மருமகள்
marumakaḷ/mɐɾʊmɐɡɐɭ/
The Tamil word for niece is மருமகள் (marumakaḷ).
மருமகள் is used to refer to a niece, specifically a fraternal or sororal niece.
Meaning: fraternal or sororal niece (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is marumakaḷ. The IPA pronunciation is /mɐɾʊmɐɡɐɭ/.
Did you know?
- In many South Indian kinship systems, including Tamil, the term for a niece is the same as the term used for a 'daughter-in-law'.
- The root 'maru' in this word is part of a complex system of kinship terms that often categorize relatives by how they enter the family through marriage rather than blood.
- While the word is grammatically feminine, its male counterpart மருமகன் (marumakaṉ) is used for both 'nephew' and 'son-in-law'.
Example conversation
Kavitha and Santhosh are talking about family.
- கவிதா Kavithaஉன் மருமகள் எப்படி இருக்கிறாள்?Un marumaṅgaḷ eppaṭi irukkiṟāḷ?How is your niece?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅவள் நலமாக இருக்கிறாள், கவிதா.Avaḷ nalamāga irukkiṟāḷ, Kavithā.She is doing well, Kavitha.
- கவிதா Kavithaஉன் மருமகள் இப்போது என்ன செய்கிறாள்?Un marumaṅgaḷ ippōtu enna seykkiṟāḷ?What is your niece doing now?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅவள் கல்லூரிக்குச் செல்கிறாள்.Avaḷ kalloṟikkuce celkiṟāḷ.She is going to college.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry மருமகள், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
