ஏழை
ēḻai/eːɻɐɪ̯/
The English word 'poor' can be translated into Tamil as ஏழை (ēḻai). Wiktionary also lists ஏழ்மையான (ēḻmaiyāṉa) and வறுமையான (vaṟumaiyāṉa).
Meaning: with few or no possessions or money (adj)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ஏழை | ēḻai | /eːɻɐɪ̯/ |
| ஏழ்மையான | ēḻmaiyāṉa | |
| வறுமையான | vaṟumaiyāṉa |
The term refers to someone with few or no possessions or money. In common usage, ஏழை functions as both an adjective and a noun, often meaning 'a poor person'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the noun ஏழை plural to mean 'poor people', add the suffix -கள் to get ஏழைகள்.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ēḻai.
Did you know?
- The word ஏழை shares a linguistic root with the Tamil word எளிமை (eḷimai), which means 'simplicity'.
- Directly labeling someone as ஏழை in a social setting can be perceived as a stinging social insult rather than a neutral description of their finances.
- The formal term வறியவர் is used in solemn literature to describe the 'destitute' with a level of respect not found in the standard word ஏழை.
Examples in context
- ஏழைக் கிழவன் வாழைப்பழத் தோல் மேல் சருசருக்கி வழுவழுக்கிக் கீழே விழுந்தான்.The poor old man slipped and fell sliding on the banana peel (in a dramatic manner).This sentence illustrates the use of the noun ஏழை to describe an old man.
- அவர் ஒரு ஏழை மனிதர்.avar oru ēḻai maṉitar.He is a poor man.
- ஏழை மக்கள் உணவின்றித் தவித்தனர்.ēḻai makkaḷ uṇiviṉṟit tavittaṉar.The poor people suffered without food.
Example conversation
Anita and Arun are discussing a charity event.
- அனிதா Anitaநாம் ஏழை குழந்தைகளுக்குப் புத்தகங்கள் கொடுப்போம்.Nām ēzhai kuzhandhaigalukku puththakangal koduppōm.Let's give books to poor children.
- அருண் Arunஅது ஒரு நல்ல யோசனை, அனிதா.Adhu oru nalla yōsanai, Anithā.That is a good idea, Anita.
- அனிதா Anitaநாம் இன்னும் எதை கொடுக்கலாம்?Nām innum edhai kodukkallām?What else can we give?
- அருண் Arunபழைய துணிகளைத் திரட்டுவோம், அருண் சொல்கிறேன்.Palaiya thunigalai thirattuvōm, Arun solgirēn.Let's collect old clothes, I suggest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poor” translations and entries ஏழை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ஏழை, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
