Signs and boards use written Tamil, often with words you rarely hear in speech. People say bus stand, but the board says பேருந்து நிலையம். Reading these will make every street easier.
Here the romanisation spells the written word letter by letter, because that is what you see. Read slowly, one letter group at a time.
Doors and buildings
Places
Board says, people say
| On the board | Read it | In speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| பேருந்து நிலையம் | peerundhu nilaiyam | bus stand | bus station |
| தொடர்வண்டி நிலையம் | thodarvaNdi nilaiyam | railway station | railway station |
| மருத்துவமனை | marutthuvamanai | hospital | hospital |
| அஞ்சல் அலுவலகம் | anjal aluvalagam | post office | post office |
| வங்கி | vangi | bank | bank |
Rules and warnings
Bus boards. Town buses show the destination in Tamil, and often வழி (vazhi, via): தாம்பரம் வழி கிண்டி means to Tambaram via Guindy. Bus numbers are in English digits.
Tap a word on the left, then its partner on the right.
You need the toilet for men. Which sign?
A board says பேருந்து நிலையம். People call it:
வெளியேறும் வழிWhat does it mean?
புகைபிடிக்கக் blank
No smoking.
Leave footwear here.
Read this word and write it in roman letters: மருத்துவமனை
Type the Tamil script word for 'push' as seen on doors.