அரிசி
arici/ɐɾɪtʃiː/
The English word 'rice' is translated into Tamil as அரிசி (arici). Wiktionary also lists சோறு (cōṟu).
Meaning: seeds used as food (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| அரிசி | arici | /ɐɾɪtʃiː/ |
| சோறு | cōṟu | /tʃoːrɯ/ |
The term refers to the seeds used as food. In a culinary context, when someone asks if you have eaten, they are often implicitly asking if you have eaten சோறு (cooked rice).
Which one should you use?
Use சோறு to refer to rice that has been cooked and is ready to be eaten as a meal.
How do you pronounce it?
arici
Did you know?
- The word for rice, அரிசி, is related to the Ancient Greek word ὄρυζα (óruza), suggesting that the very concept of rice may have traveled from the Dravidian language family to the Mediterranean in antiquity.
- In Tamil, the word சோறு is often used as a synonym for 'food' or 'a meal' in general, regardless of whether rice is actually served.
- Because சோறு is so central to the diet, asking சோறு சாப்பிட்டீங்களா? ('Did you eat rice?') is a common way to say 'How are you?' or 'Hello' in some social contexts.
Examples in context
- அரிசி ஒரு கிலோ எவ்வளவு?arici oru kilo evvalavu?How much is a kilo of rice?
- இந்த அரிசி மிகவும் தரமானது.indha arici migavum tharamaanadhu.This rice is very high quality.
- அம்மா அரிசி வாங்கி வந்தாள்.amma arici vaangi vandhaal.Mother bought some rice.
Example conversation
Karthik and Divya are in the kitchen discussing groceries.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikதிவ்யா, அரிசி தீர்ந்துவிட்டதா?Divya, arici theerndhuvittadha?Divya, is the rice finished?
- திவ்யா Divyaஆம், கார்த்திக், நாம் புதிய அரிசி வாங்க வேண்டும்.Aam, Karthik, naam pudhiya arici vaanga vendum.Yes, Karthik, we need to buy new rice.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikசரி, நான் இன்று அரிசி வாங்கி வருகிறேன்.Seri, naan indru arici vaangi varugiren.Okay, I will go buy rice today.
- திவ்யா Divyaநன்றி, கொஞ்சம் அதிக அரிசி வாங்கிக் கொண்டு வா.Nandri, konjam adhiga arici vaangik kondu vaa.Thanks, please buy a little extra rice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rice” translations and entries அரிசி, சோறு, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries அரிசி, சோறு, CC BY-SA 4.0.
