Bedeutung
Instruction to place an object.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Books and educational tools are considered manifestations of Goddess Saraswati. Placing them 'kīḻē' (on the floor) is seen as a sign of disrespect. If a book accidentally touches the floor, people often touch the book and then their eyes as a gesture of apology. In Sri Lankan Tamil households, the floor is often kept meticulously clean for religious rituals. Telling someone to 'kīḻē vai' might imply a specific spot near the prayer room or entrance. With the rise of smartphone addiction, 'Pōṉai kīḻē vai' has become a common cultural meme and a frequent command from parents to children during meal times. In farming communities, tools like the 'aruva' (sickle) are placed 'kīḻē' with great care after work, often in a specific orientation to avoid bad luck.
The 'Zh' Secret
If you can't pronounce 'ழ' (ḻ), a soft 'l' sound is acceptable for beginners, but mastering the retroflex will make you sound like a native.
Respect the Object
Never tell someone to put money or a book 'kīḻē' on the bare floor in a traditional home.
Bedeutung
Instruction to place an object.
The 'Zh' Secret
If you can't pronounce 'ழ' (ḻ), a soft 'l' sound is acceptable for beginners, but mastering the retroflex will make you sound like a native.
Respect the Object
Never tell someone to put money or a book 'kīḻē' on the bare floor in a traditional home.
Add 'Konjam'
Adding 'konjam' (a little) before the phrase—'konjam kīḻē vai'—makes the command sound much softer and more like a request.
Body Language
When saying 'kīḻē vai', pointing to the exact spot with your hand is very common and helpful in Tamil culture.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'down'.
பையை _______ வை. (Paiyai _______ vai.)
Kīḻē means down, which is required for the instruction 'Put the bag down'.
Choose the polite version of the phrase.
How do you tell an elder to put something down?
The suffix '-uṅkaḷ' makes the command polite and respectful.
Complete the dialogue.
A: இந்தப் பெட்டி மிகவும் கனமாக இருக்கிறது. (This box is very heavy.) B: அப்படியானால், அதை உடனே _______.
If something is heavy, the logical instruction is to put it down.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a police officer in a movie?
The informal/sharp command is used in high-stakes safety situations.
Match the Tamil to English.
Match the following:
Direct translation of spatial commands.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Vai vs. Pōṭu
Aufgabensammlung
5 Aufgabenபையை _______ வை. (Paiyai _______ vai.)
Kīḻē means down, which is required for the instruction 'Put the bag down'.
How do you tell an elder to put something down?
The suffix '-uṅkaḷ' makes the command polite and respectful.
A: இந்தப் பெட்டி மிகவும் கனமாக இருக்கிறது. (This box is very heavy.) B: அப்படியானால், அதை உடனே _______.
If something is heavy, the logical instruction is to put it down.
Which phrase fits a police officer in a movie?
The informal/sharp command is used in high-stakes safety situations.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Direct translation of spatial commands.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's better to use 'iṟakku' (lower) or 'paḍukka vai' (lay down to sleep). Using 'vai' for humans is considered rude.
'Kīḻē' means down/below in general. 'Aḍiyil' means directly underneath something (like under a table).
It's not slang, but it is the colloquial spoken form of the written 'kīḻē vai'.
Say 'pattirama kīḻē vai' or 'medhuva kīḻē vai'.
Yes, but it's more precise to say 'mējai mēl vai' (put on the table).
'-uṅkaḷ' is the plural/honorific suffix used to show respect to the person you are talking to.
Yes, very often in action movies during standoffs or when a hero tells a villain to drop a weapon.
Only if you want them to drop it or throw it. 'Vai' is for placing something with care.
Say 'kīḻē வைக்காதே' (kīḻē vaikkāthē).
Say 'aṅkē kīḻē vai'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
மேலே வை
contrastPut it up / Put it on top
உள்ளே வை
similarPut it inside
கீழே போடு
similarDrop it / Throw it down
திரும்ப வை
builds onPut it back
பத்திரமாக வை
specialized formKeep it safely
