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Beginners Programme
In this part of the course we will learn the words of the Thamizh Alphabet.
The Thamizh Alphabet consists of
Vowels
Consonants
Aaytham
Vowel Consonants
- 12
- 18
-1
- 216
216 Vowel consonants are formed by the combination of vowels and
consonants
Beginners Programme
3
Key to Transcription
a
A
i
I
u
U
e
E
ai
o
O
au
q
k/g
ng
s / ch
nj
t/d
N
th / dh
ñ
p/b
m
y
r
l
v
zh
L
tR / R
n
sh
s
j
h
ksh
sri
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Pronounciation/
In Thamizh, the letter ‘ ’ is pronounced either as ‘Ta’ or ‘Da’.
Example
Ta
As in the word Tusk
Da As in the word Dusk
‘ ’
words with the letter ‘ ’
Patam
Picture
Katal
Sea
Beginners Programme
5
Kutam
Pot
Matal
Letter
In Thamizh, the letter ‘ ’ is pronounced either as
‘Pa’ or ‘Ba’
Example
Pa
As in the word
Ba As in the word
‘ ’
words with the letter ‘ ’
Pasu
Cow
Pahzam Fruit
Puppy
Bulb
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Pattam
Kite
Ya As in the word
Vayal
Field
Muyal
Rabbit
Puyal
Storm
Kuyavan Potter
Royal
Beginners Programme
Ma
Zha
7
As in the word mug
Maram
Tree
Mayil
Peacock
Amman
Goddess
Malai
Mountain
As in the word pazham
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N’izhal
Shadow
Kuzhandai
Baby
Flute
Pronounciation/
Letter
is pronounced as ‘it’
Example
It
As in the word Cut
Kattam
Square
Sattai
Shirt
Beginners Programme
9
Vattam
Circle
Letter
is pronounced as ‘ip’
Example
Kappal
Ship
Appam
Food Item
Appam
Food Item
PappaLi Papaya
Letter ‘ ’ is pronounced as ‘iy’
Iy
As in the word Boy
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Kaiy
Vegetable
N’aiy
Caiy
Dog
Baby
Letter ‘ ’ is pronounced as ‘im’
Example
Im
gk;guk;
As in the word Room
KampaLam
Carpet
pamparam
Top
Beginners Programme
11
mk;kh
ammA
Mother
Flk;
kutam
Pot
Letter
is pronounced as ‘izh’
Example
H;
izh As in the word Thamizh
‘H;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter
jhH;
thAzh
Latch
ahH;
yAzh
Harp
FkpH;
kumizh
Bubble
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u r f j
Pronounciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘u’ is pronounced as ‘ra’
Example
u
ra
As in the word
Orange
‘u’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘u’
kuk;
maram
Tree
gk;guk;
pamparam
Top
rf;fuk;
cakkaram
Wheel
murd;
arasan
King
Beginners Programme
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Letter ‘r’ is pronounced as ‘ca’
Example
r
ca
As in the word Church
‘r’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘r’
cangku
Conch
re;ij
can’thai Market
rl;il
cattai
Shirt
rd;dy;
cannal
Window
griy
pacalai
Spinach
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trk;g[
vacampu Sweet flag
bert[
n’ecavu Weaving
Letter ‘f’ is pronounced as ‘ka’
Example
f
ka
As in the word Cut
‘f’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;:
words with the letter ‘f’
fly;
kadal
fl;llk;
kattatam Building
fg;gy;
kappal
Ship
fuo
karati
Bear
Sea
Beginners Programme
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Letter ‘j’ is pronounced as ‘tha’
Example
j
tha
As in the word Thamizh
jtis
thavaLai
Frog
jo
thati
Club
jr;ru;
thachar
Carpenter
jl;L
thattu
Plate
Letter ‘u;’ pronounced as ‘ir’
Example:
u;
ir
As in the word Car
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‘u;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘u;’
ghu;
pAr
World
nju;
thEr
Chariot
kyu;
malar
Flower
Cu;
Ur
Village
Letter ‘r;’ pronounced as ‘ich’
Example
r;
ich
As in the word Church
‘r;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘r;’
kr;rk;
macham
mole
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jr;rd;
thachan
Carpenter
Fr;rp
kuchi
Stick
cr;rp
uchci
Peak
Letter ‘f;’ pronounced as ‘ik’
Example
f;
ik
As in the word Desk
‘f;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘f;’
rf;fuk;
cakkaram Wheel
g{f;fs;
pUkkaL
Flowers
gf;fk;
pakkam
Page
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ru;f;fiu
carkkarai Sugar
Letter ‘j;’ pronounced as ‘ith’
Example
j;
th
As in the word Cloth
‘j;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘j;’
ej;ij
n’athai
Snail
bkj;ij
methai
Bed
kj;jsk;
mathaLam
Percussion
Instrument
g[jj; fk;
puthakam
Book
Beginners Programme
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m
M
,
<
Pronounciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘m’ is pronounced as ‘a’
Example
m
a
As in the word animal
‘m’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘m’
mk;kh
ammA
Mother
mg;gh
appA
Father
md;dk;
annam
Swan
mzpy;
aNil
Squirrel
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Letter ‘M’ is pronounced as ‘A’
Example
M
A
As in the word Armour
‘M’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘M’
ML
ATu
Goat
MW
ARu
River
Mykuk; Alamaram Banyan Tree
Mik
Amai
Tortoise
Letter ‘,’ is pronounced as ‘i’
Example
,
i
As in the word ink
Beginners Programme
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‘,’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘,’
,iy
ilai
Leaf
,l;lyp
iTTali
Idly
,e;jpah
inthiyA India
,kak;
imayam Himalaya
Letter ‘<’ is pronounced as ‘I’
Example
<
I
As in the word Steel
‘<’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘<’
<
I
Housefly
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<l;o
Itti
Spear
<r;rk;gHk; Ichampazham
Dates
Letter ‘lh’ is pronounced as ‘TA’
Example
lh
tA
As in the word Tall
‘lh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘lh’
thlhkyu;
vAtAmalar
Non-fading
flower
ehlh
n’AtA
Tape
Tlhuk;
kUtAram
Tent
jlhfk;
thatAkam
Pond
Beginners Programme
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Letter ‘gh’ is pronounced as ‘pA’
Example:
gh
pA
As in the word path
‘gh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘gh’
ghy;
pAl
Milk
ghg;gh
pAppA
Baby
ghujp
pArathi
Barathi
gg;ghsp
pappALi
Papaya
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Letter ‘ah’ is pronounced as ‘yA’
Example
ah
yA
As in the word yacht
‘ah’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘ah’
ahid
yAnai
Elephant
tpahghup vyApAri
Merchant
jhahu;
Mother
thAyAr
tpisahL viLaiyATu Play
Letter ‘kh’ is pronounced as ‘mA’
Example
kh
mA
As in the word model
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‘kh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘kh’
khd;
mAn
khkuk;
mAmaram Mango Tree
mk;kh
ammA
Mother
khL
mATu
Cow
Deer
Letter ‘Hh’ is pronounced as ‘zhA’
Example
Hh
zA
As in the word
vizhA (Festival)
‘Hh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘Hh’
MHhf;F AzhAkku A Thamizh Measurement
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THh fy;
kUzhAngal Pebble
VHhapuk;
EzhAyiram Seven Thousand
Letter ‘uh’ is pronounced as ‘rA’
Example
uh
rA
As in the word Rock
‘uh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘uh’
jpuhl;ir
thirAtchai Grape
juhR
tharAcu
Balance
uhzp
rANi
Queen
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Letter ‘rh’ is pronounced as ‘cA’
Example
rh
cA
As in the word Song
‘rh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘rh’
rhl;il
chATTai
Whip
mr;rhzp achANi
Axle Pin
rhtp
cAvi
Key
rhg;ghL
cAppATu
Food
Letter ‘fh’ is pronounced as ‘kA’
Example
fh
kA
As in the word Cock
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‘fh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘fh’
fhfk;
kAgam
jf;fhsp
thakkALi Tomato
fhis
kALai
Bull
fhJ
kAthu
Ear
Crow
Letter ‘jh’ is pronounced as ‘thA’
Example
jh
thA
As in the word Thaw
‘jh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘jh’
jhkiu
thAmarai Lotus
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jhahu;
thAyAr
Mother
jhs;
thAL
Paper
bghj;jhd;
pothAn
Button
Letter ‘o’ is pronounced as ‘Ti’
Example
o
Ti
As in the word Ticket
‘o’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘o’
<l;o
ITTi
Spear
jo
thaTi
Club
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fl;oy;
kaTTil
Cot
bjhl;o
thoTTi
Tank
Letter ‘O’ pronounced as ‘TI’
Example
O
TI
As in the word Teacher
‘O’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘O’
nfhO tud; kOTIsvaran Billionaire
gl;O tud; paTTIsvaran patiswaran
nfl;Onuh>
KETTIrO
Did you listen?
Beginners Programme
fz;Onuh>
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kaNTIrO
Did you see?
Letter ‘gp’ is pronounced as ‘pi’
Example
gp
pi
As in the word Pig
‘gp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘gp’
gpd;dy;
pinnal
Plait
ifg;gpo
kaippidi
Handle
jk;gp
thambi
Younger Brother
fk;gp
kambi
wire
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Letter ‘gP’ is pronounced as ‘PI’
Example
gP
PI
As in the word Peak
‘gP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘gP’
gP fhd;
PIngkAn
Porcelain
gPgg
; ha;
PIppAy
Barrel
Letter ‘ap’ is pronounced as ‘yi’
Example
ap
yi
As in the word ear
‘ap’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘ap’
nfhapy;
kOyil
Temple
Beginners Programme
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vAyil
Entrance
Letter ‘aP’ is pronounced as ‘yI’
Example
aP
yI
As in the word
effle Tower
‘aP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘aP’
vwpaPlo
;
eRiyITTi
g[tpaPug
; g
; [
puviyIrppu Gravity
Javelin
Letter ‘kp’ is pronounced as ‘mi’
Example
kp
mi
As in the word milk
‘kp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘kp’
kpd;dy;
minnal
Lightning
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kpsF
miLaku
Pepper
Letter ‘kP’ is pronounced as ‘mI’
Example
kP
mI
As in the word meter
‘kP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘kP’
kPd;
mIn
Fish
kPir
mIcai
Moustache
Letter ‘Hp’ is pronounced as ‘zhi’
Example
Hp
zhi
As in the word vizhi (Eye)
‘Hp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘Hp’
nfhHp
kOzhi
Hen
Beginners Programme
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Letter ‘HP’ is pronounced as ‘zI’
Example
HP
zhI
As in the word vAzhi
(Long live!)
‘HP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘HP’
jhHPh;
thAzhIr
Stoop not!
Letter ‘up’ is pronounced as ‘ri’
Example
up
ri
As in the word Ring
‘up’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘up’
eup
n’ari
Fox
Vup
Eri
Lake
Letter ‘uP’ is pronounced as ‘rI’
Example
uP
rI
As in the word Ream
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‘uP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘uP’
ruPuk;
SarIram
sariram
uP fhuk;
rIngkAram
Buzz
Letter ‘rp’ is pronounced as ‘ci’
Example
rp
ci
As in the word sickle
‘rp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘rp’
rp fk;
cingam
Lion
cr;rp
uchi
Peak
Beginners Programme
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Letter ‘rP’ is pronounced as ‘cI’
Example
rP
cI
As in the word seat
‘rP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘rP’
rPty;
cIval
rPgg
; [
cIppu Comb
beetlenut
Letter ‘fp’ is pronounced as ‘ki’
Example
fp
ki
As in the word kick
‘fp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘fp’
fpsp
kiLi
fpz;zk; kiNNam
Parrot
Bowl
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Letter ‘fP’ is pronounced as ‘kI’
Example
fP
kI
As in the word keel
‘fP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘fP’
fPup
kIri
Mangoose
fPiu
kIrai
Greens
Letter ‘jp’ is pronounced as ‘thi’
Example
jp
thi
As in the word Thick
‘jp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘jp’
jpz;iz thiNNai Pial
fj;jp
kathi
Knife
Beginners Programme
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Letter ‘jP’ is pronounced as ‘thI’
Example
jP
thI
As in the word ThIef
‘jP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘jP’
jP
thI
Fire
jPtl;o
thIvaTTi
Fire torch
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e
Pronounciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘e’ is pronounced as ‘n’a’
Example
e
n’a
As in the word ornament
‘e’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘e’
ez;L
n’aNdu
Crab
eldk;
n’aTanam
Dance
ej;ij
n’athai
Snail
eup
n’ari
Fox
Beginners Programme
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Letter ‘ ’ is pronounced as ‘gna’
Example:
gna
As in the word Finger
‘ ’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘ ’
v ; dk;
enggnanam In what manner?
m ; dk; anggnanam
In that manner
, ; dk; inggnanam
In this manner
Letter ‘e;’ is pronounced as ‘n’’
Example
e;
n’
As in the word Gandhi
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‘e;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘e;’
ge;J
pan’thu
Ball
re;jdk; San’thanam
Sandal
je;jk;
Tusk
than’tham
Rfe;jk; sukan’tham
Fragrance
fe;jd;
Lord Murugan
Kan’than
Letter ‘ ’ is pronounced as ‘ng’
Example
ng As in the word Bank
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‘ ’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘ ’
br fy;
cengkal
j feif
thangkanakai Gold ornament
e if
nangkai
Lady
rp fk;
cingkam
Lion
Brick
Letter ‘ep’ is pronounced as ‘n’i’
Example
ep
n’i
As in the word nib
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‘ep’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘ep’
epwk;
n’iRam
Colour
epyk;
n’ilam
Land
epyt[
nilavu
Moon
epjp
nithi
Fund
Letter ‘eP’ is pronounced as ‘n’I’
Example
eP
n’I
As in the word niece
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‘eP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘eP’
ePyk;
nIlam
A colour
ePjp
nIthi
Justice
ePu;
nIr
water
ePrr; y;
nIchchal swimming
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y
t
Pronounciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘y’ is pronounced as ‘la’
Example
y
la
As in the word love
‘y’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘y’
cyfk;
ulakam World
⿶gyif
palakai Slate
g[ytu;
pulavar poet
epyt[
n’ilavu moon
Beginners Programme
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Letter ‘t’ is pronounced as ‘va’
Example
t
va
As in the word Rival
‘t’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘t’
tiy
valai
Net
til
vadai
A food item
tz;L
vaNdu
Beetle
tl;lk;
vattam
Circle
Letter ‘y;’ is pronounced as ‘l’
Example
y;
l
As in the word Fill
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‘y;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘y;’
gy;yp
palli
Lizard
ky;ypif mallikai Jasmine
fy;
kal
Stone
gy;
pal
Tooth
Letter ‘t;’ is pronounced as ‘V’
Example
t;
V
As in the word give
‘t;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘t;’
tt;thy; vavvAl Bat
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brt;thdk;
CevvAnam
Red sky
brt;thiH
ChevvAzhai
Red banana
Letter ‘yh’ is pronounced as ‘lA’
Example
yh
lA
As in the word Language
‘yh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘yh’
epyh
nilA
The moon
gyhg;gHk; PalAppazham The jackfruit
Letter ‘th’ is pronounced as ‘vA’
Example
th
vA
As in the word Valve
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‘th’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘th’
thuk; vAram Week
thdk; vAnam The Sky
Letter ‘yp’ is pronounced as ‘Li’
Example
yp
Li
As in the word Lilly
‘yp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘yp’
vyp
eli
Rat
g[yp
puli
Tiger
Beginners Programme
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Letter ‘yP’ is pronounced as ‘lI’
Example
yP
lI
As in the word Leaf
‘yP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘yP’
fy;yPuy; kallIral Liver
Letter ‘tp’ is pronounced as ‘vi’
Example
tp
vi
As in the word village
‘tp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘tp’
tpuy;
viral
Finger
g[tp
puvi
World
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Letter ‘tP’ is pronounced as ‘vI’
Example
tP
vI
As in the word vIdeo
‘tP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘tP’
tPL
vIdu
House
tPjp
vIthi
Street
Beginners Programme
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v
V
Pronunciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘v’ is pronounced as ‘e’
Example
v
e
As in the word Elephant
‘v’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;:
Words with the letter ‘v’
vWk;g[
eRumpu Ant
vUJ
eruthu
Bull
vl;L
eTTu
Eight
vz;gJ eNpathu Eighty
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Letter ‘V’ is pronounced as ‘E’
Example
V
E
As in the word Agent
‘V’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘V’
Vzp
ENi
Ladder
Vup
Eri
Lake
VG
Ezhu
Seven
Vu;
Er
Plough
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Letter ‘ ’ is pronounced as ‘nja’
Example
nja
As in the word namali (Dog)
‘ ’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ ’
kd;
njaman
The Lord of Death
hapW njAyiRu
Sun
hyk; nJAlam
World
Letter ‘ ’ is pronounced as ‘nj’
Example
nj
As in the word Tanjore
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‘ ’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ ’
k rs;
manjchaL
Turmeric
g R
panjchu
Cotton
C ry;
Unjchal
Swing
fpsp ry;
kiLinjchal
Shell
m ryfk; anjachalakam Post Office
Letter ‘ ’ is pronounced as ‘nji’
Example
nji
As in the word njimiRu
(Beetle)
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Letter ‘Z’ is pronounced as ‘njI’
Example
Z
njI
As in the Word painjnjIlam
(Greenish Blue)
Letter ‘bl’ is pronounced as ‘te’
Example
bl
te
As in the word Test
‘bl’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bl’
Rz;blyp
chuNteli
Mouse
fhl;blUik kAtterumai Bison
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Letter ‘nl’ is pronounced as ‘tE or dE’
Example
nl
tE or dE As in the word Date
‘nl’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nl’
cld;gnly;
utanpatEl Disagree
fz;nld;
kaNdEn
Saw
cld;gl;nld; utanpattEn Agreed
nfl;nld;
KEttEn
Heard
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59
Letter ‘bg’ is pronounced as ‘pe’
Example
bg
pe
As in the word pen
‘bg’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bg’
bgz;
peN
Woman
bgl;o
petti
Box
Letter ‘ng’ is pronounced as ‘pE’
Example
ng
pE
As in the word paper
‘ng’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ng’
ngR
pEsu
Speak
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60
ngij
pEthai
Innocent girl
ngdh
pEnA
Pen
ngupf;fha;
pErikkAy Pear
Letter ‘ba’ is pronounced as ‘ye’
Example
ba
ye
As in the word Yellow
‘ba’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ba’
ifbaGj;J
kaiyezhuththu
Hand writing
gilbaLg;g[
pataiyeduppu
Invasion
Beginners Programme
61
Letter ‘na’ is pronounced as ‘yE’
Example
na
yE
As in the word ear
‘na’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘na’
ifnaL
kaiyEdu
Handbook
jdptHpna thanivazhiyE On a lonely path
btspna
veLiyE
Outside
Letter ‘bk’ is pronounced as ‘me’
Example
bk
me
As in the word men
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62
‘bk’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bk’
bkj;ij
meththai Bed
bkl;o
metti
Toe-ring
Letter ‘nk’ is pronounced as ‘mE’
Example
nk
mE
As in the word map
‘nk’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nk’
nksk;
mELam Percussion Instrument
nkil
mEdai
Dais
Beginners Programme
63
Letter ‘bH’ is pronounced as ‘zhe’
Example
bH
zhe
As in the word yazhe
(Harp)
Letter ‘nH’ is pronounced as ‘zhE’
Example
nH
zhE
As in the word kIzhE
(Down)
Letter ‘bu’ is pronounced as ‘re’
Example
bu
re
As in the word red
Letter ‘nu’ is pronounced as ‘rE’
Example
nu
rE
As in the word kairEkai
(Line on the Palm)
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64
Letter ‘br’ is pronounced as ‘che’
Example
br
che
As in the word Second
‘br’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘br’
brk;g[
chembu A Vessel
bro
chedi
A Plant
Letter ‘nr’ is pronounced as ‘chE’
Example
nr
chE
As in the word safe
‘nr’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nr’
nrty; chEval Cock
Beginners Programme
nriy SElai
65
Saree
Letter ‘bf’ is pronounced as ‘ke’
Example
bf
ke
As in the word kettle
‘bf’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bf’
bfz;o
keNTi
Container
bfk;g[
kembu
Coral
Letter ‘nf’ is pronounced as ‘kE’
Example
nf
kE
As in the word cane
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66
‘nf’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nf’
nfzp
kENi
nfs;tpf;Fwp
kELvikkuRi Question Mark
A well
Letter ‘bj’ is pronounced as ‘the’
Example
bj
the
As in the word Therapy
‘bj’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bj’
bjd;id
thennai
bjg;gk;
theppam A kind of Float
Coconut Tree
Beginners Programme
67
Letter ‘nj’ is pronounced as ‘thE’
Example
nj
thE
As in the word Third
‘nj’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nj’
njs;
thEL
Scorpion
nju;
thEr
Chariot
Letter ‘be’ is pronounced as ‘n’e’
Example
be
n’e
As in the word neck
‘be’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘be’
bey;
n’el
Paddy
bert[
n’esavu
Weaving
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68
Letter ‘ne’ is pronounced as ‘’nE’
Example
ne
‘nE
As in the word nation
‘ne’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ne’
neU
‘nEru
Nehru
neu;‚nfhL ‘nErkOdu Straight Line
Letter ‘by’ is pronounced as ‘le’
Example
by
le
As in the word leg
Letter ‘ny’ is pronounced as ‘lE’
Example
ny
lE
As in the word Rope Ladder
Beginners Programme
69
Letter ‘bt’ is pronounced as ‘ve’
Example
bt
ve
As in the word Vegetable
‘bt’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bt’
bt fhak;
vengkkAyam
btz;ilf;fha; veNdaikkAy
Onion
Lady’s Finger
Letter ‘nt’ is pronounced as ‘VE’
Example
nt
VE
As in the word vaccine
‘nt’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nt’
nty;
VEl
Spear
ntyp
VEli
Fence
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70
ð£ì‹ - 7
c
Pronounciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘c’ is pronounced as ‘u’
Example
c
u
As in the word wood
‘c’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
words with the letter ‘c’
cyf cUz;il ulaka uruNtai Globe
cLk;g[
udumbu
Iguana
cLf;F
udukku
A small drum
cz;oay;
undiyal
Hundi
Beginners Programme
71
Letter ‘g[’ is pronounced as ‘pu’
Example
g[
pu
As in the word push
‘g[’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘g[’
g[wh
puRA
Pigeion
g[yp
puli
Tiger
g[wW
;
puRRu
Anthill
g[jj; fk;
puththakam A Book
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72
vWk;g[
eRumbu
Ant
fUk;g[
Karumbu
Sugarcane
brk;g[
chembu
A container
mUk;g[ arumbu
Bud
cg;g[
uppu
Salt
gUg;g[
paruppu
Nut
Beginners Programme
73
fUg;g[
karuppu
Black
rptg;g[
civappu
Red
Letter ‘a[’ is pronounced as ‘yu’
Example
a[
yu
As in the word Uranium
‘a[’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘a[’
Ma[jk;
Ayudham
Weapon
a[j;jk;
yudhdham
War
a[td;
yuvan
Youngman
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74
kiya[rr; p malaiyuchchi
Mountain peak
Letter ‘R’ is pronounced as ‘chu’ or ‘su’
Example
R
Chu
As in the word sugar
‘R’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘R’
fhR
kAsu
Coin
gR
pasu
Cow
Rtu;
chuvar
Wall
bfhYR
kolusu
Anklet
Beginners Programme
g R
75
panjchu
Cotton
fj;jpupg;gp R kaththirippinjchu Tender Brinjal
e R
n’anjchu
Poison
k R
manjchu
Cloud
Letter ‘t[’ is pronounced as ‘vu’
Example
t[
vu
As in the word wood
‘t[’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘t[’
fjt[
kathavu
Door
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76
bert[
Nesavu
Weaving
cHt[
uzhavu
ploughig
epyt[
n’ilavu
Moon
Letter ‘L’ is pronounced as either ‘tu, or du’
Example
L
tu
L
du As in the word fraudulence
As in the word Took
‘L’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘L’
tPL
vIdu
khL
mAdu Cow
House
Beginners Programme
77
mLg;g[
aduppu Stove
ML
Adu
Goat
vl;L
ettu
Eight
gl;L
pattu
Silk
jl;L
thattu
Plate
btl;L
vettu
To Cut
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78
Letter ‘K’ is pronounced as ‘mu’
Example
K
mu
As in the word municipality
‘K’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘K’
Kfk;
mukam
Face
Kl;il
muttai
Egg
Kg;gJ
muppathu
Thirty
Kj;J
muththu
Peral
Letter ‘G’ is pronounced as ‘zhu’
Example
G
zhu
As in the word kazhugu
(Eagle)
Beginners Programme
79
‘G’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘G’
fGij
kazhuthai
Donkey
bkGFtu;j;jp mezuhkuvarthi Candle
vGgJ
ezhupathu
Seventy
Letter ‘U’ is pronounced as ‘ru’
Example
U
ru
As in the word Rupee
‘U’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘U’
fUk;g[
karumbu
Sugarcane
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80
mUtp
aruvi
KUfd;
murugan Lord Muruga
beUg;g[
n’eruppu Fire
FUtp
kuruvi
Waterfall
Sparrow
Letter ‘F’ is pronounced as ‘ku’
Example
F
ku
As in the word cook
Beginners Programme
81
‘F’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘F’
Fil
kudai
Fu F
kurangu Monkey
Fapy;
kuyil
Umbrella
Cuckoo
Letter ‘ F’ is pronounced as ‘ngku’
Example
F
ngku
As in the word Mangoose
‘ F’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ F’
Fu F
kurangku
Monkey
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E F
n’ungku
Tenderpalmyra fruit
r F
changku
Conch
fpH F
kizhangku Root vegetable
Letter ‘f;F’ is pronounced as ‘kku’
Example
f;F
kku
As in the word Ruckus
‘f;F’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘f;F’
ehf;F
n’Akku
Tongue
\f;F
mUkku
Nose
Beginners Programme
83
njf;F
thEkku
Teak
brf;F
chekku
Oil-press
Letter ‘J’ is pronounced as ‘thu’
Example
J
thu
As in the word Throat
‘J’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘J’
Jzp
thuNi
Cloth
JLg;g[
thuduppu
Oar
Jk;gp
thumbi
Dragonfly
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84
Jyhf;nfhy; thulAkkol
Balance
Letter ‘e;J’ is pronounced as ‘n’thu’ or ‘n’dhu’
Example:
e;J
n’thu
As in the word
marukkozhunthu
‘e;J’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘e;J’
gUe;J
parundhu
Vulture
kUe;J
marundhu
Medicine
ge;J
pandhu
Ball
gj;J
paththu
Ten
Beginners Programme
85
thj;J
vAththu
Duck
Tj;J
kUththu
Folk drama
Letter ‘E’ is pronounced as ‘n’u’
Example
E
n’u
As in the word Numeral
‘E’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘E’
E F
n’ungku
Tender Palmyra
fruit
Edp
n’uni
Tip
EiuaPuy;
n’uraiyIral Lung
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Ezy;
n’uNal
Frog
Letter ‘Y’ is pronounced as ‘lu’
Example
Y
lu
As in the word look
‘Y’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘Y’
vYk;g[
elumbu
Bone
bfhYR
kolusu
Anklet
bfhY
kolu
Array of figurines
bfhYU koluru
Trowel
Beginners Programme
87
ð£ì‹ - 8
C
Pronunciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘C’ is pronounced as ‘U’
Example
C
U
As in the word woofer
‘C’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘C’
C ry;
Unjcal
Swing
Cjy;
Udhal
Whistle
Crp
Uci
Needle
Cjhepwk; UthAniRam Violet
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Letter ‘g{’ is pronounced as ‘pU’
Example
g{
pU
As in the word pool
‘g{’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the Letter ‘g{’
g{
pU
Flower
g{l;L
pUTTu
Lock
jk;g{uh
thampUrA
A a string
instrument
fw;g{uk;
kaRpUram
Camphor
Beginners Programme
jhk;g{yk;
89
thAmpUlam
Betal leaves
and areca nuts
Letter ‘a{’ is a pronounced as ‘yU’
Example
a{
yU
As in the word you
‘a{’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘a{’
a{fypg;l!; yUkaliptas
Eucalyptus
ka{uk;
mayUram
Peacock
a{ju;fs;
yUtharkaL
Jews
Letter ‘N’ is pronounced as ‘cU’
Example
N
cU
As in the word soup
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90
‘N’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘N’
Nupad;
cUriyan
Sun
Nwhtsp
cURAvaLi
Tornedo
Ndpaf;fhup
cUniyakkAri
Witch
Nyha[jk;
cUlAyutham Trident
br Nupad; cenjcUrian
Redsun
Letter ‘t{’ is pronounced as ‘vU’
Example
t{
vU As in the word wool
Beginners Programme
91
‘t{’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘t{’
tYt{l;L
valuvUTTu Strengthen
j rht{u;
thanjcAvUr Name of a place
in Thamizh nAdu
Letter ‘?’ is pronounced as ‘TU’
Example
?
TU
As in the word Do
‘?’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘?’
it?upak;
vaiTUriyam
A precious stone
bfh?uk;
koTUram
Cruelty
Letter ‘\’ is pronounced as ‘mU’
Example
\
mU
As in the word Move
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
92
‘\’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘\’
\f;F
mUkku
Nose
\d;W
mUnRu
Three
\ fpy; mUngkil
Bamboo
\l;il mUTTai
Sack
Letter ‘=’ is pronounced as ‘zhU’
Example
=
zhU
As in the word makizhUrthi
(pleasure car)
Beginners Programme
93
‘=’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘=’
T=w;wy; kUzhUtRRal
A ritual
Letter ‘+’ is pronounced as ‘rU’
Example
+
rU
As in the word Root
‘+’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘+’
+gha;
rUpAi
Rupee
Letter ‘T’ is pronounced as ‘kU’
Example
T
kU
As in the word Coup
‘T’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘T’
Tz;L
kUNdu
Cage
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94
Tl;lk;
kUTTam Crowd (or) meeting
TL
kUTu
Nest
Te;jy;
kUnthal
Hair
e Tuk;
nangkUram Anchor
Letter ‘J}’ is pronounced as ‘thU’
Example
J}
thU
As in the word thUN
(Pillar)
Beginners Programme
95
‘J}’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘J}’
J}f;fzh FUtp thUkkaNAng
Weaver Bird
-kuruvi
J}ju;
thUthar
Emissary
J}sp
thULi
Cradle made
with a long
piece of cloth
bre;J}uk;
cen’thUram Calcined powder
red in colour
bre;J}f;F
cen’thUkku Straight upward
Letter ‘E}’ is pronounced as ‘n’U’
Example
E}
n’U
As in the word Noose
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96
‘E}’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘E}’
E}y;
n’Ul
Thread
E}W
n’URu
Hundred
E}yfk;
n’Ulagam Library
Ke;E}W
mun’n’URu Three Hundred
Letter ‘Y}’ is pronounced as ‘lU’
Example
Y}
lU
As in the word Loom
Beginners Programme
97
‘Y}’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘Y}’
fy;Y}up
kallUri
College
ty;Y}W
vallURu
Falcon
ghY}l;o
pAlUTTi
Mammal
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98
ð£ì‹ - 9
w
I
Pronounciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘w’ is pronounced as ‘R’
Example
w
R
As in the word Run
‘w’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘w’
,wF
iRaku
Feather
Kwk;
muRam
Winnowing Pan
gwit
paRavai
Bird
Vw;wk;
EtRRam
Shadoof
Beginners Programme
Fw;wthsp
99
kutRRavALi
Culprit
Letter ‘I’ is pronounced as ‘I’
Example
I
I
As in the word aisle
‘I’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘I’
Ie;J
aIn’thu
Five
Ie;E}W
aIn’n’URu
Five Hundred
Inuhg;gh aIrOppA
Europe
Iadhu;
Village Deity
aIyanAr
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
100
Letter ‘W’ is pronounced as ‘Ru’
Example
W
Ru
As in the word putRRu
(Anthill)
‘W’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘W’
Cw;W
UtRRu
Spring
ehw;W
n’atARRu
Seedling
fPw;W
kItRRu
Small protion
of a coconut leaf
Letter ‘wh’ is pronounced as ‘RA’
Example
wh
RA
As in the Word Rocket
Beginners Programme
101
‘wh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘wh’
fhw;who
KAtRRATi
Kite
Fw;whyk;
kutRRAlam
A place
rpw;whW
sitRRARu
Stream
fw;whiH
katRRAzhai
Aloe
Letter ‘wp’ is pronounced as ‘Ri’
Example
wp
Ri
As in the word River
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
102
‘wp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘wp’
brk;kwpahL
chemmaRiyATu
Sheep
md;wpy;
antRil
Love birds
gd;wp
pantRi
Pig
tprpwp
visiRi
Fan
Letter ‘W}’ is pronounced as ‘RU’
Example
W}
RU
As in the word Room
Beginners Programme
103
‘W}’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘W}’
rpw;W}u;
chitRRUr
Hamlet
fw;W}z;
katRRUN
Stone hench
Letter ‘bw’ is pronounced as ‘Re’
Example
bw
Re
As in the word Red
‘bw’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bw’
rpw;bwWk;g[
ciRReRumpu
Red ant
rpw;bwyp
chitRReli
Mouse
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
104
Letter ‘nw’ is pronounced as ‘RE’
Example
nw
RE
As in the word Radar
‘nw’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nw’
rw;nw
satRRE
fw;nwd;
katRREn (I) Learnt
Just a moment
Letter ‘if’ is pronounced as ‘kai’
Example
if
kai
As in the word kite
‘if’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘if’
iff;fofhuk;
kaikkadikAram Wristwatch
Beginners Programme
105
g[if
pukai
Smoke
fhf;if
kAkkai
Crow
ifjp
kaithi
Prisoner
nt if
vEngkai
Tiger
j if
thangkai
Younger Sister
Letter ‘ir’ is pronounced as ‘chai’ or ‘sai’
Example
ir
chai
As in the word Sign
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
106
‘ir’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ir’
gr;ir
pachchai Green
bkhr;ir
mochchai Bean
kPir
mIsai
Moustache
njhir
thOsai
Dosa
j ir
thanjsai
Thanjavur
g ir
panjchai
Poor
e ir
n’anjchai Wet land
Beginners Programme
g{ ir
107
punjchai weak
Letter ‘i ’ is pronounced as ‘njai’
Example
i
njai
As in the word majnjai
(Peacock)
‘i ’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘i ’
cHpi
uzhinjai
A flower
Letter ‘il’ is pronounced as ‘Tai’
Example
il
Tai
As in the word Tie
‘il’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘il’
Mil
ATai
Dress
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
108
Til
kUTai
Basket
gfil
pakaTai
Dice
nkil
mETai
Dais
Letter ‘ij’ is pronounced as ‘thai’
Example
ij
thai
As in the word thigh
‘ij’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ij’
ijaw;bghwp thaiyaRpoRi Sewing Machine
Beginners Programme
109
tpij
vithai
Seed
bkj;ij
meththai
Bed
ej;ij
n’aththai
Snail
Me;ij
An’thai
Owl
ke;ij
man’thai
Herd
re;ij
can’thai
Market
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
110
je;ij
than’thai
Father
Letter ‘ie’ is pronounced as ‘n’ai’
Example
ie
n’ai
As in the word Nitrogen
‘ie’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ie’
bghUie MW porun’ai ARu
River
porunai
iey; MW
Nile river
n’ailARu
ieahz;o nksk; n’aiyANTi mELam Percussion
Instrument
Beginners Programme
111
Letter ‘ig’ is pronounced as ‘pai’
Example
ig
pai
As in the word python
‘ig’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ig’
igad;
paiyan
Boy
mfg;ig
akappai
Wooden ladle
ig
pai
Bag
nfhg;ig
kOppai
Trophy
fUk; ig
karum pai
Black bag
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
112
Kk;ig
Mumbai
Mumbai
Letter ‘ik’ is pronounced as ‘mai’
Example
ik
mai
As in the word mike
‘ik’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ik’
Mik
Amai
Tortoise
fz;ik
kaNmai
Kohi
vUik
erumai
Buffalo
Beginners Programme
113
Letter ‘iu’ is pronounced as ‘rai’
Example
iu
rai
As in the word Rice
‘iu’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘iu’
jhkiu
thAmarai
Lotus
Mw;w fiu AtRRangkarai River bank
jpiu
thirai
Screen
Tiu
kUrai
Roof
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
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Letter ‘iy’ is pronounced as ‘lai’
Example
iy
lai
As in the word like
‘iy’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘iy’
kiy
malai
Mountain
jiy
thalai
Head
tiy
valai
Net
rpiy
silai
Statue
Beginners Programme
115
Letter ‘it’ is pronounced as ‘vai’
Example
it
vai
As in the word Viva voce exam.
‘it’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘it’
ituk;
vairam
Diamond
nghu;it
pOrvai
Bedsheet
itf;nfhy;
vaikkOl
Straw
itif
vaigai
A river
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Letter ‘iH’ is pronounced as ‘zhai’
Example
iH
zhai
As in the word Thazhai
‘iH’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘iH’
kiH
mazhai
miHg;gpjH;
azhaippithahz Invitation
thiH
vAzhai
Plantain
jhiH
thAzhai
Fragrant
screw pine
Rain
Beginners Programme
117
Letter ‘iw’ is pronounced as ‘Rai’
Example
iw
Rai
As in the word SunRise
‘iw’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘iw’
ghiw
pARai
Rock
rpiw
ciRai
Prison
fw;fhiw
kaRkARai
Cement
fw;iw
katRRai
Bundle
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ð£ì‹ - 10
s
d
z
Pronunciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘s’ is pronounced as ‘La’
Example
s
La
As in the word Lung
‘s’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘s’
bts;sk;
veLLam
Flood
tpsf;F
viLakku
Lamp
gs;sk;
paLLam
Pit
Letter ‘d’ is pronounced as ‘na’
Example
d
na
As in the word nurse
Beginners Programme
119
‘d’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘d’
rd;dy;
cannal
Window
thdk;
vAnam
Sky
kd;dd;
mannan
King
kpd;dy;
minnal
Lightning
Letter ‘z’ is pronounced as ‘Na’
Example
z
Na
As in the word vaNakkam
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120
‘z’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘z’
fpzW
kiNaRu
Well
gzk;
paNam
Money
fpz;zk;
kiNNam
Bowl
tz;zk;
vaNNam
Color
Letter ‘s;’ is pronounced as ‘L’
Example
s;
L
As in the word Full
‘s;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘s;’
k rs;
manjcaL
Turmeric
Beginners Programme
121
gs;sp
paLLi
gs;S
paLLu
jpUts;Stu;
ThiruvaLLuvar Thiruvalluvar
School
A kind of
Thamizh Literary
Genere/Form
Letter ‘d;’ is pronounced as ‘n’
Example:
d;
n
As in the word Fan
‘d;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;:
Words with the letter ‘d;’
khd;
mAn
Deer
gd;dPu;
pannIr
Rose water
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njd;TL
thEnkUddu
Honey comb
kPd;
mIn
Fish
Letter ‘z;’ is pronounced as ‘N’
Example:
z;
N
As in the word win
‘z;’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘z;’
ez;gu;
n’aNpar
Friend
fz;
kaN
Eye
Beginners Programme
kz;lgk;
123
maNTapam
Stone Pillared
structure open
on all sides
Letter sh is pronounced as LA
Example
sh
LA
As in the word Law
‘sh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;:
Words with the letter ‘sh’
tpshk;gHk; viLAmpazham
Wood Apple
fsh fha;
kaLAngkAy
A berry
bts;shL
veLLATu
Goat
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124
fhshd;
kALAn
Mushroom
Letter dh is pronounced as nA
Example
dh
nA
As in the word Novel
‘dh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘dh’
ngdh
pEnA
Pen
md;dhrpg;gHk;
annAsippazham
Pineapple
rPdh
cInA
China
Beginners Programme
125
Letter zh is pronounced as NA
Example
zh
NA
As in the word Nought
‘zh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘zh’
fz;zho
kaNNAdi
Spectacles
mz;zhJiu aNNAthurai
Annathurai
Rz;zhk;gf[ f; ™ suNNAmpukal
Lime stone
gpz;zhf;F
Oil-Cake
piNNAkku
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Letter sp is pronounced as Li
Example
sp
Li
As in the word Lip
‘sp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘sp’
ts;sp
vaLLi
A girl’s name
md;gspg;g[
anpaLippu
Gift
Letter sP is pronounced as LI
Example
sP
LI
As in the word Leap
‘sP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘sP’
nfsPu;
kELIr
Listen
Beginners Programme
gsPu;
127
paLIr
Bright
Letter dp is pronounced as ni
Example
dp
ni
As in the word nick-name
‘dp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘dp’
fdp
kani
Fruit
gdp
pani
Mist
Letter dP is pronounced as nI
Example
dP
nI
As in the word niecel
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128
‘dP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘dP’
gd;dPub
; rk;g[ pannIrsembu
A container
with Rosewater
njdP
Honey Bee
thEnI
Letter zp is pronounced as Ni
Example
zp
Ni
As in the word Nil
‘zp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘zp’
kzp
maNi
Hour
fzpdp
kaNini
Computer
Beginners Programme
129
Letter zP is pronounced as NI
Example
zP
NI
As in the word Neam Tree
‘zP’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘zP’
fz;zPu;
kaNNIr
Tears
jz;zPu;
thaNNIr
Water
Letter S is pronounced as Lu
Example
S
Lu
As in the word Look
‘S’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘S’
jpUts;Stu;
ThiruvaLLuvar A thamizh poet
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Letter ~ is pronounced as LU
Example
~
LU
As in the word Loop
‘~’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘~’
bg f~u;
BengkaLUr
Banglore
cs;~u;
uLLUr
Local place
Letter D is pronounced as nu
Example
D
nu
As in the word numerals
‘D’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘D’
kD
manu
Petition
Beginners Programme
g[DF
131
punuku
Perfume prepared
from Civet
Letter D} is pronounced as nU
Example
D}
nU
As in the word Noon
‘D}’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘D}’
ed;D}y;
n’annUl
Thamizh grammar
thD}u;jp
vAnUrthi
Aeroplane
Letter q is pronounced as Nu
Example
q
Nu
As in the word Nutrient
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‘q’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘q’
fqf;fhy;
kaNukkAl
Letter q} is pronounced as NU
Example
q}
NU
As in the word Nook
‘q}’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘q}’
tpz;q}u;jp viNNUrthi Rocket
Letter ‘bs’ is pronounced as ‘Le’
Example
bs
Le
As in the word Letter
Beginners Programme
133
‘bs’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bs’
thbsL
vALeTu
Letter ‘ns’ is pronounced as ‘LE’
Example
ns
LE
As in the word Lake
‘ns’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ns’
ehnsL
n’ALETu
Newspaper
Letter ‘bd’ is pronounced as ‘ne’
Example
bd
ne
As in the word Neck
‘bd’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bd’
gd;bdL fhyk;
pannetungkAlam
A long time
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vd;bdd;d
ennenna
What ever?
Letter ‘nd’ is pronounced as ‘nE’
Example
nd
nE
As in the word Name
‘nd’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nd’
jd;ndupy;yh
thannErillA
Incomparable
Letter ‘bz’ is pronounced as ‘Ne’
Example
bz
Ne
As in the word Next
‘bz’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bz’
vz;bza;
eNNey
btz;bza; veNNey
Oil
Butter
Beginners Programme
135
Letter ‘is’ is pronounced as ‘Lai’
Example
is Lai
As in the word Life
‘is’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘is’
tisay;
vaLaiyal
Bangle
khJis
mAthuLai
Pomogranate
Letter ‘id’ is pronounced as ‘nai’
Example
id
nai
As in the word nylon
‘id’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘id’
g{id
pUnai
Cat
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bjd;id thennai
Coconut Tree
ahid
Elephent
yAnai
Letter ‘iz’ is pronounced as ‘Nai’
Example
iz
Nai
as in the word Knife
‘iz’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘iz’
jiyaiz
thalaiyaNai
Pillow
Vt[fiz
EvukaNai
Missile
Beginners Programme
tPiz
137
vINai
A String
Instrument
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ð£ì‹ - 11
x
X
xs
Pronounciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘x’ is pronounced as ‘o’
Example:
x
o
As in the word one
‘x’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘x’
xl;lfk;
oTTakam
Camel
xd;gJ
onpathu
Nine
xl;lfr;rptp fp ottakachchivingki Giraffe
Beginners Programme
139
Letter ‘X’ is pronounced as ‘O’
Example
X
O
As in the word Open
‘X’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘X’
Xlk;
Otam
(small) boat
Xzhd;
ONAn
Lizard
Xiy
Olai
Palmyra leaf
Xtpak;
Oviyam
Painting
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140
Letter ‘xs’ is pronounced as ‘au’
Example
xs
au
As in the
word cow
xsljk;
autatham
Medicine
xsitahu;
auvaiyAr
A Thamizh poet
xsu frPg;
aurangkachIp
A moghul
king
Letter ‘bfh’ is pronounced as ‘ko’
Example:
bfh
ko
As in the word koran
(Holy book)
Beginners Programme
141
‘bfh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bfh’
bfhk;g[
kompu
Stick
bfhz;il koNTai
Hair-do
bfhR
Mosquito
kosu
br bfho chengkoTi
Red colour
Flag
rhtpf;bfhj;J chAvikkoththu
Bunch of Keys
Letter ‘nfh’ is pronounced as ‘kO’
Example
nfh
kO
As in the word coke
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
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‘nfh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nfh’
nfhHp
kOzhi
Hen
nfhg[uk;
kOpuram
Tower
nfhL
kOTu
Line
br nfhl;il chengkOttai Red fort
br nfhy;
chengkOL
Kf;nfhzk;
mukkONam Triangle
Sceptre
Letter ‘brh’ is pronounced as ‘cho’
Example
brh
cho
As in the word solution
Beginners Programme
143
‘brh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘brh’
brhf;fl;lhd;
chokkattAn Dice
brhf;fha;
chokkAy
Shirt
nrhW
choRu
Rice
Letter ‘nrh’ is pronounced as ‘chO’
Example
nrh
chO
As in the word choke
‘nrh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nrh’
nrhHp
chOzhi
Shell
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nrhiy
chOlai
Garden
nrhsk;
chOzhLam
Corn
Letter ‘ nrh’ is pronounced as ‘njcO’
Example
nrh
njcO
As in the word
arunjcOl
(rare word)
‘ nrh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ nrh’
kh nrhiy mAnjchOLai
Mango Groove
g{ nrhiy
Flower garden
pUnjcOLai
Beginners Programme
145
Letter ‘blh’ is pronounced as ‘To’
Example
blh
To
As in the word octopus
‘blh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘blh’
gl;blhsp
pattoLi
Shine of silk
Letter ‘nlh’ is pronounced as ‘TO’
Example
nlh
TO
As in the word Door
‘nlh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nlh’
ehnlho
ñAtOti
Nomad
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nfl;nlhu;
KEttOr
Those who listened
el;nlhu;
ñattOr
Those who planted
fz;nlhk;
kaNtOm
We saw
Letter ‘bzh’ is pronounced as ‘No’
Example
bzh No
As in the word
viNNoLi (lightning)
‘bzh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bzh’
fz;bzhsp
kaNNoLi
vision
Beginners Programme
147
Letter ‘nzh’ is pronounced as ‘NO’
Example
nzh
NO
As in the word notice
‘nzh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nzh’
fz;nzhL
kaNNOTu
kz;nzhL
maNNOTu With the mud
With the eyes
Letter ‘bjh’ is pronounced as ‘tho’
Example
bjh
tho
As in the word thorax
‘bjh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bjh’
bjhl;o
Thotti
Tub
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bjhg;gp
Thoppi
Hat
gj;bjhd;gJ paththonpathu Nineteen
bjhL
thotu
Touch
bjhiyngrp tholaipEci
Telephone
Letter ‘e;bjh’ is pronounced as ‘ñtho’
Examples
e;bjh
ñtho
As in the word Virunthotu
‘e;bjh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘e;bjh’
ge;bjhL pañthotu
With the ball
Beginners Programme
149
Letter ‘njh’ is pronounced as ‘thO’
Example
njh
thO
As in the word thorium
‘njh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘njh’
njhl;lk;
thOttam
Garden
njhg;g[
thOppu
grove
njhzp
thONi
Boat
njhL
thOTu
Ear Stud
njhif
thOkai
Tail feathers
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150
Letter ‘beh’ is pronounced as ‘ño’
Example
beh
ño
As in the word notarial
‘beh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘beh’
behz;oMl;lk; ñoNtiATTam
Hopping game
behr;rp,iy
ñochchi ilai
Nochileaves
beha;auprp
ñoyyarichi
Broken rice
behWf;Fj; jPdp ñoRukkuththIni Small eats
Letter ‘neh’ is pronounced as ‘ñO’
Example
neh
ñO
As in the word noble
Beginners Programme
151
‘neh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘neh’
nehahsp
ñOyALi
Patient
neht[
ñOvu
Pain
nehd;g[f; f rp ñOnpukkanjchi
Porridge
+gha;nehl;L rUpAyñOttu
Ruppee note
Letter ‘bgh’ is pronounced as ‘po’
Example
bgh
po
As in the word poem
‘bgh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bgh’
bgh fy; tpHh pongkal vizhAPongkal festival
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bghk;ik
pommai
Doll
bghl;L
pottu
Bindi
jPgb
; ghwp
thIppoRi
Spark
Letter ‘k;bgh’ is pronounced as ‘mpo’
Example
k;bgh
mpo
As in the word Rambo
‘k;bgh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘k;bgh’
brk;bghd;
chempon
Pure gold
Beginners Programme
mk;bghL
153
ampotu
With the arrow
Letter ‘ngh’ is pronounced as ‘pO’
Example
ngh
pO
As in the word Pogo
‘ngh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ngh’
nghu;it
pOrvai
Bed sheet
jlfsg; nghl;o thaTakaLappOtti
Track Event
nghsp
pOLi
Food item
nghu;ff; sk;
pOrkkaLam
Warfare
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brk;nghj;J
chempOththu
Tender branch
Letter ‘bkh’ is pronounced as ‘mo’
Example
bkh
mo
As in the word mauritius
‘bkh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bkh’
bkhl;ilkho mottaimAti
Open Terrace
bkhl;il
mottai
Bald
bkhl;L
mothu
Bud
bkhl;ilj;jiy mottaiththalai Tonsure head
Beginners Programme
bkhr;ir
155
mochchai
Beans
Letter ‘nkh’ is pronounced as ‘mO’
Example
nkh
mO
As in the word most
‘nkh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nkh’
nkhu;
mOr
Buttermilk
nkhjy;
mOthal
Clash
nkhjpuk; mOthiram
Ring
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Letter ‘bah’ is pronounced as ‘yo’
Example
bah
yo
As in the word violin
‘bah’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bah’
ghbahL
pAyotu
With the mat
nrbahL
chEyotu
With the child
Letter ‘nah’ is pronounced as ‘yO’
Example:
nah
yO
As in the word Yoga
‘nah’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nah’
nahfp
yOki
Saint
Beginners Programme
nrnahd;
157
cEyOn
Lord Muruga
Letter ‘buh’ is pronounced as ‘ro’
Example
buh
ro
As in the word romantic
‘buh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘buh’
buhl;o
rotti
Bread
buhf;fk;
rokkam
Cash
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Letter ‘nuh’ is pronounced as ‘rO’
Example
nuh rO
As in the word rose
‘nuh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nuh’
njnuhl;lk;
thErOttam
Charioteering
Vnuhl;lk;
ErOttam
Ploughing
nuh$hg;g{
rOjAppU
Rose flower
Letter ‘byh’ is pronounced as ‘Lo’
Example
byh
Lo
As in the word location
Beginners Programme
159
‘byh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘byh’
fhbyhoe;J kALotiñthu
Fractured leg
ghbyhL
With milk
pAlotu
Letter ‘nyh’ is pronounced as ‘lO’
Example
nyh lO
As in the word lotus
‘nyh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nyh’
fg;gnyhl;oa jkpHd; kappalOttiya A freedom
thamizhan
fighter
cnyhfk;
UlOkam
Metal
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Letter ‘bth’ is pronounced as ‘vo’
Example
bth
vo
As in the word vortex
‘bth’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bth’
xt;bthU
ovvoru
Each
vt;bthU
evvoru
Which ever
Letter ‘nth’ is pronounced as ‘vO’
Example
nth vO
As in the word voter
‘nth’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nth’
xt;nthu;
ovvOr
Each one
Beginners Programme
161
mz;zhnth> aNNAvO
Is it Anna?
Letter ‘bHh’ is pronounced as ‘zho’
Example
bHh
zho
As in the word yAzholi
(music of Harp)
‘bHh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bHh’
fPbHhL
KIzhotu
With the bottom
Letter ‘nHh’ is pronounced as ‘zhO’
Example
nHh
zhO
As in the word KAzhor
(Mahouts)
‘nHh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nHh’
CnHhL
UzhOtu
With fate
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ghnHh>
pazhO?
Spoilt?
TnHh>
kUzhO?
Porridge?
Letter ‘bsh’ is pronounced as ‘Lo’
Example
bsh
Lo
As in the word locate
‘bsh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bsh’
thbshL
vALotu
With the sword
kf;fbshL
makkaLotu
With the people
Beginners Programme
163
bts;bshsp veLLoLi
jp fbshL
White light
thingkaLotu With the moon
Letter ‘nsh’ is pronounced as ‘LO’
Example
nsh LO
As in the word load
‘nsh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nsh’
cs;nshu; uLLOr
People present
nfnshk; kELOm
We won’t listen
bts;nshl;lk; veLLOttam Trial run
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164
thnshL vALOtu
With the sword
Letter ‘bwh’ is pronounced as ‘Ro’
Example
bwh
Ro
As in the word Row
‘bwh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bwh’
kw;bwhUtu;
maRRoruvar
Another person
gw;bwhL
paRRotu
With affection
kw;bwhd;W
maRRonRu
Another one
brhw;bwhlu;
choRRotar
Phrase
Beginners Programme
165
Letter ‘nwh’ is pronounced as ‘RO’
Example
nwh RO
As in the word Road
‘nwh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘nwh’
fw;nwhu;
kaRROr
bgw;nwhu; peRROr
The learned
Parents
Mw;nwhuk; ARROram River side
Letter ‘bdh’ is pronounced as ‘no’
Example
bdh
no
As in the word valcano
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
166
‘bdh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bdh’
khbdhL mAnotu
With deer
njbdhL tEnotu
With honey
gjpbdhd;W pathinonRu Eleven
Letter ‘ndh’ is pronounced as ‘nO’
Example
ndh
nO
As in the word
notebook
‘ndh’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘ndh’
kd;dndhL
mannanOtu With the king
Beginners Programme
thndhu;
167
vAnOr
Angels
Letter ‘bfs’ is pronounced as ‘kau’
Example
bfs
kau
As in the word Cow
‘bfs’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bfs’
bfsutu;
kauravar
Gauravas
bfsjkg[jj; u; kautnama-puththar Buddha
bfskhuk;
kaumAram
Lord Muruga cult
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
168
Letter ‘brs’ is pronounced as ‘chau’
Example
brs
chau
As in the word South
‘brs’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘brs’
brsup
chauri
False hair
brse;ju;ak; chauñtaryam Beauty
Letter ‘bgs’ is pronounced as ‘pau’
Example
bgs
pau
As in the word powder
‘bgs’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bgs’
bgsu;zkp paurNami
Full Moon
Beginners Programme
169
bgstk;
pauvam
Sea
bgsj;jk;
pauththam
Buddhism
Letter ‘bks’ is pronounced as ‘mau’
Example
bks
mau
As in the word mouth
‘bks’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bks’
bksdk;
maunam
Silence
bksupau;
mauriyar
Mauriyas
bksOfk;
mauTIkam Ignorance
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
170
bksty;
mauval
Jasmine
Letter ‘bas’ is pronounced as ‘yau’
Example
bas yau
As in the word yowl
‘bas’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bas’
bastdk;
yauvanam Youthhood
bastdu;
yauvanar
Youth
Letter ‘bts’ is pronounced as ‘vau’
Example
bts
vau
As in the word vow
Beginners Programme
171
‘bts’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘bts’
btsthy;
vauvAl
Bat
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
172
ð£ì‹ - 12
`
Pronounciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘`’ is pronounced as ‘Ht’
Example
`
As in the word October
‘`’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘`’
v`J
eHthu
As in the word which?
m`J
aHthu
As in the word That
,`J
iHthu
As in the word This
Beginners Programme
173
ð£ì‹ - 13
mfu tupir
The Alphabetical Order
In the 12 Lessons that preceded, we had presented to you all the Thamizh
letters. The presentation has been made in the order of simplicity in the written forms.
In this lesson, we present to you the Alphabetical order of the Thamizh vowels and
the Thamizh consonants. You should know the Alphabetical order. It will help you in
the use of dictionaries as the entries in the dictionaries are arranged in the alphabetical
order. It will also help you in locating the information you need in an address book,
an anthology of poems, a glossary, an encyclopedia or any such collection where
entries are listed in alphabetical order. So learning the alphabetical order is of practical
relevance.
bka; vGj;Jfs;
Consonants
In the second part of this lesson, we present the Thamizh consonants in their
alphabetical order. As you see, all the consonants are marked with a dot above them.
These consonants are mute because it is difficult to pronounce them in isolation.
Usually the vowel i is prefixed while pronouncing the mute consonants. Listen to
their pronounciation now in the same alphabetical order. You may now turn to the
song given here by clicking the icon. As you listen to the song, check the order of
highlighted consonants in the first syllable of each line. If you remember this song,
you will remember the alphabetical order of the 18 Thamizh consonants.
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
174
bka;vGj;J+capu;
capu;vGj;J = capu;bka; vGj;J
l;
k;
H;
r;
j;
g;
k;
u;
f;
l;
g;
k;
u;
f;
l;
a;
k;
u;
f;
e;
y;
y;
g;
k;
u;
f;
e;
y;
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
… +
k; +
u; +
m
m
m
m
m
M
M
M
M
,
,
,
,
,
<
<
<
<
<
M
M
,
v
v
v
v
v
v
v
V
V
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
l
k
H
r
j
gh
kh
uh
fh
o
gp
kp
up
fp
O
aP
kP
uP
fP
eh
yh
yp
bg
bk
bu
bf
be
by
bë
nk
nu
g;
a;
u;
f;
l;
a;
H;
r;
j;
j;
a;
H;
r;
j;
g;
l;
H;
r;
j;
ƒ
t;
t;
a;
H;
r;
j;
ƒ
t;
l;
H;
r;
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
m
m
m
m
M
M
M
M
M
<
,
,
,
,
<
,
<
<
<
M
M
,
v
v
v
v
v
v
V
V
V
= g
= a
= u
= f
= lh
= ah
= Hh
= rh
= jh
= jP
= ap
= Hp
= rp
= jp
= gP
= o
= HP
= rP
= jP
=
= th
= tp
= ba
= bH
= br
= bj
= b
= bt
= nl
= nH
= nr
Beginners Programme
f; + V =
e; + V =
y; + V =
… + V =
g; + c =
r; + c =
t; + c =
k; + c =
u; + c =
j; + c =
y; + c =
g; + C =
r; + C =
t; + C =
k; + C =
u; + C =
j; + C =
y; + C =
w; + , =
w; + c =
w; + v =
f; + I =
r; + I =
l; + I =
e; + I =
a; + I =
t; + I =
w; + I =
s; + M =
z; + M =
nf
ne
ny
n
g[
R
t[
K
U
J
Y
g{
N
t{
\
+
J}
Y}
wp
W
bw
if
ir
il
ie
ia
it
iw
sh
zh
175
j; + V =
ƒ + V =
t; + V =
… + M =
a; + c =
ƒ + c =
l; + c =
H; + c =
f; + c =
e; + c =
… + c =
a; + C =
ƒ + C =
l; + C =
H; + C =
f; + C =
e; + C =
… + C =
w; + < =
w; + C =
w; + V =
ƒ + I =
… + I =
j; + I =
k; + I =
u; + I =
H; + I =
z; + M =
d; + M =
nj
n
nt
h
a[
L
G
F
E
a{
?
=
T
E}
wP
W}
nw
i
i
ij
ik
iu
iH
zh
dh
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
176
Observe the pure consonants and the vowel consonants of all
consonants with x and X
f; +
ƒ+
r; +
…+
l; +
z;+
j; +
e; +
g; +
k; +
a; +
u; +
y; +
t; +
H; +
s; +
w; +
d; +
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
bfh
b h
brh
b h
blh
bzh
bjh
beh
bgh
bkh
bah
buh
byh
bth
bHh
bsh
bwh
bdh
f; +
ƒ+
r; +
…+
l; +
z; +
j; +
e; +
g; +
k; +
a; +
u; +
y; +
t; +
H; +
s; +
w; +
d; +
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
nfh
n h
nrh
n h
nlh
nzh
njh
neh
ngh
nkh
nah
nuh
nyh
nth
nHh
nsh
nwh
ndh
xs is added to a consonant letter by omitting the dot above it,
prefixing the sign b and adding the sign s after the consonant.
f;
r;
l;
j;
g;
a;
y;
H;
w;
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
bfs
brs
bls
bjs
bgs
bas
bys
bHs
bws
ƒ+
…+
z;+
e; +
k; +
u; +
t; +
s; +
d; +
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
xs
= bés
= bës
= bzs
= bes
= bks
= bus
= bts
= bss
= bds
Beginners Programme
177
ð£ì‹ - 14
$
#
!
&
Pronunciation/xypg;g[
Letter ‘$’ is pronounced as ‘ja’
Example
‘$’ ja
As in the word jungle
‘$’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘$’
$y;ypf;fl;L jallikkattu Bull fight
$fk;
jakam
World
$lhKo
jatamuti
Matted hair
$y;yp
jalli
Road metal
Q
|
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
178
Letter ‘#’ is pronounced as ‘Sha’
Example
‘#’
Sha
As in the word Station
‘#’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘#’
#z;Kfk;
ShaNmukam
Lord Muruga
##;o
Shashti
An auspicious
day
tU#k;
varuSham
Year
#uj;J
(xg;ge;jk;)
Sharaththu
Clause
Letter ‘!’ is pronounced as ‘sa’
Example
‘!’ sa
As in the word son
Beginners Programme
179
‘!’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘!’
!u!;tjp sarasvathi
Goddess of
learning
!u;gg
; k;
Snake
sarppam
Letter ‘&’ is pronounced as ‘kSha’
Example
‘&’ kSha
As in the word shut
‘&’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘&’
g&zk;
pakShaNam Snack item
j&zk;
takShaNam Fee
nkh&k;
mOkSham
Heaven
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
180
ghf;&p
pakShi
Bird
Letter ‘Q’ is pronounced as ‘ha’
Example
‘Q’ ha
As in the word hut
‘Q’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘Q’
Qy;th
halvA
A jelly sweet
Qhu;nkhdpak; hArmOniyam Harmonium
nQhkk;
hOmam
‘Qp’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘Qp’
Qpe;jp hin’ti
Hindi
Sacrificial fire
Beginners Programme
181
Letter ‘|’ is pronounced as ‘SRI’
Example
|
SRI
As in the Word Srilanka
‘|’ vGj;J cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with the letter ‘|’
|uhk;
SRIrAm
A name
|kjp
SRImathi
A name
b$a|
JayaSRI
A name
|u fk;
SRIrangkam
A Place
Vowel consonants are formed in the same way as vowel consonants are formed
in Thamizh except c/ C.
In the case of c/ C different symbols are used in the Grantha Letter.
Observe the pure consonants and corresponding vowel consonants of five 5
GRANTHA LETTERS (except |) on the screen.
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
182
$;
!;
#;
&;
Pronunciation/xypg;g:[
Example:
$;
!;
#;
&;
Q;
As in the word page
As in the word purse
As in the word mesh
As in the word baksheesh
As in the word hill
fpue;j vGj;Jfs; cs;s brhw;fs;
Words with grantha letters
nuh$h
rOJA
Rose
!u!;tjp
sarasvathi
Goddess
#uj;J
sharaththu
Agreement
jh$;kQhy; thAjmahAl Tajmahal
Q;
Beginners Programme
183
ð£ì‹ - 15
ð£ì™-1
ì‹ ì‹ ð£ì‹
ó‹ ó‹ ð‹ðó‹
ð‹ ð‹ è‹ð‹
ê‹ ê‹ ð£òê‹
ð£ì™-2
ðì‹ ðì‹ ðŠðì‹
ñó‹ ñó‹ ñ£ñó‹
ðö‹ ðö‹ ñ£‹ðö‹
óî‹ óî‹ ð£óî‹
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
184
ð£ì™-3
ñ£‹ðöñ£‹ ñ£‹ðö‹
ñ£ñóˆ¶ ñ£‹ðö‹
ñ£‹ðöñ£‹ ñ£‹ðö‹
ñ£ñ£ î‰î ñ£‹ðö‹
ð£ì™-4
ð£Šð£ ð£Šð£ ò£˜ ò£˜
ñ£ñ£ î£ˆî£ ðì‹ ð£˜
ð£Šð£ ð£Šð£ ò£˜ ò£˜
Ü‹ñ£ ÜŠð£ ðì‹ ð£˜
Beginners Programme
185
ð£ì™-5
è‹ è‹ îƒè‹
ì‹ ì‹ ð‡ì‹
ð‹ ð‹ è‹ð‹
î‹ î‹ î‰î‹
ð£ì™-6
Ü‹ñ£ ÜŠð£ õ‰î£˜!
Ýì™ ð£ì™ î‰î£˜!
Üöè˜ ñ£ñ£ õ‰î£˜!
Üö°ˆ îI› î‰î£˜!
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
186
ð£ì™-7
âƒèœ î£ˆî£ ï™ôõ˜
â™ô£‹ ªêŒò õ™ôõ˜
ï™ô îI› èŸøõ˜
ï£èKè‹ ªðŸøõ˜!
ð£ì™-8
âƒèœ °´‹ð‹ CPò¶.
ªð£ƒ°‹ Þ¡ð‹ ªðKò¶
Ü‹ñ£ ÜŠð£ Þ¼õ¼«ñ
ܡ𣌠⡬ù õ÷˜‚A¡ø£˜!
ð£ƒè£ŒŠ ðœO ªê™A¡«ø¡
ð£ì‹ ï¡ø£ŒŠ ð®‚A¡«ø¡!
Beginners Programme
187
ð£ì™-9
ð‰¶ ð‰¶ ÌŠð‰¶
ð£ƒè£Œ Ý®ì cº‰¶!
C‰¶, ²‰¶, «î£Nªò£´
Fùº‹ Ý®ì c õ‰¶!
ð£ì™-10
°óƒ° ï™ô °óƒ°
°Á‹¹ I‚è °óƒ°
°Fˆ¶‚ °Fˆ¶ Ý´¶
°†®‚ èóí‹ «ð£´¶!
«è£ðˆ «î£´ 𣘂°¶
°˜°˜ âù¾‹ YÁ¶!
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
188
ð£ì™-11
Iò£š Iò£š ̬ùò£˜
e¬ê‚ è£óŠ ̬ùò£˜
âL¬òŠ H®ˆ¶ˆ F¡ù«õ
⿉¶ æ® õ¼Aø£˜
ð£¬ù ꆮ à¼÷«õ
𣌉«î æ® õ¼Aø£˜
ð£ì™-12
ñ¡ù¡ ï™ô ñ¡ù¡
ñ£ù£ ñ¶¬ó ñ¡ù¡
ñ¡ùõ¡ ªðò«ó£ ï¡ù¡!
ñ¡ùõ‚ «è£˜ ܇í¡
Ü¡ùõ¡ ªðò˜  è‡í¡!
Beginners Programme
189
ð£ì™-13
æ! æ! «î£ö˜è«÷!
å¡ø£Œ‚ î õ£¿ƒèœ!
å¡ø£Œ‚ î õ£›õîù£™!
àò˜‰¶ àôA™ åO˜‰Fìô£‹!
æ! æ! «î£ö˜è«÷!
Þù«ñ£ ñî«ñ£ 𣘂è£ñ™!
Þîò‹ ñ†´‹ «ï£‚°ƒèœ!
ñQî «ïò‹ «ð£ŸÁƒèœ!
ñ£‡¹ì¡ õ£›‰¶ ñA¿ƒèœ!
æ! æ! «î£ö˜è«÷!
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
190
ghly;-14
capbuGj;J mwpKfg;ghly;
md;ng flt[s;
md;ng flt[s; mwptha; ghg;gh
m......m......m
Mil mzptjpy; J}a;ik fhg;gha;
M......M......M
,dpik Mfg; ngrpg; gHFtha;
,......,......,
<if bra;J ,d;gk; bgWtha;
<......<......<
cyfk; Rw;w Mir bfhs;tha;
c......c......c
Cuhu; bkr;r cau;eJ
; epw;gha;
C......C......C
vƒFk; epiwe;j ,iwia ntz;o
v......v......v
ViHf;Fjt[k; cs;sk; bgWtha;
V......V......V
Iak; ,d;wpf; fy;tp fw;gha;
I......I......I
Beginners Programme
191
xd;wha;f; To thH epidg;gha;
x......x......x
Xjp Xjp cau;tha; ehSk;
X......X......X
xsit bkhHpfs; mwptha; cau;tha;
xs......xs......xs
vçfha; clypy; cWjp bfhs;tha;
ç......ç......ç
(md;ng)
m Kjy; xs tiu capbud mwpe;J
brhy;....brhy;....brhy;...
md;idj; jkpGf;F mzpaha; vd;Wk;
epy;....epy;....epy;
ghly;-15
bka;baGj;J mwpKfg;ghly;
mf;fhs; tPlL
; j; njhl;lk;
mf;fhs; tPlL
; j; njhl;lk; ghu;
mƒnf bro bfho mHifg; ghu;
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
192
gr;irg; gnry; vDk; g[yb
; tspapy;
k…rs; ,…rpf; Fiyfs; ghu;
tl;l totf; fpzw;iwg; ghu;
jz;zPu; gha[k; tsg;gk; ghu;
fj;jup btz;il KUƒifbahL
Ke;jpup bjhƒFk; bfhoiag;ghu;
gg;ghsp khJis bfha;aht[ld;
vk;khk; bgupa gyhf;fdp ghu;
fha;j;Jf; FYƒFk; bjd;ida[ld;
ehu;j;ij vYkpr;ir kuƒfs; ghu;
Ky;iy nuh$h rhke;jpapd;
btt;nt whd tz;zk; ghu;
thH;ehs; KGJk; kfpH;e;jplnt
bfhs;is ,d;gk; bgw;wplyhk;
rw;nw vd;brhy; nfl;Lj;jhd;
,d;nw te;J njhl;lk; ghu;
Beginners Programme
193
ghly;-16
,d vGj;Jfs; mwpKfg;ghly;
vƒfs; mk;kh
vƒfs; mk;kh ,dpats;
vd;Wk; md;g[ jUgts;
jƒff; Fzk; bfhz;lts;
jaf;fk; ,d;wpr; brhy;Yntd;
g…R nghyj; J}ajha;
gz;g[ eyk; bfhz;lts;
bfh…rpf; bfh…rpg; ngrpna
FHe;ij vk;ikg; ngqths;
gz;lk; gyt[k; Mf;fpna
gƒF itj;Jj; jUgts;
fz;l jpy;iy mtisg;nghy;
fdpt[ kpf;f flt[is.
ge;J nfhyp gk;guk;
ghz;o Ml;lk; Mol
ve;j neuk; rupbad
vkf;Fr; brhy;ypj; jUgts;
Ü®Šð¬ì‚ è™M
194
jk;gp jƒif ,UtUk;
jha;fF
; j; jUtu; bjhy;iyfs;
tk;g[ bra;j nghjpYk;
thup mizj;J kfpH;gts;
ï¡Á b¶ â¬õªòù
ehSk; vkf;F Cl;Lths;
vd;Wk; thH;tpy; caunt
,dpa bewpfs; fhl;Lths;