பல்லி
palli/pɐllɪ/
The Tamil word for lizard is பல்லி (palli).
The term refers to the reptile known as a lizard.
Meaning: reptile (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as palli (/pɐllɪ/).
Did you know?
- While பல்லி usually means lizard, in some historical or literary contexts, words derived from this root can refer to small settlements or schools.
- In Tamil culture, the appearance of a பல்லி on a wall is often used for divination. For example, seeing a lizard fall on certain parts of your body can be interpreted as an omen for good or bad luck.
- The Sanskrit word पल्ली (pallī) is actually a loanword from the Dravidian-speaking regions into Sanskrit, rather than the other way around.
Examples in context
- சுவரில் ஒரு பல்லி இருக்கிறது.suvaril oru palli irukkiradhu.There is a lizard on the wall.
- அந்தப் பல்லி மிகவும் பெரியது.andhap palli migavum periyadhu.That lizard is very big.
- பல்லி ஓடியது.palli odiyadhu.The lizard ran away.
Example conversation
Karthik and Kavitha are in the living room.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikகவிதா, அங்க பார், ஒரு பல்லி!Kavitha, anga paar, oru palli!Kavitha, look there, a lizard!
- கவிதா Kavithaஎங்கே? எனக்குத் தெரியவில்லை.Engae? Enakkuth theriyavillai.Where? I don't see it.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஅந்தப் பல்லி இப்போது நகர்கிறது.Andhap palli ippodhu nagarkiradhu.That lizard is moving now.
- கவிதா Kavithaஅது பயமாக இருக்கிறது.Adhu bayamaaga irukkiradhu.That is scary.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lizard” translations and entries பல்லி, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries பல்லி, CC BY-SA 4.0.
