ஆமை
āmai/ɑːmɐɪ̯/
The English word "turtle" is translated into Tamil as ஆமை (āmai).
ஆமை refers to a land or marine reptile with a shell.
Meaning: land or marine reptile with a shell (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ɑːmɐɪ̯/. The romanization is āmai.
Did you know?
- In Hindu mythology, a giant ஆமை named Kurma, an avatar of the god Vishnu, is believed to support the entire world on its back.
- The word ஆமை shares an ancient root with an archaic Tamil word for 'water', meaning the concept of the animal is linguistically tied to its aquatic habitat.
- The word ஆமை is used in Tamil folk metaphors to symbolize not just slow movement, but steady progress and extreme longevity.
Examples in context
- அந்த ஆமை மெதுவாக நகர்கிறது.anta āmai meḷuvāka nakurkiṟatu.That turtle is moving slowly.
- கடலில் பெரிய ஆமை உள்ளது.kaṭalīl periya āmai uḷḷatu.There is a large turtle in the sea.
- குழந்தை ஆமை உருவத்தை வரைந்தது.kuḻantai āmai uruvattai varaintatu.The child drew a picture of a turtle.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at animals at the zoo.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshபிரியா, அந்த ஆமையைப் பார்!Priya, andha aamaiyai paar!Priya, look at that turtle!
- பிரியா Priyaஅது எவ்வளவு மெதுவாக நகர்கிறது!Adhu evvalavu medhuvaaga nagargiradhu!It is moving so slowly!
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஆமை நீண்ட காலம் வாழும்.Aamai neenda kaalam vaazhum.Turtles live for a long time.
- பிரியா Priyaஉண்மைதான், சந்தோஷ்.Unmaidhaan, Santhosh.That is true, Santhosh.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “turtle” translations and entries ஆமை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ஆமை, CC BY-SA 4.0.
