How to Say "Wife" in Tamil - How To Say Guide

மனைவி

maṉaivi/mɐnɐɪ̯ʋiː/

The Tamil word for wife is மனைவி (maṉaivi). Wiktionary also lists பெண்டாட்டி (peṇṭāṭṭi).

Meaning: female partner in a marriage (noun)

Ways to say it

“wife” in Tamil
Tamil	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
மனைவி	maṉaivi	/mɐnɐɪ̯ʋiː/
பெண்டாட்டி	peṇṭāṭṭi	/pɛɳɖɑːʈːiː/

Both forms refer to a female partner in a marriage.

மனைவி is the standard and formal term for wife, while பெண்டாட்டி is a colloquial version.

maṉaivi (pronounced /mɐnɐɪ̯ʋiː/)

Using the colloquial term பெண்டாட்டி in formal settings or when speaking about someone else's wife can be perceived as disrespectful or rude.

The formal term மனைவி is etymologically rooted in the word for 'house', literally meaning 'one who belongs to the house'.
In traditional Tamil culture, it is common and polite for a husband to refer to his wife as அவங்க (meaning 'they' or 'she') or as 'the mother of the children' rather than using her name or the word மனைவி.
While மனைவி is the standard term, some regional dialects use வீட்டுக்காரி, which literally translates to 'the woman of the house'.

அவர் என் மனைவி.
Avar en manaivi.
She is my wife.
உங்கள் மனைவி எப்படி இருக்கிறார்கள்?
Ungal manaivi eppadi irukkirargal?
How is your wife?
அவர் ஒரு நல்ல மனைவி.
Avar oru nalla manaivi.
She is a good wife.

Two friends are talking about their families at a cafe.

பிரியா Priya

உங்கள் மனைவி நலமாக இருக்கிறாரா?
Ungal manaivi nalamaaga irukkiraaraa?
Is your wife doing well?
கார்த்திக் Karthik

ஆம், என் மனைவி நன்றாக இருக்கிறாள்.
Aam, en manaivi nandraaga irukkiraal.
Yes, my wife is doing well.
பிரியா Priya

கேட்பதில் மகிழ்ச்சி, கார்த்திக்.
Ketpadhil magizhchi, Karthik.
Glad to hear that, Karthik.
கார்த்திக் Karthik

நன்றி, பிரியா.
Nandri, Priya.
Thank you, Priya.

Sources

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