Bedeutung
Asking people to move aside so you can pass.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In many parts of Tamil Nadu, people use a specific hand gesture—a vertical palm moving forward—alongside this phrase. It's considered helpful and not aggressive. In the fast-paced life of Chennai, you might hear the English word 'Side' used: 'Side kudunga' (Give side). This is a common urban slang variation of 'Vazhi vidungal'. During festivals, 'Vazhi Vidungal' is a sacred necessity. Volunteers (Sevadars) use it to ensure the deity's path is clear of the thousands of devotees. In villages, people might use 'Oram ponga' (Go to the side) as a more direct alternative, especially when moving cattle or large carts.
The 'Konjam' Trick
Always add 'Konjam' (a little) before the phrase. It makes you sound like a native speaker and much more polite.
Don't Push
In Tamil culture, saying the phrase is usually enough. Physical pushing while saying it is considered very rude.
Bedeutung
Asking people to move aside so you can pass.
The 'Konjam' Trick
Always add 'Konjam' (a little) before the phrase. It makes you sound like a native speaker and much more polite.
Don't Push
In Tamil culture, saying the phrase is usually enough. Physical pushing while saying it is considered very rude.
The Hand Gesture
Use the vertical palm gesture. It helps people see your intent even in a noisy environment.
Eye Contact
A brief nod or eye contact after someone moves for you is a great way to show 'Nandri' (Thanks) without saying it.
Teste dich selbst
You are on a crowded bus and need to reach the door. What do you say to the person in front of you?
Choose the most appropriate phrase:
'Vazhi Vidungal' is the standard phrase for asking someone to move aside so you can pass.
Complete the sentence to make it more polite.
_______ வழி விடுங்கள்.
'Konjam' (a little) is the most common word used to soften the request 'Vazhi Vidungal'.
Match the phrase variation to the correct situation.
1. ஆம்புலன்ஸிற்கு வழி விடுங்கள்! | 2. வழி விடு தம்பி. | 3. தயவுசெய்து வழி விடுங்கள்.
Emergency uses formal/loud commands; 'Vidu' is informal for younger people; 'Tayavuseithu' is very formal.
Complete the dialogue at a train station.
Passenger A: (Standing in the way) Passenger B: ஐயா, _________? நான் ரயிலுக்குள் செல்ல வேண்டும்.
'Vazhi viduveergala?' is the polite question form: 'Will you give way?'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Politeness Levels
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenChoose the most appropriate phrase:
'Vazhi Vidungal' is the standard phrase for asking someone to move aside so you can pass.
_______ வழி விடுங்கள்.
'Konjam' (a little) is the most common word used to soften the request 'Vazhi Vidungal'.
1. ஆம்புலன்ஸிற்கு வழி விடுங்கள்! | 2. வழி விடு தம்பி. | 3. தயவுசெய்து வழி விடுங்கள்.
Emergency uses formal/loud commands; 'Vidu' is informal for younger people; 'Tayavuseithu' is very formal.
Passenger A: (Standing in the way) Passenger B: ஐயா, _________? நான் ரயிலுக்குள் செல்ல வேண்டும்.
'Vazhi viduveergala?' is the polite question form: 'Will you give way?'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is the standard polite way to ask for space. However, omitting the '-ungal' can make it sound like a rude command.
No. For sneezing, you don't usually say anything, or you can say 'Manniyungal'.
'Vazhi' is more common in speech; 'Paathai' is more formal or used for specific roads/trails.
You can use the informal 'Vazhi vidunga' or even 'Vazhi vidu' if you are much older than them.
Yes, 'Side kudunga' is very common in cities like Chennai.
Repeat it slightly louder: 'Konjam வழி விடுங்கள்!' with a polite but firm tone.
Rarely. It's almost exclusively a spoken phrase for physical movement.
Yes, in a metaphorical sense, it can mean to create an opportunity for something new.
Yes, 'vidunga' is the colloquial shortening of the formal 'vidungal'. Both are polite.
It's not strictly required in a busy bus, but a small nod is appreciated.
Verwandte Redewendungen
ஓரம் போங்கள்
similarGo to the side
இடம் விடுங்கள்
synonymGive space
நகருங்கள்
similarMove
முன்னே செல்லுங்கள்
builds onGo forward
தள்ளி நில்லுங்கள்
contrastStand away
