மழை
maḻai/mɐɻɐɪ̯/
The English word "rain" is மழை (maḻai) in Tamil.
மழை is a noun meaning an instance of particles falling.
Meaning: an instance of particles falling (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
மழை functions as a noun, and it can also serve as the root for various verbal constructions in Tamil.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is maḻai.
Did you know?
- In ancient Sangam literature, மழை is not just weather but a symbol of divine grace and royal generosity, often compared to a king's benevolence.
- The pronunciation of the 'zh' sound in maḻai involves a unique retroflex liquid sound where the tongue curls back, a sound that does not exist in English.
- Tamil culture distinguishes between types of rain, such as தூறல் for a light drizzle and கொத்தமழை for a heavy downpour, reflecting a deep agricultural focus.
Examples in context
- இன்று இரவு மழை பெய்யும் என்று நினைக்கிறேன்.I think it'll rain tonight.This sentence shows how to express a prediction about rain falling tonight using மழை.Tatoeba #10722088 by DriedGrapes31, translation #6266190 by CK
- துப்பார்க்குத் துப்பாய துப்பாக்கித் துப்பார்க்குத் துப்பாய தூஉ மழைRain not only acts as food but also produces food.This sentence illustrates a classical poetic description of the utility of மழை.Tatoeba #4270980 by Singaravelu, translation #4270975 by Singaravelu
- கெடுப்பதூஉம் கெட்டார்க்குச் சார்வாய்மற் றாங்கே எடுப்பதூஉம் எல்லாம் மழைRain, by its absence, ruins men, but by its existence restores them to fortune.This sentence provides a classical perspective on the life-altering nature of மழை.Tatoeba #4271045 by Singaravelu, translation #4271044 by Singaravelu
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kavitha and Arun are looking out the window together.
- கவிதா Kavithaஅருண், வெளியே மழை பெய்கிறது.Arun, veliye mazhai peigiradhu.Arun, it is raining outside.
- அருண் Arunஆமாம், கவிதா, மழை வலுவாக இருக்கிறது.Aamaam, Kavitha, mazhai valuvaaga irukkiradhu.Yes, Kavitha, the rain is strong.
- கவிதா Kavithaநமக்கு குடை இருக்கிறதா?Namukku kudai irukkiradha?Do we have an umbrella?
- அருண் Arunஇல்லை, மழை நிற்கும் வரை காத்திருப்போம்.Illai, mazhai nirkum varai kaathiruppom.No, let's wait until the rain stops.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry மழை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
