மதிப்பிற்குரிய அம்மா
madhippirkuriya amma
The English phrase "respected madam" is translated into Tamil as மதிப்பிற்குரிய அம்மா (madhippirkuriya amma).
This phrase is a formal salutation used at the very beginning of a professional or official letter or email.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: the adjective மதிப்பிற்குரிய (madhippirkuriya), which literally means "worthy of respect" or "deserving of respect" and அம்மா (amma), which literally means "mother" but functions here as a formal honorific for a woman.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
மதிப்பிற்குரிய அம்மா is a highly formal expression. It is appropriate for official correspondence addressed to superiors, government officials or teachers.
How do you pronounce it?
madhippirkuriya amma
Did you know?
- While அம்மா is used as 'madam' in formal letters, it is also a common way for strangers to address any woman in a polite, everyday conversation regardless of her age.
- In some highly traditional Tamil contexts, the honorific அம்மன் (ammaṉ) is used to refer to goddesses, reflecting the word's deep connection to maternal divinity.
- In spoken Tamil, the formal மதிப்பிற்குரிய is often dropped in favor of adding a respectful suffix to the name or title, as the full phrase is almost exclusively reserved for writing.
Examples in context
- மதிப்பிற்குரிய அம்மா, உங்கள் கடிதத்தைப் பெற்றேன்.mathippirkuriya ammā, ungal kadithathai petrēn.Respected madam, I have received your letter.
- மதிப்பிற்குரிய அம்மா, விண்ணப்பத்தை இணைத்துள்ளேன்.mathippirkuriya ammā, viṇṇappathai inaithullēn.Respected madam, I have attached the application.
Example conversation
Arun is asking Anita for help with a formal letter.
- அருண் Arunஅனிதா, கடிதத்தை எப்படி ஆரம்பிப்பது?Anita, kadithathai eppadi aarambippathu?Anita, how should I start the letter?
- அனிதா Anitaமதிப்பிற்குரிய அம்மா என்று எழுதுங்கள்.Mathippirkuriya amma endru ezhuthungal.Write 'respected madam'.
- அருண் Arunஇது மிகவும் மரியாதையாக இருக்குமா?Ithu migavum mariyathaiyaaga irukkuma?Will this be very respectful?
- அனிதா Anitaஆம், அலுவலக கடிதங்களுக்கு இது சரி.Aam, aluvalaga kadithangalukku ithu sari.Yes, this is correct for office letters.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries அம்மா, CC BY-SA 4.0.
