Learn Tamil speaking online, by actually speaking it
Most people who want to learn Tamil don't need to write an essay. They want to talk to an auto driver in Chennai, chat with their partner's family, or answer back when colleagues joke in Tamil. That takes speaking practice more than textbooks.
This page gives you the basics of spoken Tamil, the phrases and numbers you'll use every day, a simple four-week plan, and a way to practise: one-to-one video calls on Viaraa with hosts who speak Tamil.
Free to join
Spoken Tamil isn't the same as written Tamil
The first surprise for most learners: Tamil is written one way and spoken another. Books, news and signboards use formal written Tamil. At home, in shops and on the phone, people use spoken Tamil, which shortens and changes many words.
| Meaning | Written Tamil | Spoken Tamil |
|---|---|---|
| I'm coming | நான் வருகிறேன் (naan varugiren) | நான் வர்றேன் (naan varren) |
| Where are you going? | எங்கே போகிறீர்கள்? (enge pogireergal?) | எங்க போறீங்க? (enga poreenga?) |
| I'm eating | நான் சாப்பிடுகிறேன் (naan saappidugiren) | நான் சாப்பிடுறேன் (naan saappidren) |
| What are you doing? | என்ன செய்கிறீர்கள்? (enna seigireergal?) | என்ன பண்றீங்க? (enna panreenga?) |
If you learn only from books, people will understand you but you'll sound like a news reader. Learn the spoken forms first, the way they're said around you, and pick up the written ones later if you need them.
Ten Tamil phrases for everyday life
- எவ்வளவு?Evvalavu?How much?
- இங்க நிறுத்துங்க.Inga niruthunga.Stop here, please.
- போதும்.Podhum.That's enough.
- எனக்கு தமிழ் கொஞ்சம் தெரியும்.Enakku Tamil konjam theriyum.I know a little Tamil.
- புரியல.Puriyala.I didn't understand.
- திரும்ப சொல்லுங்க.Thirumba sollunga.Please say that again.
- சரி.Sari.Okay.
- தண்ணி வேணும்.Thanni venum.I need some water.
- எங்க இருக்கு?Enga irukku?Where is it?
- நன்றி!Nandri!Thank you!
Notice the "-unga" at the end of requests like niruthunga and sollunga: it's the polite form, used with anyone older or anyone you don't know well. Use it by default and you'll always sound respectful.
Numbers one to ten
| Number | Tamil | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ஒன்று | onnu |
| 2 | இரண்டு | rendu |
| 3 | மூன்று | moonu |
| 4 | நான்கு | naalu |
| 5 | ஐந்து | anju |
| 6 | ஆறு | aaru |
| 7 | ஏழு | ezhu |
| 8 | எட்டு | ettu |
| 9 | ஒன்பது | ombadhu |
| 10 | பத்து | paththu |
The "say it" column is the everyday spoken form, which is what you'll hear in a shop. In bigger numbers, like prices, many Tamil speakers simply use English numbers.
A four-week plan to start speaking
- 1Week 1, hello and about you: greetings, your name, where you're from, what you do. Say them out loud every day until they come without thinking.
- 2Week 2, numbers and shopping: numbers, prices, "how much", "too much", "enough". Practise with real situations: an auto ride, vegetables, a tea stall.
- 3Week 3, getting around: left, right, straight, stop, near, far, "where is it?". Ask for directions even when you know the way.
- 4Week 4, your day: talk for five minutes about what you did today, in simple sentences. Mistakes are fine: being understood is the goal.
Ten to fifteen minutes of real conversation a few times a week does more than an hour of reading once a week.
Practise speaking on Viaraa
Viaraa is a video call app where you can talk one to one with hosts who speak Tamil: women aged 18 or over who chose to host, each checked by our team. Tell your host you're learning at the start of the call. She can speak slowly, repeat words, tell you the spoken form of something you read, and let you switch to English when you're stuck.
Hosts aren't teachers and Viaraa isn't a course: it's real conversation, which is exactly what most learners are missing. Calls are paid per minute, from 3,000 coins a minute depending on the host, with no subscription, and Viaraa runs in your browser. Read more on our Tamil video call page.
Common mistakes, and how to fix them
- Saying "zh" as "l": the ழ in தமிழ் (Tamizh) is a special sound, made with the tongue curled back. Ask your host to say it slowly and copy her.
- Mixing up short and long vowels: kal (stone) and kaal (leg) are different words.
- Using நீ (nee) with everyone: it's for close friends and children. Use நீங்க (neenga) with everyone else.
- Speaking only in written Tamil: it's correct, but it sounds formal. Listen for the spoken forms and use them.
Learning Tamil through another language? This page is also available in Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi, and the other languages you can learn work the same way.
Questions, answered
Can I learn Tamil speaking online for free?
You can start for free with the phrases, numbers and plan on this page. Practising on Viaraa video calls is paid per minute, and joining Viaraa is free.
How long does it take to speak basic Tamil?
With short, regular practice, many people can handle greetings, shopping and directions within a few weeks. Fluent conversation takes much longer.
Should I learn the Tamil script first?
Not to start speaking. Many learners begin with spoken Tamil in English letters and learn the script later. The script helps once you want to read signboards.
Is spoken Tamil different from written Tamil?
Yes. Spoken Tamil shortens and changes many words, like "varugiren" becoming "varren" (I'm coming). Learn the spoken forms first.
Are Viaraa's hosts Tamil teachers?
No. Hosts are people who speak Tamil and enjoy conversation. They can help you practise, but Viaraa isn't a course.
Keep reading
- Learn a languageSpeak Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam or Hindi: phrases, plans and video call practice.
- Tamil video call appVideo call hosts who speak Tamil, from your phone's browser. Free to join, pay per minute.
- Paramapadham (Snakes & Ladders)The rules, the history and the names of Snakes & Ladders, and how to play it online free.
- HelloTalk alternativePractise speaking an Indian language on 1:1 video calls with hosts who speak it.