Meaning
Asking for the price of an item
Cultural Background
Bargaining is expected in local markets. If you pay the first price asked, you might be overpaying. The term 'Enna vilai' is more common than 'Evvalavu vilai' in Northern Sri Lankan Tamil dialects. Tamil speakers here often mix English words, saying 'Idhu evlo price?' or 'Idhu evlo cost?'. In digital commerce, the phrase is often abbreviated to 'Price?' or 'Price pls' even in Tamil-speaking groups.
The 'Evlo' Shortcut
If you are in a hurry, just point and say 'Evlo?'. It's 100% natural and efficient.
Fixed Price Shops
In malls or 'Fixed Price' shops, don't try to bargain after asking the price; it's considered rude.
Meaning
Asking for the price of an item
The 'Evlo' Shortcut
If you are in a hurry, just point and say 'Evlo?'. It's 100% natural and efficient.
Fixed Price Shops
In malls or 'Fixed Price' shops, don't try to bargain after asking the price; it's considered rude.
Smile while asking
A friendly 'Idhu evvalavu vilai?' often gets you a better price than a demanding tone.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to ask for the price.
இந்த பேனா ______ விலை?
'Evvalavu' is the correct interrogative for 'how much'.
Which of these is the most natural spoken way to ask 'How much is this?'
Choose the best option:
'Idhu evlo?' is the most common and natural spoken contraction.
Complete the dialogue between a customer and a shopkeeper.
Customer: இந்த சட்டை பிடிச்சிருக்கு. ______? Shopkeeper: இது ஐந்நூறு ரூபாய் தம்பி.
The shopkeeper's response is a price, so the question must be about the price.
Match the phrase to the correct register.
1. இதன் விலை என்ன? 2. இது எவ்ளோ?
'Idhan vilai enna' is formal; 'Idhu evlo' is informal.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesஇந்த பேனா ______ விலை?
'Evvalavu' is the correct interrogative for 'how much'.
Choose the best option:
'Idhu evlo?' is the most common and natural spoken contraction.
Customer: இந்த சட்டை பிடிச்சிருக்கு. ______? Shopkeeper: இது ஐந்நூறு ரூபாய் தம்பி.
The shopkeeper's response is a price, so the question must be about the price.
1. இதன் விலை என்ன? 2. இது எவ்ளோ?
'Idhan vilai enna' is formal; 'Idhu evlo' is informal.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's perfectly fine, but 'Idhu evlo?' is more common. You won't sound weird using the full phrase; just very polite.
Yes, but 'Cutting evlo?' is more common. For services, people also use 'Charge evlo?'.
'Vilai' is for products (price). 'Kattanam' is for fees or fares (like school fees or bus fare).
Use 'Ivai' (these) instead of 'Idhu'. 'Ivai evvalavu vilai?'.
No, Tamil grammar allows you to omit the verb 'to be' in this context.
In a market, no. In a social setting (like at a friend's house), yes, it's very rude to ask the price of their belongings.
Ask them to write it down: 'Ezhudhi kaata mudiyuma?' (Can you show it written?).
Yes, but 'adakkavilai' (cost price) is the specific technical term.
Say 'Kadaisi vilai enna?' (What is the last/final price?).
The core words are the same, but the pronunciation of 'evvalavu' varies (e.g., 'evlo', 'evvavu').
Related Phrases
இதோட விலை என்ன?
synonymWhat is the price of this?
ரொம்ப அதிகம்
contrastToo expensive
மலிவான விலை
similarCheap price
பேரம் பேசு
builds onTo bargain
