மகன்
makaṉ/mɐɡɐn/
The Tamil word for 'son' is மகன் (makaṉ). Wiktionary also lists பிள்ளை (piḷḷai).
Meaning: a male person in relation to his parents (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| மகன் | makaṉ | /mɐɡɐn/ |
| பிள்ளை | piḷḷai | /pɪɭːɐɪ̯/ |
The word refers to a male person in relation to his parents.
Which one should you use?
மகன் (makaṉ) is the standard and formal term, while பிள்ளை (piḷḷai) is another way to refer to a son.
How do you pronounce it?
makaṉ (/mɐɡɐn/)
Did you know?
- In modern spoken Tamil parents often use the word கண்ணே meaning 'my eye' as a term of endearment for their son instead of using the word மகன்.
- The word பிள்ளை is shared across a vast linguistic bridge from Tamil in the south to Brahui spoken primarily in Pakistan.
- The term பிள்ளை was historically used as a title for certain castes or social groups in Southern India and Sri Lanka.
Examples in context
- அவர் ஒரு நல்ல மகன்.avar oru nalla magan.He is a good son.
- அவளுடைய ஒரே மகன் அவன்.avaludaiya orē magan avan.He is her only son.
- மகன் வளர்ந்துவிட்டான்.magan valarndhuvittaan.The son has grown up.
Example conversation
Anita asks Vijay about his family.
- அனிதா Anitaஉங்களுக்கு மகன் இருக்கிறாரா?Ungalukku magan irukkiraara?Do you have a son?
- விஜய் Vijayஆம், எனக்கு ஒரு மகன் உண்டு.Aam, enakku oru magan undu.Yes, I have a son.
- அனிதா Anitaஅவன் பெயர் என்ன?Avan peyar enna?What is his name?
- விஜய் Vijayஎன் மகன் பெயர் அருண்.En magan peyar Arun.My son's name is Arun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “son” translations and entries மகன், பிள்ளை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries பிள்ளை, மகன், CC BY-SA 4.0.
