Signification
Inquiring about someone's professional life.
Contexte culturel
Work is often viewed as a collective family effort. When someone asks this, they are often checking if the person is providing well for their family. The vocabulary might shift slightly to 'வேலை எப்படி நடக்குது?' (How is work happening?), but the sentiment remains the same. Due to the fast-paced corporate environment, this is often used as a very quick greeting, sometimes mixed with English terms. For second-generation Tamils, this phrase is a key 'connection' phrase used to show respect to elders who value professional achievement.
Use the Spoken Form
If you want to sound like a local, say 'Vēlai eppaṭi pōkutu?'. The 'atu' ending sounds very formal/bookish in a cafe.
Don't be too specific
In the first 5 minutes of meeting, keep it general. Don't ask about salary immediately after this question unless you are very close.
Signification
Inquiring about someone's professional life.
Use the Spoken Form
If you want to sound like a local, say 'Vēlai eppaṭi pōkutu?'. The 'atu' ending sounds very formal/bookish in a cafe.
Don't be too specific
In the first 5 minutes of meeting, keep it general. Don't ask about salary immediately after this question unless you are very close.
The Modest Response
If someone says 'Ethō pōkutu' (It's going somehow), they usually mean it's fine, but they don't want to brag.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to ask 'How is work going?'
வேலை ______ போகிறது?
'எப்படி' (Eppaṭi) means 'how', which is required for this phrase.
Which of these is the most natural spoken form of the phrase?
Select the colloquial version:
In spoken Tamil, 'pōkiṟatu' contracts to 'pōkutu'.
Complete the dialogue with a modest response.
A: வேலை எப்படிப் போகிறது? B: _________.
'ஏதோ போகிறது' (Ethō pōkiṟatu) is a common modest way to say 'It's going okay/somehow'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are meeting a former colleague at a conference.
This is the standard polite inquiry for someone's professional status.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesவேலை ______ போகிறது?
'எப்படி' (Eppaṭi) means 'how', which is required for this phrase.
Select the colloquial version:
In spoken Tamil, 'pōkiṟatu' contracts to 'pōkutu'.
A: வேலை எப்படிப் போகிறது? B: _________.
'ஏதோ போகிறது' (Ethō pōkiṟatu) is a common modest way to say 'It's going okay/somehow'.
Situation: You are meeting a former colleague at a conference.
This is the standard polite inquiry for someone's professional status.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly polite. Adding 'Sir' or 'Madam' at the end makes it even better.
You can say 'Nalla pōkiṟatu' (It's going well) or 'Romba busy-ā pōkiṟatu' (It's going very busily).
Yes, just replace 'Vēlai' (work) with 'Paṭippu' (studies). 'Paṭippu eppaṭi pōkiṟatu?'
'Eppaṭi' is common and spoken. 'Evvāṟu' is formal and mostly used in writing.
Because the subject is 'work' (neuter), not 'you'. You are asking how the work is moving.
Yes, it's a very standard icebreaker in Tamil culture, especially in professional settings.
In this context, yes, it means 'progressing' or 'moving forward'.
You can say 'Vēlai tēṭikkonṭirukkiṟēn' (I am looking for work).
Yes, 'Vēlai eppaṭi?' (How's work?) is a very short, casual version.
It's better to use 'Uṅkaḷ paṇi evvāṟu celkiṟatu?' in a very formal email.
Expressions liées
வேலை எப்படி இருக்கிறது?
similarHow is work?
பணி எவ்வாறு உள்ளது?
specialized formHow is the service/task?
வியாபாரம் எப்படிப் போகிறது?
similarHow is the business going?
படிப்பு எப்படிப் போகிறது?
builds onHow are studies going?
