தண்ணீர்
taṇṇīr/t̪ɐɳːiːɾ/
The English word water is தண்ணீர் (taṇṇīr) in Tamil. Wiktionary also lists நீர் (nīr).
Meaning: inorganic compound H₂O (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| தண்ணீர் | taṇṇīr | /t̪ɐɳːiːɾ/ |
| நீர் | nīr | /niːɾ/ |
In Tamil, the term for the inorganic compound H₂O can be expressed through different forms depending on the context of your speech. While தண்ணீர் is the standard term for daily life, the related verb சிறுநீர் பாய்ச்சு is used colloquially to mean to urinate and the verb கல can mean to dilute or water something down.
Which one should you use?
The word நீர் is a formal or literary version of water, whereas தண்ணீர் is the standard everyday version. While தண்ணீர் is the more common, colloquial term used in daily conversation, நீர் is reserved for more formal contexts.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
taṇṇīr
Did you know?
- The Dravidian root நீர் is so fundamental that it is shared with the Brahui language, spoken primarily in Pakistan.
- In Tamil, the word நீர் is not just a noun but can also serve as a verb meaning to water or irrigate.
Examples in context
- விண்இன்று பொய்ப்பின் விரிநீர் வியனுலகத்து உள்நின் றுடற்றும் பசிThe earth is surrounded by sea water, but if the rain fails, people will starve.This sentence illustrates the use of நீர் in a literary context regarding sea water.Tatoeba #4271000 by Singaravelu, translation #4270999 by Singaravelu
Example conversation
Santhosh and Divya are talking at home.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshதிவ்யா, தண்ணீர் இருக்கிறதா?Divya, thanneer irukkiradha?Divya, is there any water?
- திவ்யா Divyaஆம், ஜாரில் தண்ணீர் உள்ளது.Aam, jaaril thanneer ulladhu.Yes, there is water in the jar.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஎனக்கு ஒரு கிளாஸ் தண்ணீர் கொடு.Enakku oru glass thanneer kodu.Give me a glass of water.
- திவ்யா Divyaஇதோ, தண்ணீர் பிடி.Idho, thanneer pidi.Here, take the water.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “water” translations and entries தண்ணீர், நீர், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries தண்ணீர், நீர், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
