Signification
Starting a retail business.
Contexte culturel
Starting a shop usually involves a 'Muhurtham'—an auspicious time calculated by an astrologer to ensure the business prospers. In countries like Singapore and Malaysia, 'Kadai vai' is often used by Tamil immigrants to describe their journey of establishing small businesses in 'Little India' districts. The 'Pettai' or 'Sandhai' culture is still strong. 'Kadai vai' in a village often means setting up a stall in the weekly market, which is a major social event. With the rise of IT, 'Kadai vai' is sometimes used humorously by young professionals who dream of quitting their jobs to start a 'startup' or a cafe.
Use specific shop names
Instead of just 'kadai', use 'munaivar kadai' (grocery) or 'thuni kadai' (cloth) to sound more fluent.
Don't use 'sei'
Never say 'kadai seigiren'. It's a common English-to-Tamil error. Always use 'vaikkiṟēṉ'.
Signification
Starting a retail business.
Use specific shop names
Instead of just 'kadai', use 'munaivar kadai' (grocery) or 'thuni kadai' (cloth) to sound more fluent.
Don't use 'sei'
Never say 'kadai seigiren'. It's a common English-to-Tamil error. Always use 'vaikkiṟēṉ'.
Respect the owner
When asking someone about their shop, use the polite 'vaittīrkaḷ' instead of 'vaittāy'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'vai'.
என் தம்பி அடுத்த வாரம் ஒரு துணிக்கடை ____ போகிறான்.
The sentence uses 'pōkiṟāṉ' (going to), which requires the infinitive form 'vaikka'.
Which sentence means 'He started a shop'?
Choose the correct Tamil translation:
'Vaittār' is the correct past tense for starting a shop. 'Tiṟantār' means he opened the door.
Match the shop type with the phrase.
Match the following:
These are common shop types used with the phrase 'kadai vai'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: உங்கள் அப்பா என்ன செய்கிறார்? B: அவர் சொந்தமாக ஒரு ____ வைத்துள்ளார்.
In the context of 'vaittuḷḷār' (has placed/established), 'kadai' is the most logical object.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesஎன் தம்பி அடுத்த வாரம் ஒரு துணிக்கடை ____ போகிறான்.
The sentence uses 'pōkiṟāṉ' (going to), which requires the infinitive form 'vaikka'.
Choose the correct Tamil translation:
'Vaittār' is the correct past tense for starting a shop. 'Tiṟantār' means he opened the door.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are common shop types used with the phrase 'kadai vai'.
A: உங்கள் அப்பா என்ன செய்கிறார்? B: அவர் சொந்தமாக ஒரு ____ வைத்துள்ளார்.
In the context of 'vaittuḷḷār' (has placed/established), 'kadai' is the most logical object.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is becoming common. You can say 'Online-il kadai vaikka poren'.
No, for formal documents, use 'Thozhil thodangu' (Start a business).
'Vai' is neutral and standard. 'Pōṭu' is informal and often implies a smaller or temporary setup.
You say 'Enaku oru kadai vaikka vendum'.
In other contexts, yes. But with 'kadai', it specifically means 'to establish'.
Usually no. For a clinic, you would say 'Clinic aarambi' (Start a clinic).
The past tense is 'vaittēṉ' (I placed/started).
Yes, 'Pettikadai' (literally 'box shop') is used for small kiosks.
It reflects the historical act of physically placing a stall in a market.
Yes, it is also correct and common, but 'Kadai vai' is more idiomatic.
Expressions liées
கடை நடத்து
similarTo run/manage a shop.
தொழில் தொடங்கு
synonymTo start a business.
வியாபாரம் செய்
similarTo do business/trade.
கடை சாத்து
contrastTo close the shop (permanently or for the day).
