முட்டாள்
muṭṭāḷ/mʊʈːɑːɭ/
The Tamil word for "stupid" is முட்டாள் (muṭṭāḷ).
The word முட்டாள் can be used as an adjective to describe someone lacking in intelligence or as a noun to refer to a stupid person.
Meaning: lacking in intelligence (adj)
Which one should you use?
While முட்டாள் is a general term, you can use gender-specific synonyms to be more precise. மடையன் refers specifically to a stupid man or a fool, while மடையத்தி is the feminine counterpart used to refer to a foolish woman.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, முட்டாள் refers to a single stupid person. The plural form for stupid people is முட்டாள்கள்.
How do you pronounce it?
/mʊʈːɑːɭ/
Did you know?
- The word முட்டாள் is not originally a Tamil word, but is actually a hybrid formed by combining a Sanskrit-derived root with the Tamil suffix ஆள் which means 'person'.
- Because 'stupid' can be a harsh insult, Tamil speakers often use more creative, idiomatic expressions involving animals or food to avoid being too direct.
- While 'stupid' is usually an insult, the Sanskrit root shared by முட்டாள் can also mean 'innocent' or 'naive' in certain literary contexts.
Examples in context
- நான் உன்னை நம்புகிற அளவிற்கு முட்டாள் இல்லை.I'm not stupid enough to believe you.This sentence shows how to use the adjective form of முட்டாள்.Tatoeba #7156591 by Singaravelu, translation #5853605 by jollywatt
- அவன் ஒரு முட்டாள்.avan oru muttaal.He is a stupid person.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a bad decision.
- திவ்யா Divyaநீ ஏன் அதை வாங்கினாய்?nī ēṉ athai vāṅgiṉāy?Why did you buy that?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅது எனக்குத் தேவை என்று நினைத்தேன்.atu enakku thēvai eṉṟu niṉaithēṉ.I thought I needed it.
- திவ்யா Divyaநீ நிஜமாகவே முட்டாள்.nī nijamākavē muttāl.You are truly stupid.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshசரி, நான் ஒத்துக்கொள்கிறேன்.sari, nāṉ ottukkoḷkiṟēṉ.Okay, I admit it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stupid” translations and entries முட்டாள், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries முட்டாள், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
