Significado
Telling lies or fabricating stories
Contexto cultural
In villages, rope making was a communal activity. People would sit together and 'twist' ropes for hours. This social setting was also where gossip and stories were shared, likely cementing the link between the physical act and storytelling. The phrase is a staple in Tamil comedy. Famous comedians like Vadivelu and Santhanam often use this phrase or its variations when their characters are caught in a lie, making it a part of the modern pop-culture lexicon. While the idiom itself is colloquial, the concept of 'twisting words' is explored in classical Tamil literature as 'சொல்லாடல்' (wordplay). However, 'Kayiru thiri' specifically highlights the deceptive side of wordplay. On Tamil Twitter and Facebook, 'Kayiru' is often used as a shorthand for 'fake news' or 'propaganda.' You might see a comment just saying 'கயிறு!' under a suspicious post.
Use with 'Nalla' (Well)
Adding 'Nalla' (நல்லா) before the phrase—'Nalla kayiru thirikkira'—adds a sarcastic tone, meaning 'You are lying really well!'
Don't use with Bosses
Even if your boss is lying, using this phrase will likely get you fired. It's too informal.
Significado
Telling lies or fabricating stories
Use with 'Nalla' (Well)
Adding 'Nalla' (நல்லா) before the phrase—'Nalla kayiru thirikkira'—adds a sarcastic tone, meaning 'You are lying really well!'
Don't use with Bosses
Even if your boss is lying, using this phrase will likely get you fired. It's too informal.
The 'Puruda' alternative
If you want to sound even more like a local in Chennai, use 'Puruda vidathe' instead of 'Kayiru thirikkāthe'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct word to complete the idiom.
அவன் சொல்வதை நம்பாதே, அவன் நன்றாகக் ____ திரிக்கிறான்.
The idiom is 'கயிறு திரி' (Kayiru thiri). While 'கதை' (story) and 'பொய்' (lie) make sense logically, they are not part of this specific idiom.
Which of these is the most appropriate situation to use 'கயிறு திரிக்காதே'?
In which situation would you say 'கயிறு திரிக்காதே'?
This idiom is informal and accusatory, making it suitable for friends but inappropriate for formal or stranger interactions.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ஏன் வீட்டுப்பாடம் செய்யவில்லை? B: சார், நேத்து எங்க வீட்டுல கரண்ட் இல்லை, அப்புறம் எங்க நாய் நோட்டை கடிச்சுடுச்சு... A: ___________
The student is giving unlikely excuses, so the teacher (in a casual tone) or a peer would use the idiom to call out the lie.
Match the Tamil phrase to its meaning.
Match: 1. கயிறு திரி, 2. உண்மை பேசு, 3. கதை கட்டு
Kayiru thiri means to lie/fabricate, Unmai pesu means to speak the truth, and Kathai kattu means to build/fabricate a story.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Lying Idioms by Register
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosஅவன் சொல்வதை நம்பாதே, அவன் நன்றாகக் ____ திரிக்கிறான்.
The idiom is 'கயிறு திரி' (Kayiru thiri). While 'கதை' (story) and 'பொய்' (lie) make sense logically, they are not part of this specific idiom.
In which situation would you say 'கயிறு திரிக்காதே'?
This idiom is informal and accusatory, making it suitable for friends but inappropriate for formal or stranger interactions.
A: ஏன் வீட்டுப்பாடம் செய்யவில்லை? B: சார், நேத்து எங்க வீட்டுல கரண்ட் இல்லை, அப்புறம் எங்க நாய் நோட்டை கடிச்சுடுச்சு... A: ___________
The student is giving unlikely excuses, so the teacher (in a casual tone) or a peer would use the idiom to call out the lie.
Match: 1. கயிறு திரி, 2. உண்மை பேசு, 3. கதை கட்டு
Kayiru thiri means to lie/fabricate, Unmai pesu means to speak the truth, and Kathai kattu means to build/fabricate a story.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt depends on the tone. Between friends, it's a tease. In a serious argument, it's an accusation of lying.
Usually, it's used for more elaborate stories. For a small lie, 'Poi' (பொய்) is enough.
'Kayiru thiri' is more traditional and metaphorical. 'Puruda vidu' is modern city slang.
99% of the time, yes. The only exception is if you are actually talking about making a rope.
Use 'Avargal kayiru thirikkirargal' (அவர்கள் கயிறு திரிக்கிறார்கள்).
Not really. To be polite, you would say 'Neengal solvathu unmai illai endru ninaikkiren' (I think what you say is not true).
Only if you are writing a dialogue between two characters. Don't use it in formal analysis.
Because a lie, like a rope, is 'twisted' and can be made as long as the liar wants.
Yes, it is understood and used across most Tamil dialects, though local slang alternatives may vary.
'Unmai pesu' (Speak the truth) or 'Neradiyaga pesu' (Speak directly).
Frases relacionadas
புருடா விடு
synonymTo tell a blatant lie (slang).
கதை கட்டு
similarTo fabricate a story.
அள்ளி விடு
similarTo exaggerate wildly.
உண்மையை மறை
builds onTo hide the truth.
