நெகிழிப் பை
negizhip pai
The English phrase "plastic bag" is translated into Tamil as நெகிழிப் பை (negizhip pai).
The term refers to a type of packaging.
Meaning: type of packaging (noun)
Which one should you use?
While நெகிழிப் பை is the formal term, the colloquial version பிளாஸ்டிக் பை is used in everyday spoken Tamil, utilizing the transliterated English word for "plastic".
How do you pronounce it?
negizhip pai
Did you know?
- In traditional Tamil markets, the நெகிழிப் பை has been largely replaced by 'manjapai', a traditional yellow cloth bag that has become a symbol of cultural pride.
- Tamil Nadu was one of the first states in India to implement a strict ban on நெகிழிப் பை to protect its soil and cattle.
- The term பை is ultimately derived from Proto-Dravidian *pac-, which is also the root for பசுமை meaning 'greenness'.
Examples in context
- அந்த நெகிழிப் பையில் காய்கறிகள் உள்ளன.andha nekijip paiyil kāykaṟikaḷ uḷḷaṉa.There are vegetables in that plastic bag.
Example conversation
Priya and Vijay are shopping at a store.
- பிரியா Priyaவிஜய், உங்களுக்கு நெகிழிப் பை வேண்டுமா?Vijay, ungalukku negizhip pai venduma?Vijay, do you want a plastic bag?
- விஜய் Vijayஇல்லை, என்னிடம் ஏற்கனவே ஒன்று உள்ளது.illai, ennidam erkenave onru ulladhu.No, I already have one.
- பிரியா Priyaநெகிழிப் பை சுற்றுசூழலுக்கு கெடுதல்.negizhip pai sutru-soozhalukku kedudhal.Plastic bags are bad for the environment.
- விஜய் Vijayஉண்மைதான், நாம் துணிப்பையை பயன்படுத்தலாம்.unmaidhan, naam thunippaiyai payanpaduthalam.That is true, we can use a cloth bag.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries பை, CC BY-SA 4.0.
