Bedeutung
Performing acts of kindness.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'Annadhanam' (giving food) is considered the greatest 'Nanmai' one can do. Many temples and individuals perform this daily. During festivals like Thai Pongal, doing 'Nanmai' to cattle and neighbors is a central theme of gratitude. In Western countries, Tamil community centers often use 'Nanmai Sei' as a slogan for their weekend volunteer programs. The 'Thirukkural' has an entire chapter on 'Oppuravaridhal' (knowing one's duty to society), which is essentially the philosophy of 'Nanmai Sei'.
Use with Dative
Always remember to add '-ku' to the person you are helping (e.g., Avanu-ku nanmai sei).
Don't Overuse
If you use it for every small thing, you'll sound like a 19th-century poet. Keep it for meaningful acts.
Bedeutung
Performing acts of kindness.
Use with Dative
Always remember to add '-ku' to the person you are helping (e.g., Avanu-ku nanmai sei).
Don't Overuse
If you use it for every small thing, you'll sound like a 19th-century poet. Keep it for meaningful acts.
Spoken Variation
In Chennai or Madurai, you'll mostly hear 'Nallathu pannu'. Use that to sound more like a local.
The Karma Connection
When you say this, you are invoking a long history of Tamil ethical thought. It's a very 'heavy' and respected phrase.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Sei'.
நான் நேற்று ஒரு ஏழைக்கு நன்மை ______.
'நேற்று' (Yesterday) requires the past tense 'செய்தேன்'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate moral advice?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Sei' (Do) is the standard collocation for 'Nanmai'.
Complete the dialogue.
அப்பா: 'மகனே, எப்போதும் மற்றவர்களுக்கு _______.'
In a moral context, 'Nanmai sei' is the most fitting advice.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are donating old clothes to an orphanage.
Donating is an act of 'Nanmai'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Nanmai vs Udhavi
Aufgabensammlung
4 Aufgabenநான் நேற்று ஒரு ஏழைக்கு நன்மை ______.
'நேற்று' (Yesterday) requires the past tense 'செய்தேன்'.
Choose the correct sentence:
'Sei' (Do) is the standard collocation for 'Nanmai'.
அப்பா: 'மகனே, எப்போதும் மற்றவர்களுக்கு _______.'
In a moral context, 'Nanmai sei' is the most fitting advice.
Situation: You are donating old clothes to an orphanage.
Donating is an act of 'Nanmai'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenWhile it is used in religious contexts, it is primarily a secular ethical phrase found in ancient literature.
Yes, but only when discussing ethics or community service. Don't use it for regular tasks.
The opposite is 'Theemai sei' (Do harm).
Use 'Nanmai' for the concept and 'Nanmaigal' (plural) when referring to specific multiple deeds.
You say 'நான் நன்மை செய்ய விரும்புகிறேன்' (Naan nanmai seiya virumbugiren).
Yes, it leans towards formal and literary registers.
In spoken Tamil, yes. 'Nallathu pannu' is very common.
No, for that use 'Enakku oru udhavi sei'.
Very often! Especially in hero-centric movies where the hero helps the village.
It is introduced at A2 but has deep C2-level philosophical roots.
உனக்கே நன்மை செய்து கொள் (Unakke nanmai seithu kol).
Yes, for headlines about charity or government welfare.
Yes, that is the polite/plural form.
Not really, but 'Nallathu' is a one-word way to say 'Good'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
உதவி செய்
similarTo help
புண்ணியம் செய்
specialized formTo do a meritorious deed
தீமை செய்யாதே
contrastDo not do evil
நலன் புரி
specialized formTo perform welfare
தர்மம் செய்
similarTo give alms/charity
