மிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி
mikka makiḻcci
The English phrase "most welcome" is translated into Tamil as மிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி (mikka makiḻcci).
In Tamil, மிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி is used as a polite response to a person who has thanked you. It functions as a way to tell the other person that you were happy to help them.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: மிக்க, meaning "great" or "much" and மகிழ்ச்சி, meaning "joy" or "happiness". Literally, the phrase translates to "great joy".
How do you pronounce it?
mikka makiḻcci
When do people say it?
When someone thanks you in Tamil, responding with மிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி conveys that assisting them was a pleasure for you.
Did you know?
- The concept of 'welcome' in Tamil is often split between welcoming someone into a home and responding to thanks, meaning the words used for 'welcome' at a door are entirely different from மிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி.
- The phrase avoids the concept of 'debt' or 'obligation' often found in western politeness, choosing instead to frame the service as a source of personal pleasure.
- The word மிக்க is a linguistic cousin to the word mikka used in Kannada and Malayalam, showing how these South Indian languages share ancient roots.
Example conversation
Santhosh thanks Divya for helping him with a task.
- திவ்யா Divyaஇந்த உதவிக்கு மிக்க நன்றி, திவ்யா.Indha udhavikku mikka nandri, Divya.Thank you very much for this help, Divya.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshமிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி, சந்தோஷ்.Mikka magizhchi, Santhosh.You are most welcome, Santhosh.
- திவ்யா Divyaஉங்களால் எனக்கு நிறைய நேரம் மிச்சமானது.Ungalaal enakku niraiya neram michamaanadhu.You saved me a lot of time.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshபரவாயில்லை, எப்போது வேண்டுமானாலும் கேளுங்கள்.Paravaillai, eppodhu vendumaanalum kelungal.It is okay, ask anytime.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries மகிழ்ச்சி, மிக்க, CC BY-SA 4.0.
