Signification
Asking for the remaining balance.
Contexte culturel
The 'Chocolate Change' phenomenon: Due to coin shortages, shopkeepers often give candies instead of 1 or 2 rupee coins. It's so common that people often don't even ask for the cash anymore. In Sri Lankan Tamil, 'Meethi' is much more common than 'Micham' in daily transactions, reflecting a slightly different linguistic evolution. Tamil speakers here often mix English. You might hear 'Balance evvalavu?' more frequently than the pure Tamil version. In villages, 'Baaki' is often used to refer to credit. If you have 'Micham' at a shop, they might just 'write it in the book' (kanakku ezhudharthu) for your next visit.
Shorten it!
In 90% of daily conversations, people say 'Evlo' instead of 'Evvalavu'. It sounds more natural.
Don't say 'Maatram'
Never use 'Maatram' for money change. It's a common mistake for English speakers.
Signification
Asking for the remaining balance.
Shorten it!
In 90% of daily conversations, people say 'Evlo' instead of 'Evvalavu'. It sounds more natural.
Don't say 'Maatram'
Never use 'Maatram' for money change. It's a common mistake for English speakers.
Check the back of the ticket
In TNSTC buses, if the conductor doesn't have change, he will write the amount on the back of your ticket. Point to it and ask 'Micham?' when you get off.
Accept the chocolate
If a shopkeeper gives you a chocolate instead of 1 rupee, it's culturally polite to accept it unless you really need the coin.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to ask for the change.
ஐநூறு ரூபாய் கொடுத்தேன். ________ எவ்வளவு?
You gave 500 rupees, so you are asking for the 'Micham' (change).
Which phrase is used to ask about leftover food?
Choose the correct sentence:
To ask about leftovers, you use 'Micham'.
Complete the dialogue between a passenger and a conductor.
Passenger: டிக்கெட் பத்து ரூபாய். நான் ஐம்பது ரூபாய் கொடுத்தேன். Conductor: இந்தாங்க டிக்கெட். Passenger: ________?
The passenger gave 50 to pay for a 10 ticket, so they must ask for the change.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: You are at a bank checking your balance.
In a formal bank setting, 'Iruppu' is the correct term for balance.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Micham vs Meethi vs Iruppu
Common Quantities
Money
- • 10 Rupees
- • 50 Rupees
- • 100 Rupees
Food
- • Rice
- • Curry
- • Milk
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesஐநூறு ரூபாய் கொடுத்தேன். ________ எவ்வளவு?
You gave 500 rupees, so you are asking for the 'Micham' (change).
Choose the correct sentence:
To ask about leftovers, you use 'Micham'.
Passenger: டிக்கெட் பத்து ரூபாய். நான் ஐம்பது ரூபாய் கொடுத்தேன். Conductor: இந்தாங்க டிக்கெட். Passenger: ________?
The passenger gave 50 to pay for a 10 ticket, so they must ask for the change.
Situation: You are at a bank checking your balance.
In a formal bank setting, 'Iruppu' is the correct term for balance.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, you can say 'Micham evvalavu neram irukku?' (How much time is left?), but 'Meethi' is slightly more common for time.
No, it's a standard, neutral question. However, adding 'Anna' (brother) or 'Sir' makes it more polite.
'Micham' is more colloquial and common in shops. 'Meethi' is formal and used in writing or formal speech.
You can say 'Micham vachukkonga' (Keep the remainder).
'Baaki' is a loanword often used for debts or outstanding balances in business.
No, you cannot use 'Micham' to refer to people remaining in a room. Use 'Meethi per' (remaining people).
It's not slang, but it is the standard spoken form. 'Evvalavu' is the written form.
It means 'I don't have change (coins).' You might have to buy something else or take a chocolate.
Say 'Ainuru rubaikku sillarai irukka?' (Do you have change for 500 rupees?)
Yes, to ask about leftover food or the change from the bill.
Yes, but 'Meethi' is more prevalent there.
There isn't a direct single-word opposite, but 'Muzhumai' (completeness) or 'Theerndhu' (finished) are related concepts.
Yes, 'Battery micham evlo irukku?' is common.
No, it means 'remainder' of anything—food, work, time, or money.
Expressions liées
மீதி எவ்வளவு?
synonymHow much is the remainder?
சில்லறை இருக்கா?
similarDo you have change (coins)?
பாக்கி எவ்வளவு?
similarHow much is the balance?
கணக்கு என்ன?
builds onWhat is the account/total?
இருப்பு எவ்வளவு?
specialized formHow much is the balance?
