Signification
Asking someone to speak at a slower pace
Contexte culturel
In Tamil Nadu, people often speak with high 'enthusiasm' and speed. Asking someone to slow down is not seen as an insult but as a compliment to their fluency. The Jaffna dialect of Tamil is often considered more formal and 'pure' by some. Using 'மெதுவாகச் சொல்லுங்கள்' here will be met with great appreciation for your formal grammar. Tamil speakers here often mix Tamil with English or Malay. If you hear 'Manglish' or 'Singlish' mixed in, asking them to slow down helps you separate the languages. Second-generation Tamils abroad might speak slower than those in India. Using this phrase with them shows you are a serious student of the language.
Use your hands
A gentle 'slow down' hand gesture (palm down, moving slightly) paired with this phrase helps native speakers understand your need immediately.
The 'L' sound
Be careful with the 'L' in 'sollungal'. It's a retroflex 'L'. If you use a standard English 'L', it might sound like a different word, though people will still likely understand you from context.
Signification
Asking someone to speak at a slower pace
Use your hands
A gentle 'slow down' hand gesture (palm down, moving slightly) paired with this phrase helps native speakers understand your need immediately.
The 'L' sound
Be careful with the 'L' in 'sollungal'. It's a retroflex 'L'. If you use a standard English 'L', it might sound like a different word, though people will still likely understand you from context.
Add 'Konjam'
Always try to say 'Konjam methuvāka sollunkaḷ'. Adding 'a little' makes you sound much more like a native speaker and less like a textbook.
Teste-toi
Choose the most polite way to ask a teacher to slow down.
ஆசிரியர் வேகமாகப் பேசுகிறார். நீங்கள் என்ன சொல்வீர்கள்?
Option 'b' uses the correct adverbial form and the polite '-ungal' suffix.
Fill in the missing adverbial suffix.
மெது____ சொல்லுங்கள்.
The suffix '-āka' (வாக after a vowel) turns the adjective 'methu' into the adverb 'methuvāka'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are writing down a phone number and the person is too fast.
Asking them to say the numbers slowly is the correct response.
Complete the dialogue.
A: என் பெயர் சுப்பிரமணியன். B: மன்னிக்கவும், பெயர் புரியவில்லை. _________.
Since the name wasn't understood, asking to say it slowly is the logical next step.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesஆசிரியர் வேகமாகப் பேசுகிறார். நீங்கள் என்ன சொல்வீர்கள்?
Option 'b' uses the correct adverbial form and the polite '-ungal' suffix.
மெது____ சொல்லுங்கள்.
The suffix '-āka' (வாக after a vowel) turns the adjective 'methu' into the adverb 'methuvāka'.
Situation: You are writing down a phone number and the person is too fast.
Asking them to say the numbers slowly is the correct response.
A: என் பெயர் சுப்பிரமணியன். B: மன்னிக்கவும், பெயர் புரியவில்லை. _________.
Since the name wasn't understood, asking to say it slowly is the logical next step.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, 'Mella' also means slowly/softly. However, 'Methuvāka' is much more common in modern spoken Tamil.
Yes, because of the '-ungal' ending, it is perfectly respectful for a professional setting.
You can say 'Innum konjam methuvāka' (Still a little more slowly) or 'Ezhuthukkootti sollunkaḷ' (Please spell it).
This is a 'sandhi' rule in Tamil grammar. When certain words meet, a consonant is doubled or added to make the flow smoother.
Expressions liées
மீண்டும் சொல்லுங்கள்
similarPlease say it again.
மெதுவாகப் பேசுங்கள்
synonymPlease speak slowly.
சத்தமாகச் சொல்லுங்கள்
contrastPlease say it loudly.
எழுத்துக்கூட்டிச் சொல்லுங்கள்
specialized formPlease spell it out.
