Signification
Telling someone to move at a slow pace.
Contexte culturel
In Tamil Nadu, 'Medhuvaga chel' is often written on the back of trucks and lorries as a reminder to other drivers. In Sri Lanka, the word 'நிதானம்' (Nidhanam) is used even more frequently than 'Meduva' to imply safety and caution. In Western countries, Tamil parents often use this phrase to keep their children safe in busy parking lots or malls. The concept of 'Melladi' (soft steps) is a poetic way to describe a woman's graceful walk in ancient literature.
The 'Ch' Secret
Always remember to double the 'ch' sound. It makes you sound like a native speaker and is grammatically correct.
Don't be rude
If talking to an elder, always add '-ungal' to make it 'Medhuvagach chellungal'.
Signification
Telling someone to move at a slow pace.
The 'Ch' Secret
Always remember to double the 'ch' sound. It makes you sound like a native speaker and is grammatically correct.
Don't be rude
If talking to an elder, always add '-ungal' to make it 'Medhuvagach chellungal'.
Colloquial Shortcut
In a hurry? Just say 'Medhuva!' (Slowly!). People will understand you want them to slow down.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'Go slowly'.
மெதுவாகச் ____.
'செல்' means 'go', which completes the phrase 'Go slowly'.
Which is the correct formal way to tell a driver to slow down?
How do you say 'Please go slowly'?
The '-உங்கள்' ending makes the command formal and polite.
Match the Tamil phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are all common uses of the adverb 'மெதுவாக'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: வண்டி வேகமா போகுது! B: ஆமாம், நான் ____.
If the car is going too fast, the logical response is 'I am going slowly (now)'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesமெதுவாகச் ____.
'செல்' means 'go', which completes the phrase 'Go slowly'.
How do you say 'Please go slowly'?
The '-உங்கள்' ending makes the command formal and polite.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are all common uses of the adverb 'மெதுவாக'.
A: வண்டி வேகமா போகுது! B: ஆமாம், நான் ____.
If the car is going too fast, the logical response is 'I am going slowly (now)'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'Medhu' is the root for slow/soft, and 'Medhuvaga' is the adverb 'slowly'.
No, for a slow computer, you would say 'Computer medhuvaaga irukkiradhu' (The computer is slow). 'Chel' is only for movement.
'Chel' is more formal/standard, while 'Po' is very common in spoken Tamil. Both mean 'go'.
This is a Tamil grammar rule called 'Sandhi'. When an adverb ending in 'aaga' meets a verb starting with 'cha', the 'ch' doubles.
Say 'Konjam medhuvaaga chellungal' (Please go a little slowly).
Yes, 'Mella' is a more poetic synonym. You'll hear it in songs like 'Meduva Meduva'.
It's better to use 'Nidhanamaaga' for 'take your time'. 'Medhuvaaga' is specifically about speed.
To a friend, no. To a stranger or elder, yes—use the polite form 'chellungal'.
It is written as மெதுவாகச் செல்.
The opposite is 'Vegamaaga chel' (Go fast).
Expressions liées
மெதுவாகப் பேசு
similarSpeak slowly
வேகமாகச் செல்
contrastGo fast
நிதானமாகச் செல்
specialized formGo steadily/carefully
மெல்லச் செல்
synonymGo softly/slowly
