Meaning
Telling someone to drop a topic.
Cultural Background
In Tamil society, 'Adhai vidu' is often used to maintain 'Kudumba Gouravam' (family honor) by encouraging members to ignore minor slights from relatives. The usage is similar, but the intonation might be softer. They might use 'அதை விடுங்கோ' (Adhai vidungo) as a polite form. In these regions, 'Adhai vidu' is frequently mixed with English: 'Okay, adhai vidu, let's go for lunch.' Heroes often use this phrase to show they are stoic. It's a hallmark of the 'cool' protagonist who doesn't get bothered by small things.
Body Language
Pair this phrase with a small outward wave of your hand to look like a native speaker.
Status Matters
Never say 'Adhai vidu' to your Tamil father-in-law unless you want a very long lecture!
Meaning
Telling someone to drop a topic.
Body Language
Pair this phrase with a small outward wave of your hand to look like a native speaker.
Status Matters
Never say 'Adhai vidu' to your Tamil father-in-law unless you want a very long lecture!
The 'Vittudu' Upgrade
Use 'Adhai vittudu' if the person keeps bringing the topic back up. It's firmer.
Test Yourself
Choose the most polite form to use with your grandfather.
தாத்தா, அந்த பழைய விஷயத்தை ______.
'-ungal' is the polite suffix used for elders like a grandfather.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
A: அவன் என்னைத் திட்டினான். (He scolded me.) B: சரி, ______ . நாம விளையாடலாம். (Okay, ______ . Let's play.)
'Adhai vidu' is used here to dismiss the scolding and move on to playing.
Match the phrase variation to the situation.
Which phrase would you use to dismiss a very annoying, repetitive complaint from a close friend?
'Vittu thallu' is more emphatic and used when you are fed up.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesதாத்தா, அந்த பழைய விஷயத்தை ______.
'-ungal' is the polite suffix used for elders like a grandfather.
A: அவன் என்னைத் திட்டினான். (He scolded me.) B: சரி, ______ . நாம விளையாடலாம். (Okay, ______ . Let's play.)
'Adhai vidu' is used here to dismiss the scolding and move on to playing.
Which phrase would you use to dismiss a very annoying, repetitive complaint from a close friend?
'Vittu thallu' is more emphatic and used when you are fed up.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt depends on the tone. If said gently, it's comforting. If snapped, it's dismissive. Always use 'vidungal' with elders to avoid rudeness.
Yes, 'Adhai ange vidu' means 'Leave that there.' But without a location, it usually means 'drop the topic.'
'Adhai vidu' is neutral/polite. 'Vittu thallu' is very informal and implies the topic is garbage or not worth a second of your time.
Use 'அதை விட்டுடலாம்' (Adhai vittudalaam).
Rarely. In formal writing, you would use 'அதை தவிர்ப்போம்' (Let's avoid that) or 'அதை விடுத்து' (Leaving that aside).
Yes, if your partner is apologizing for a small mistake, 'Adhai vidu, chellam' (Leave it, dear) is very sweet.
That is different! Use 'என்னை விடு' (Ennai vidu) or 'என்னை விட்டுடு'.
Yes, it is the closest Tamil equivalent to the English 'Never mind' in most social situations.
Extremely. You'll hear it every few minutes in any busy Chennai market or cafe.
Yes, it's a great way to tell a child to stop crying over a broken toy.
Related Phrases
விட்டுத் தள்ளு
synonymPush it away / Forget it
போனாப் போகுது
similarLet it go (accepting a loss)
அதை நிறுத்து
contrastStop that
அதை விடுங்கள்
specialized formLeave that (polite)
மறந்துடு
similarForget it
