Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| வரவேற்கிறேன் | varavēṟkiṟēṉ | /ʋɐɾɐʋeːrkɪreːn/ |
| வணக்கம் | vaṇakkam | /ʋɐɳɐkːɐm/ |
| வருக | varuka | /ʋɐɾʊɡɐ/ |
In Tamil, the word used for 'welcome' varies based on whether you are making a general greeting, describing the act of welcoming someone or expressing the personal action of welcoming. Other words like வணக்கம் are used for general greetings and வரவேற்பு is used to describe the noun form of a welcome or reception.
What does it mean word for word?
The form வரவேற்கிறேன் literally means 'I welcome (you)' because it contains the first-person singular verb ending.
Which one should you use?
The forms serve different purposes: வணக்கம் is a general greeting similar to 'Hello' or 'Greetings', whereas வரவேற்பு specifically refers to the act of a welcome or reception.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word வரவேற்பு is the noun form used to describe the event or the act of a welcome or reception.
How do you pronounce it?
varavēṟkiṟēṉ (/ʋɐɾɐʋeːrkɪreːn/)
Did you know?
- The greeting வணக்கம் is rooted in the act of worship, originally meaning to bow or adore. Using it to say 'hello' is like starting a conversation by acknowledging the divine presence in another.
- In Tamil culture, a formal welcome வரவேற்பு often involves the traditional offering of water and betel leaves to guests upon their arrival.
- In highly formal or poetic Tamil, welcoming a guest is often compared to welcoming a deity, reflecting the cultural proverb 'Guest is God'.
Examples in context
- உங்களை அன்புடன் வரவேற்கிறேன்.un-gaḷai aṉpu-duṉ va-ra-vēr-ki-ṟēṉ.I welcome you warmly.
- உங்கள் வருகையை நான் வரவேற்கிறேன்.un-gaḷ vu-ra-kkai-yai nāṉ va-ra-vēr-ki-ṟēṉ.I welcome your arrival.
- இந்த விழாவிற்கு உங்களை வரவேற்கிறேன்.in-tha vi-zhā-vir-ku un-gaḷai va-ra-vēr-ki-ṟēṉ.I welcome you to this function.
Example conversation
Vijay welcomes Priya to his house for the first time.
- விஜய் Vijayபிரியா, உள்ளே வாருங்கள், உங்களை வரவேற்கிறேன்.Priya, uḷḷē vāruṅgaḷ, ungalai varavēṟkiṟēn.Priya, please come in, I welcome you.
- பிரியா Priyaமிக்க நன்றி விஜய்.Mikka nandri Vijay.Thank you very much, Vijay.
- விஜய் Vijayஇந்த பக்கம் வாருங்கள்.Indha pakkam vāruṅgaḷ.Please come this way.
- பிரியா Priyaஉங்கள் வீடு மிகவும் அழகாக இருக்கிறது.Ungal vīṭu migavum aḻagāga irukkiradhu.Your house is very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “welcome” translations and entries வரவேற்கிறேன், வணக்கம், வருக, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
