வணக்கம்
vaṇakkam/ʋɐɳɐkːɐm/
The English phrase 'namaste' is expressed in Tamil as வணக்கம் (vaṇakkam).
வணக்கம் is used as a greeting meaning 'Greetings'. It can be used both when arriving to greet someone and when leaving to say goodbye.
Meaning: a greeting (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 'namaste' is used in many Indian languages, வணக்கம் is the standard and most natural way to express this greeting in Tamil.
How do you pronounce it?
vaṇakkam
Did you know?
- The root of வணக்கம் also carries the meaning of 'worship' or 'adore', suggesting that the act of greeting another person is seen as a form of reverence.
- In some traditional settings, the word is accompanied by the 'Anjali Mudra', where palms are pressed together, reflecting the 'bowing' origin of the word.
- Although வணக்கம் is the standard greeting, younger generations in cities like Chennai often blend it with English, starting a conversation with வணக்கம் but switching to English for the rest of the chat.
Examples in context
- அனைவருக்கும் வணக்கம்.Anaivarukkum vanakkam.Greetings to everyone.
Example conversation
Karthik and Anita meet in a hallway at a community center.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஅனிதா, வணக்கம்!Anita, vanakkam!Anita, hello!
- அனிதா Anitaகார்த்திக், வணக்கம், எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?Karthik, vanakkam, eppadi irukkireergal?Karthik, hello, how are you?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikநான் நன்றாக இருக்கிறேன்.Naan nandraga irukkiren.I am doing well.
- அனிதா Anitaமிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி.Mikka magizhchi.I am very glad.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry வணக்கம், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries வணக்கம், CC BY-SA 4.0.
