What to Say in Tamil at the Market
At a Tamil market, separate four jobs: ask the price, request a measured quantity, ask for a small reduction, and finish by requesting the bill. Use the vegetable-specific quantity phrases when ordering one kilo, rather than using a price question or a general statement that you want something.
Start with these expressions
| English | Transliteration | Native script |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | idhu evvalavu | இது எவ்வளவு? |
| Please give the bill. | bill kudunga | பில் குடுங்க |
| No thanks. | vendaam | வேண்டாம் |
| Please reduce it a little. | konjam kuraichchu kudunga | கொஞ்சம் குறைச்சு குடுங்க |
| One kilo potatoes, please. | oru kilo urulaikkizhangu kodunga | ஒரு கிலோ உருளைக்கிழங்கு கொடுங்க |
| One kilo onions, please. | oru kilo vengayam kodunga | ஒரு கிலோ வெங்காயம் கொடுங்க |
| One kilo tomatoes, please. | oru kilo thakkali kodunga | ஒரு கிலோ தக்காளி கொடுங்க |
| One kilo carrots, please. | oru kilo kerat kodunga | ஒரு கிலோ கேரட் கொடுங்க |
Match the phrase to the market task
The most useful distinction is between asking about cost and placing an order. Use the price question when you want to know how much an item costs. Use one of the complete vegetable requests when you already know what you want and need to state the amount. For example, choose the tomato quantity request for one kilo of tomatoes, not the price question.
The set also separates the next steps. Use the reduction request only when you are asking for a lower price; it is not another way to ask what something costs. Use the bill request when you are finishing the purchase. If you decide not to buy, use the short refusal instead. This keeps four functions distinct: price, quantity, negotiation or refusal, and payment completion.
This interpretation fits the supporting course material: its exercise identifies an information-seeking interrogative and gives the meaning of “what,” while separately showing the meaning “do not want” [3]. Apply the same decision each time: first identify whether you need information, goods, a lower price, a refusal, or the bill; then select the matching complete phrase.
[3] Source: tamilcourse.uchicago.edu.
Try it
You are buying one kilo of tomatoes at the market. Which phrase should you use to make that quantity request?
Choose your answer before reading on.
Check your answer:
Use expression 7 in the table above.
Choose the tomato-specific quantity request because the situation gives both the item and the amount. A price question would ask about cost, while a bargaining phrase would ask for a reduction; neither one places this particular order.
Practise the sequence with one vegetable: ask its price, request one kilo, decide whether to bargain, and then ask for the bill.
Practise speaking with Bhol. Learn words and sentences written in English letters.
