கடவுளே
kadavule
The Tamil phrase for "oh my God" is கடவுளே (kadavule).
கடவுளே is used as an interjection to express intense emotion, shock or surprise, functioning similarly to the English "Oh my God".
Meaning: excitement or shock (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of kadavul (God) and the vocative suffix -e (oh).
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -e is added to the noun kadavul to create a vocative form, which is used specifically for addressing or calling out to God.
How do you pronounce it?
kadavule
When do people say it?
While கடவுளே is a standard way to express these emotions, there are other popular informal ways to convey shock or disbelief. For example, the phrase அய்யோ அம்மா! is a popular way to express shock, surprise or dismay, while the rhetorical question என்னய்யா?! can be used to express shock or disbelief, similar to saying "What on earth?!" in English.
Did you know?
- The word கடவுள் (kadavul) is etymologically linked to the concept of 'being the one who is incapable of being known' or 'one who is beyond reach' in certain philosophical interpretations.
- In South India, the exclamation அய்யோ (Aiyyo) is often used instead of a religious reference to express shock or pain, and it has become a famous cultural shorthand even in Hollywood films.
- In many Tamil households, instead of 'Oh my God', people might use the name of a specific deity, such as முருகா (Muruga), depending on their specific religious tradition.
Examples in context
- கடவுளே, இது எவ்வளவு பெரிய விஷயம்!kadavulē, idhu evvalavu periya vishayam!Oh my god, this is such a big deal!
- கடவுளே, இதெல்லாம் என்ன நடக்கிறது?kadavulē, idhellām enna nadakkiradhu?Oh my god, what is happening here?
- கடவுளே, அந்தச் சத்தம் கேட்டதா?kadavulē, andha satham kettadhā?Oh my god, did you hear that sound?
Example conversation
Anitha and Santhosh are watching a sudden thunderstorm.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅனிதா, கடவுளே, இவ்வளவு பலத்த மழை!Anithā, kadavulē, ivvalavu balatha mazhai!Anitha, oh my god, such heavy rain!
- அனிதா Anitaஆமாம் சந்தோஷ், எனக்கு பயமாக இருக்கிறது.Āmām Santhōsh, enakku bayamāga irukkiradhu.Yes Santhosh, I am feeling scared.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshகடவுளே, இடி எப்படி சத்தமாக அடிக்கிறது!Kadavulē, idi eppadi sathamāga adikkiradhu!Oh my god, how loudly the thunder strikes!
- அனிதா Anitaநாம் சீக்கிரம் வீட்டிற்குப் போகலாம்.Nām seekiram veettirku pōgalām.We should go home quickly.
