கொஞ்சம் மெதுவா பேசுங்கள்.konjam medhuva pesungal.Please speak a little bit slowly.
Example conversation
Arun and Divya are deciding what to eat.
- திவ்யா Divyaஅருண், உங்களுக்கு பசிக்கிறதா?Arun, ungalukku pasikkiradha?Arun, are you hungry?
- அருண் Arunஆம், எனக்கு கொஞ்சம் பசிக்கிறது.Aam, enakku konjam pasikkiradhu.Yes, I am a little bit hungry.
- திவ்யா Divyaநாம் இப்போது சாப்பிடலாமா?Naam ippo saappidalaama?Shall we eat now?
- அருண் Arunநிச்சயமாக, திவ்யா.Nichayamaga, Divya.Certainly, Divya.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry கொஞ்சம், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries கொஞ்சம், CC BY-SA 4.0.
