பள்ளி
paḷḷi/pɐɭːiː/
The English word school is translated into Tamil as பள்ளி (paḷḷi). Wiktionary also lists பாடசாலை (pāṭacālai).
Meaning: an institution dedicated to teaching and learning (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| பள்ளி | paḷḷi | /pɐɭːiː/ |
| பாடசாலை | pāṭacālai | /pɑːɖɐtʃɑːlɐɪ̯/ |
The term is used to describe an institution dedicated to teaching and learning. You can further specify types of schooling by using ஆரம்ப பள்ளி for primary school and மத்திய பள்ளி for middle school.
Which one should you use?
While பள்ளி is the standard word, பாடசாலை is also a term for school. Additionally, the compound word பள்ளிக்கூடம் is used when you want to refer specifically to the school building or the physical school premises.
How does it change in a sentence?
The compound word பள்ளிக்கூடம் (paḷḷikkūṭam) is formed to specifically denote the school building or premises.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is paḷḷi and the IPA is /pɐɭːiː/.
Did you know?
- In Malayalam, a closely related language, the word பள்ளி is used to refer to a mosque or a church rather than a school.
- The word பள்ளி originally meant 'family' or 'village' in ancient Dravidian languages before evolving to mean a place of learning.
Examples in context
- நான் பள்ளிக்கு நடந்து செல்கிறேன்I walk to school.This sentence is useful for describing walking to பள்ளி.Tatoeba #4164689 by Singaravelu, translation #437011 by lukaszpp
- இந்த பள்ளி கூடம் ஒரு சிறைச்சாலையைப் போல இருக்கிறதுThe school looks like a prison.This sentence uses பள்ளி to make a comparison between a school and a prison.Tatoeba #4268479 by Singaravelu, translation #48941 by CK
- டோம் அதைப் பற்றி பள்ளி செய்தித்தாளில் ஒரு கட்டுரை எழுதினான்.Tom wrote an article about it in the school newspaper.This sentence shows how to use பள்ளி when referring to a school newspaper.Tatoeba #3425839 by tamiliam, translation #3424468 by Hybrid
- அவன் ஒரு பள்ளி மாணவர்.He is a school student.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing their children's education.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஉங்கள் மகள் எந்தப் பள்ளிக்குச் செல்கிறார்?Ungal magal endhap pallikkuch chelgiraar?Which school does your daughter go to?
- கவிதா Kavithaஅவள் அருகில் உள்ள அரசுப் பள்ளிக்குச் செல்கிறாள்.Aval arukil ulla arasup pallikkuch chelgiraal.She goes to the government school nearby.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅந்தப் பள்ளி நல்ல தரத்தில் இருக்குமா?Andhap palli nalla tharathil irukkuma?Is that school of good quality?
- கவிதா Kavithaஆம், அது ஒரு சிறந்த பள்ளி.Aam, adhu oru sirandha palli.Yes, it is a great school.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “school” translations and entries பள்ளி, பாடசாலை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries பள்ளி, பாடசாலை, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
