பெரியம்மா
periyamma
The English phrase 'mausi' is translated into Tamil as பெரியம்மா (periyamma).
This term is used to refer to one's mother's sister.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Kongu Tamil, people might use the term பெரியம்மா to refer to their mother's sister. In the urban dialect of Madras Tamil, people often use the term மாமி to address their mother's sister.
How do you pronounce it?
periyamma
Did you know?
- While பெரியம்மா refers to the elder sister of one's mother, the younger sister is typically called சின்னம்மா, which literally means 'small mother'.
- Calling a stranger பெரியம்மா is a way of 'kinship mapping', a social practice where strangers are integrated into a virtual family to show intimacy.
- The term பெரியம்மா (periyamma) literally translates to 'big mother', reflecting a social structure where maternal aunts are viewed as extensions of the mother herself.
Example conversation
Kavitha and Santhosh are talking about a family visit.
- கவிதா Kavithaசந்தோஷ், பெரியம்மா சென்னைக்கு வருகிறார்கள்.Santhōsh, periyammā chennaikku varugirārgaḷ.Santhosh, my mother's elder sister is coming to Chennai.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅப்படியா! நான் அவர்களைப் பார்க்க விரும்புகிறேன்.appaḍiyā! nān avargaḷai pārkka virumbugirēn.Really! I would like to see her.
- கவிதா Kavithaபெரியம்மா உங்களுக்கு நிறைய பரிசு தருவார்கள்.periyammā ungaḷukku niraya parisu taruvārgaḷ.My mother's elder sister will give you many gifts.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshநன்றி கவிதா, நான் காத்திருக்கிறேன்.naṉṟi kavithā, nān kātthirukkirēn.Thank you Kavitha, I am waiting.
