Signification
Inquiring about business hours.
Contexte culturel
Shops often have a 'lunch break' between 1 PM and 3 PM. If a shop is closed during the day, it's likely for this reason. The first sale of the day is called 'Boni'. Shopkeepers believe a good first sale brings luck for the rest of the day. Auspicious times (Nalla Neram) are often chosen for opening new shops or even opening for the day during festivals. In cities like Chennai, shops stay open late (until 10 or 11 PM), whereas in villages, they might close by 8 PM.
Use 'Eppa'
In 99% of conversations, use 'Eppa' instead of 'Eppōtu' to sound like a local.
The 'Anna' Factor
Always add 'Anna' (brother) or 'Akka' (sister) when asking a stranger to be polite.
Signification
Inquiring about business hours.
Use 'Eppa'
In 99% of conversations, use 'Eppa' instead of 'Eppōtu' to sound like a local.
The 'Anna' Factor
Always add 'Anna' (brother) or 'Akka' (sister) when asking a stranger to be polite.
Check for 'Boni'
If you are there right when it opens, you are the 'Boni' customer. Be prepared for a slightly slower, more ritualistic service.
Lunch Breaks
If a shop is closed at 2 PM, don't panic. It's just a lunch break. Use this phrase to ask when they return.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'to open'.
இந்தக் கடை எப்போது _______?
We use the future neuter form 'திறக்கும்' to ask when an object like a shop will open.
Which of these is the most natural spoken way to ask 'When will the shop open?'
Select the best option:
'Eppa thirappānga?' is the most common way people actually speak in Tamil Nadu.
Match the Tamil phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are essential related phrases for navigating shops.
Complete the dialogue.
A: அண்ணா, இந்தக் கடை எப்போது திறக்கும்? B: ___________.
The answer should provide a time in response to 'when'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesஇந்தக் கடை எப்போது _______?
We use the future neuter form 'திறக்கும்' to ask when an object like a shop will open.
Select the best option:
'Eppa thirappānga?' is the most common way people actually speak in Tamil Nadu.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are essential related phrases for navigating shops.
A: அண்ணா, இந்தக் கடை எப்போது திறக்கும்? B: ___________.
The answer should provide a time in response to 'when'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes, from small tea stalls to large department stores, 'Katai' is the universal word.
It's better to use 'Clinic eppōtu thirakkum?' or 'Doctor eppōtu varuvār?' (When will the doctor come?).
'Thirakkum' is 'it will open', while 'Thirappānga' is 'they will open'. The latter is more common in speech.
Replace 'Thirakkum' with 'Mūdum' (மூடும்).
Not at all! It's a very standard and necessary question for any shopper.
Expressions liées
கடை எப்போது மூடும்?
contrastWhen will the shop close?
கடை திறந்திருக்கிறதா?
similarIs the shop open?
விடுமுறை நாள்
specialized formHoliday / Day off
விற்பனை நேரம்
formalBusiness hours
