வெள்ளை
veḷḷai/ʋɛɭːɐɪ̯/
White in Tamil is வெள்ளை (veḷḷai).
வெள்ளை is used to refer to the color white. While it can function as a noun, it is most commonly used as an adjective to describe objects, such as a white car.
Meaning: color (noun)
Which one should you use?
To specifically refer to the noun 'white color', the phrase வெள்ளை நிறம் (veḷḷai niṟam) is used. For referring to people, the term வெள்ளையர் (veḷḷaiyar) is used to mean white people or Caucasians.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is veḷḷai. The IPA is /ʋɛɭːɐɪ̯/.
Did you know?
- In some Tamil cultural contexts, வெள்ளை is associated with mourning and widowhood, as white clothing is traditionally worn during funerals.
- The pronunciation of the 'ḷ' in வெள்ளை (veḷḷai) requires a retroflex sound, where the tongue curls back to touch the roof of the mouth, a sound not found in English.
- The root word வெள் (veḷ) is not just a color, but also shares a connection to the concept of being 'pure' or 'clear' in ancient Tamil literature.
Examples in context
- வெள்ளைக்குதிரைWhite horseThis example shows how to use வெள்ளை to describe a white horse.
- எனக்கு வெள்ளை நிறம் பிடிக்கும்.enakku veḷḷai niṟam piṭikkum.I like the color white.
- அந்தச் சட்டை வெள்ளை.anta accatṭai veḷḷai.That shirt is white.
Example conversation
Karthik and Priya are choosing a dress for a party.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஇந்த நீல நிறம் பிடிக்குமா?inta nīla niṟam piṭikkumā?Do you like this blue color?
- பிரியா Priyaஇல்லை, எனக்கு வெள்ளை வேண்டும்.illai, enakku veḷḷai vēṇṭum.No, I want white.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஅப்படியானால், இந்த வெள்ளை உடையைப் பார்.appaṭiyāṉāl, inta veḷḷai uṭaiyai pāṟ.In that case, look at this white dress.
- பிரியா Priyaஆமாம், இது மிகவும் அழகாக இருக்கிறது.āmām, itu mikavum aḻakāka irukkiṟatu.Yes, it is very beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “white” translations and entries வெள்ளை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
