Bedeutung
Always fighting with each other
Kultureller Hintergrund
In rural Tamil Nadu, cats are often kept specifically to guard the 'Nellu' (paddy) stored in large earthen pots or granaries. This makes the cat-rat conflict a daily reality for many. Many Tamil films feature a 'Tom and Jerry' style comedy track between the hero and a comedian, or the hero and the heroine, which is often described by critics using this idiom. Traditional Tamil fables, similar to Aesop's fables, often use the rat and cat to illustrate themes of wit versus strength. Even for Tamils living in urban cities like London or Toronto, this idiom remains a primary way to describe sibling rivalry, showing the persistence of agrarian metaphors.
Think Tom & Jerry
If you forget the animals, just remember the cartoon. It's the same dynamic!
Don't forget the '-um'
Saying 'Eli Poonai Pola' sounds like 'Rat Cat Like' and is grammatically incomplete.
Bedeutung
Always fighting with each other
Think Tom & Jerry
If you forget the animals, just remember the cartoon. It's the same dynamic!
Don't forget the '-um'
Saying 'Eli Poonai Pola' sounds like 'Rat Cat Like' and is grammatically incomplete.
Use it for Banter
Using this with friends who are arguing over something silly makes you sound very native and lightens the mood.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing animal to complete the idiom.
அவர்கள் எலியும் ______ போல சண்டை போடுகிறார்கள்.
The idiom is 'Eliyum Poonaiyum' (Rat and Cat).
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Eliyum Poonaiyum Pola'?
Choose the correct scenario:
The idiom describes constant bickering or minor conflict.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
அம்மா: 'ஏன் இருவரும் சத்தம் போடுகிறீர்கள்?' மகன்: 'அம்மா, அவன் என் பேனாவை உடைத்துவிட்டான்!' அம்மா: 'எப்போதும் நீங்கள் ______ இருக்கிறீர்கள்!'
The mother is commenting on their constant fighting.
Which of these is the correct way to write the idiom?
Select the correct form:
Both nouns must have the '-um' suffix.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenஅவர்கள் எலியும் ______ போல சண்டை போடுகிறார்கள்.
The idiom is 'Eliyum Poonaiyum' (Rat and Cat).
Choose the correct scenario:
The idiom describes constant bickering or minor conflict.
அம்மா: 'ஏன் இருவரும் சத்தம் போடுகிறீர்கள்?' மகன்: 'அம்மா, அவன் என் பேனாவை உடைத்துவிட்டான்!' அம்மா: 'எப்போதும் நீங்கள் ______ இருக்கிறீர்கள்!'
The mother is commenting on their constant fighting.
Select the correct form:
Both nouns must have the '-um' suffix.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, it is very common to describe a couple that bickers constantly but stays together.
No, it is generally considered a lighthearted or descriptive idiom, not an insult.
Cultural context. In ancient Tamil Nadu, the cat-rat dynamic in granaries was more prominent than the dog-cat dynamic.
Not necessarily. It often implies a relationship where fighting is just a habit or a way of interacting.
Usually, it's for a pair. For a group, you would use different expressions.
Yes, without 'Pola' (like), the sentence just says 'The rat and the cat', which loses the idiomatic meaning.
'Paambum Keeriyum' (Snake and Mongoose) is for serious, deadly enemies. 'Eliyum Poonaiyum' is for bickering.
Only if the relationship with the recipient is very casual. Otherwise, it's too informal.
You would say 'Avargal eliyum poonaiyum pola maari vittaargal'.
Yes, similar versions exist in Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Verwandte Redewendungen
பாம்பும் கீரியும் போல
similarLike a snake and a mongoose.
நகமும் சதையும் போல
contrastLike the nail and the flesh.
ஒரே குட்டையில் ஊறிய மட்டைகள்
similarPeople of the same sort (usually negative).
கண்ணும் கருத்தும் போல
contrastWith great care and attention.
