வணக்கம்
vaṇakkam/ʋɐɳɐkːɐm/
vanakkam is the Tamil way to say hello.
வணக்கம் is a common, formal way to say hello or offer greetings in Tamil. It is frequently used when meeting someone or when a person is starting a speech.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from a noun meaning 'salutation' or 'greeting'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is vaṇakkam.
When do people say it?
When saying வணக்கம், it is often accompanied by the 'Anjali Mudra', a gesture of respect where you place your palms together in front of your chest with your fingers pointing upwards and slightly bow your head.
Did you know?
- The root of வணக்கம் is the verb வணங்கு, which implies much more than a simple greeting. It actually carries the weight of 'worship' or 'adoration', suggesting that the person being greeted is held in high spiritual or social regard.
- Unlike 'hello', vanakkam is not typically used when answering the telephone, where speakers prefer to use other phrases or simply start the conversation.
- In formal Tamil cinema and political speeches, a speaker may start with a very elongated vanakkkam to signal the beginning of a high-status address, turning a simple hello into a ritualistic opening.
Examples in context
- அனைவருக்கும் வணக்கம்.Anaivarukkum vanakkam.Hello to everyone.
- வணக்கம், எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?Vanakkam, eppadi irukkireergal?Hello, how are you?
- ஐயா, வணக்கம்.Aiya, vanakkam.Hello, sir.
Example conversation
Anita meets Arun at a formal community event.
- அனிதா Anitaவணக்கம், அருண்.Vanakkam, Arun.Hello, Arun.
- அருண் Arunவணக்கம், அனிதா.Vanakkam, Anita.Hello, Anita.
- அனிதா Anitaஉங்களைச் சந்திப்பதில் மகிழ்ச்சி.Ungalai sandhippadhil magizhchi.Nice to meet you.
- அருண் Arunஎனக்கும் மகிழ்ச்சி.Enakkum magizhchi.Nice to meet you too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry வணக்கம், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries வணக்கம், CC BY-SA 4.0.
