मतलब
Telling someone to cease an action
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Tamil homes, hosts often ignore the first few 'Pōtum's as they consider it polite refusal. You may need to say 'Pōtum niṟuttu' firmly to actually stop them. The phrase is a staple in 'punch dialogues'. It usually marks the moment the hero loses his patience with the villain's threats. In Sri Lankan dialects, 'Niṟuttu' is often replaced with 'Aruppu' or 'Nippāṭṭu' in casual speech, but 'Pōtum' remains universal. On Tamil Twitter/X, 'Pōtum niṟuttu' is used as a meme response to cringe-worthy content or repetitive political posts.
The Hand Gesture
In Tamil Nadu, this phrase is almost always accompanied by a flat palm facing the other person. Using the gesture without the words is often enough!
Tone Matters
If said softly, it's a request. If said loudly with a pause between words, it's a serious warning. Be careful with your volume!
मतलब
Telling someone to cease an action
The Hand Gesture
In Tamil Nadu, this phrase is almost always accompanied by a flat palm facing the other person. Using the gesture without the words is often enough!
Tone Matters
If said softly, it's a request. If said loudly with a pause between words, it's a serious warning. Be careful with your volume!
The 'Three Times' Rule
When refusing food, you might need to say 'Pōtum' three times. The first is polite, the second is firm, the third (Pōtum niṟuttu) is final.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank to tell your younger brother to stop teasing you.
என்னை கிண்டல் செய்தது ________, நிறுத்து!
'Pōtum' is the correct word to indicate that the teasing has reached a limit.
Which is the most polite way to tell a waiter to stop pouring water?
தண்ணீர் ஊற்றுவதை...
The suffix '-uṅka' adds the necessary politeness for a social interaction with a stranger.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
1. Pōtum niṟuttuṅkaḷ, 2. Vāyai mūṭu, 3. Pōtum nippāṭṭu
Formal uses '-uṅkaḷ', anger uses 'Vāyai mūṭu', and slang uses 'nippāṭṭu'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: இன்னும் ஒரு லட்டு சாப்பிடறீங்களா? B: இல்லை, ________ ________.
This is the standard polite refusal in a food context.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासஎன்னை கிண்டல் செய்தது ________, நிறுத்து!
'Pōtum' is the correct word to indicate that the teasing has reached a limit.
தண்ணீர் ஊற்றுவதை...
The suffix '-uṅka' adds the necessary politeness for a social interaction with a stranger.
1. Pōtum niṟuttuṅkaḷ, 2. Vāyai mūṭu, 3. Pōtum nippāṭṭu
Formal uses '-uṅkaḷ', anger uses 'Vāyai mūṭu', and slang uses 'nippāṭṭu'.
A: இன்னும் ஒரு லட்டு சாப்பிடறீங்களா? B: இல்லை, ________ ________.
This is the standard polite refusal in a food context.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
4 सवालIt depends on the register. To friends, it's normal. To elders, it's rude unless you add '-uṅkaḷ'.
You should just say 'Niṟuttu!' (Stop!). 'Pōtum' doesn't make sense for a car unless the car has been driving for too many hours.
'Niṟuttu' is standard Tamil. 'Nippāṭṭu' is colloquial/slang. Both mean the same thing.
Say 'Athu pōtum, naṉṟi' (That is enough, thanks).
संबंधित मुहावरे
வாயை மூடு
synonymShut your mouth
இத்தோடு விடு
similarLeave it with this
தொடராதே
contrastDo not continue
போதும் போதும்
builds onEnough, enough!
