# English to Tamil: words in daily use, letters, files and petitions

> These study notes explain English to Tamil for the Group 4 / VAO (Combined Civil Services Examination-IV) exam in plain language: the same reviewed notes the TNPSC Guide app shows, published by our editors with their source. Read the key points first, then practise the unit's questions. For exam facts such as dates and vacancies, always check tnpsc.gov.in.

Last updated: 2026-11-02 · By TNPSC Guide editorial team
URL: https://www.tnpscguide.com/exams/group-4/notes/tamil-translation-en-ta

## Why the exam asks this

In past papers this unit asked in two ways: the Tamil word for one word, and match the words. 2024 Q73 asked for the Tamil of "Fiction"; the key was punaivu, the form of the class 12 library box; the glossary form karpanaik kathai was not among the options. In 2022 Q63 the English phrase "gold biscuit" written in Tamil script had the key thangakkatti; the class 10 Tamil textbook's exercise on other-language words (page 150) prints the same pair.

## Two more questions

In 2025 Q41 the key for "Adoring" was potruthal; the glossary gives vanangu, paththi (bakthi) sei, mikka anbu seluththu, mikka mathippuk kodu for adore, and potruthal is not printed there. 2024 Q96 matched other-language words; its pairs are not verified in this lesson's sources, so they are not taught. The lesson: the glossary form and the textbook form are both printed forms; know both and you will recognise whichever comes in the options.

## How the question looks and how to choose

Transliteration is not translation. Writing the English word as it sounds in Tamil letters (pendiraiv, pirintar, kampyuttar, keebordu) is transliteration, and it is not the answer. Translation is the Tamil word that gives the meaning: kanini (computer), visaip palagai (key board), kurum pathivi (pen drive). The class 9 textbook also gives Tamil words such as menporul (software) and madikkanini (laptop) instead of saying computer words in English. How to choose: first, if the glossary or textbook form is among the options, choose it; next, when a word has several forms, know them all, since any of them may come; last, if no printed form is offered, choose the option whose meaning fits. Example: to a friend asking a shop for a "pen drive", you can say its Tamil name is kurum pathivi.

**The four syllabus words**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| computer / computer app | kanippori, kanini / kaninich seyali, kaninich seyalmuraigal |
| key board / key box / key card | visaip palagai / thiravup petti / thirappu attai |
| pen drive | kurum pathivi, serugu pathivi, pathivukol |
| printer / portable printer | achchidubavar / kaiyachchup pori |

## A note on the printing device

The only form the glossary gives for printer is achchidubavar, that is, the person who prints. In the glossary the word achchuppori appears only in the names of printing presses: hand press is kai achchuppori; rotary press is suzhal achchuppori, suzhal achchu iyanthiram. For a portable printer the glossary gives kaiyachchup pori. Example: in the glossary, achchuppori does not come for printer; it comes only in the names of the printing machines hand press and rotary press.

## Computer words

For monitor the glossary gives maanavar thalaivan, vagupputh thalaivan, kaninith thirai; the computer form is printed third, so it fits only when the question is about computers. The class 9 conversation "Valarum Selvam" gives words such as menporul, ulavi, sethukki, inaiyaveli, vaiyaga virivu valai vazhangi, urai and madikkanini. The glossary gives inaiya ulaavi, thedulaavi for browser, vazhangar for server, and madipputh thaal, koppurai for folder. All of these are printed forms. Example: in a school computer lab a teacher may say "open your koppurai and save the file".

**Computers and devices**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| monitor | maanavar thalaivan, vagupputh thalaivan, kaninith thirai |
| scroll mouse / wireless mouse | urul sutti / kambiyilaach sutti |
| cursor (class 9) | evi allathu sutti |
| computer virus / computer network | kanini nachchuniral / kanippori valaiyamaivu |
| hardware / software package | vansarakku, vanporul, vanmaazhaigal / menporul pothi |
| software / browser / crop / cyberspace (class 9) | menporul / ulavi / sethukki / inaiyaveli |
| server / folder / laptop (class 9) | vaiyaga virivu valai vazhangi / urai / madikkanini |
| browser / server (glossary) | inaiya ulaavi, thedulaavi / vazhangar |
| folder (glossary) | madipputh thaal, koppurai |
| scanner / memory card | varudi / ninaivuch sillu |
| backup / backup storage | koppukkaappu / kaappiruppu |
| data / charger | adippadai vivaram, thagaval, tharavu, vivarak kurippu / minootti |

## Internet and apps

The "Kalaich Sol Arivom" box of the class 6 Tamil book (term 1) gives the internet words: inaiyam (internet), thedupori (search engine), minnanjal (e-mail), seyali (app), thoduthirai (touch screen), kuralthedal (voice search), muganool (Facebook), pulanam (WhatsApp); the same box has valanjuzhi (clockwise) and idanjuzhi (anticlockwise). The glossary also gives minnanjal and thodu thirai. Kadavuchchol (pass word), pathivirakkam (download), pathivetrugai (uploading), inaiyavazhi (online) and ilakkamurai (digital) are glossary words. Example: we send messages through pulanam on the phone, and we apply for a job by inaiyavazhip pathivu (online registration).

**Internet words**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| internet / search engine / e-mail (class 6) | inaiyam / thedupori / minnanjal |
| app / touch screen / voice search (class 6) | seyali / thoduthirai / kuralthedal |
| Facebook / WhatsApp (class 6) | muganool / pulanam |
| clockwise / anticlockwise (class 6) | valanjuzhi / idanjuzhi |
| e-mail / touch screen / internet of things (glossary) | minnanjal / thodu thirai / inaiyap purapporunmai |
| pass word | kadavuchchol, kurippuch sol |
| download / downloading / uploading | pathivirakkam, pathivirakku / pathivirakkal / pathivetrugai |
| online / online payment / online registration | inaiyavazhi / inaiyappatru varavu / inaiyavazhip pathivu |
| digital / digital payment | ilakkamurai, enmamurai / enmath thogai vazhangal |

## Phones and media

The glossary gives five forms for cellphone, kaippesi first. For mobile phone it gives selpesi. Smart phone is kanithirak kaippesi, thiranpesi; kaippesi alone is not a correct match for smart phone. Telephone is tholaipesi; television is tholaikkaatchi. Selfie is kaippadam, thampadam, thaami; xerox is olippadi. Example: we attach an olippadi nagal (xerox copy) of a certificate to an application.

**Phone words**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| cellphone | kaippesi, selpesi, sellidap pesi, alaipesi, pesi |
| mobile phone / smart phone | selpesi / kanithirak kaippesi, thiranpesi |
| telephone / television | tholaipesi / tholaikkaatchi |
| selfie / selfie stick | kaippadam, thampadam, thaami / kaippadak kol |
| xerox / xerox copy | olippadi / olippadi nagal |

## Words of everyday places

In each of chapters 1 to 8 of the class 12 general Tamil book, the "Padippom Payanpaduththuvom" box gives the words of one place: library (chapter 1, page 22), railway station (chapter 2, page 46), hotel (chapter 3, page 72), airport (chapter 4, page 104), court (chapter 5, page 128), cinema (chapter 6, page 156), bank (chapter 7, page 187), office (chapter 8, page 218). For some words the glossary gives other forms too; they are in brackets and in the Easy to confuse table. Example: at a bank we fill in a thirumbap peral padivam (withdrawal slip) to take out money; at a railway station we wait on the nadaimedai (platform).

**Bank and travel**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| debit card / demand draft / withdrawal slip | patru attai / ketpu varaivolai / thirumbap peral padivam |
| teller | viraivuk kaasaalar (glossary: kaasaalar, viraivuk kaasaalar) |
| mobile banking / internet banking | alaipesi vazhi vangi murai / inaiyavangi murai |
| platform / train track / railway signal | nadaimedai / iruppuppaathai / thodarvandi vazhikkuri |
| ticket inspector / level crossing / metro train | payanachcheettu aayvar / iruppuppaathaiyaik kadakkumidam / maanagarath thodarvandi |
| arrival / departure / conveyor belt | varugai / purappaadu / oorthippattai |
| take off / domestic flight | vaanoorthi kilambuthal / ulnaattu vaanoorthi |
| passport | kadavuchcheettu (glossary: ellaik kadavu, kadavuchcheettu) |
| visa | nuzhaivu isaivu (glossary: ayalnaattu nuzhaivisaivu, ayalnaattup pugalisaivu) |

**Hotel, library, cinema and court**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| lobby / checkout / tips / mini meals | oyvarai / veliyeruthal / sitreegai / sitrunavu |
| subscription / biography | uruppinar kattanam / vaazhkkai varalaaru |
| fiction | punaivu (glossary: karpanaik kathai) |
| archive | kaappagam |
| manuscript | kaiyezhuththup pirathi (glossary: ezhuththuru) |
| bibliography | nool niral (glossary: thunai nool pattiyal, nool vivara attavanai, merkol noolpattiyal) |
| artist / animation / newsreel | kavinkalaignar / iyangupadam / seithippadam |
| cinematography / sound effect / multiplex complex | olippathivu / olivilaivu / orunginaintha thiraiyaranga valaagam |
| affidavit / allegation / conviction | aanaiyuruthi aavanam / saatturai / thandanai |
| jurisdiction | athikaara ellai |
| plaintiff | vaathi (glossary: muraiyeettaalar, vazhakkaadi) |

**Office things**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| stamp pad | mai pothi (glossary: muththirai maippothi) |
| stapler | kambi thaippuk karuvi (glossary: kambith thaiyarpori, madakkoosip pori) |
| folder / file | madippuththaal / koppu |
| rubber stamp / eraser | izhuvai muththirai / azhippaan (the glossary gives the same forms) |

## The office letter

Each part of an office letter has a Tamil word: porul (subject), paarvai (reference), paarvaik kaditha en (reference number), adaippu or inaippu (enclosure), naal (date). For subject the glossary gives uttpatta first and porul next; in the sense of a letter's subject, porul fits. A letter ends with thangal unmaiyulla (yours faithfully) or thangal nermaiyulla (yours sincerely). A letter sent through a superior carries uriya vazhiyaaga (through proper channel). Kinds of letter: aluval muraik kaditham (official letter), nermugak kaditham (D.O. letter; short form ne.mu.ka.), mugappuk kaditham (covering letter), arimugak kaditham (letter of introduction). Example: in a letter to a government office we write what it is about on the porul line and use the paarvai line to point to an earlier letter.

**Letter words**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| letter / letter pad / letter box | ezhuththu, kaditham, madal / madaledu, madal thaal thoguppu, madalkattu / anjarpetti |
| official letter | aluval muraik kaditham |
| demi official letter / D.O. letter | nermuga madal, nermugak kaditham / nermugak kaditham (short form ne.mu.ka.) |
| covering letter / letter of introduction | mugappuk kaditham, mel kaditham / arimugak kaditham |
| address / envelope / post card | mugavari / urai / anjal attai |
| registered post / speed post / courier | pathivu anjal / viraivu anjal / thoothanjal |
| subject / reference / reference number | uttpatta, porul / ketpuk kaditham, paarvai, paarvaik kurippu / paarvaik kaditha en |
| enclosure / date / date of issue | adaippu, inaippu / naal / pirappikkappatta naal, vazhangiya naal, veliyitta naal |
| sir / yours faithfully / yours sincerely | aiyaa / thangal unmaiyulla, thangal nambikkaiyulla / thangal nermaiyulla |
| through proper channel / forwarded | uriya vazhiyaaga / anuppappattathu |
| endorsement | erpisaivu, melezhuththu, merkurippu, mersaandru, purakkurippu |
| urgent / urgent file | viraivaana / viraivuk koppu |
| immediate | adutha, udanadiyaaga, udanadiyaana, udane (the glossary gives more forms) |
| confidential | kamukkamaana, manthanamaana, maraivaana |

## Files and applications

In the glossary the word vinnappam comes for both application and petition: application is seyarpaduththal, vinnappam; petition is vinnappam, vendugol, korikkai (the A4 administrative terms lesson). So tell them apart by the words for the person: vinnappippavar (applicant), vendunar (petitioner). Muraiyeedu comes in both complaint (kuraiyeedu, muraiyeedu) and representation (saarbu, peyaraanmai, muraiyeedu). Opputhal comes in both sanction (oppalippu, opputhal) and approval (erpu, opputhal); oppalippu is sanction, erpu is approval. Example: the person who fills in a vinnappap padivam (application form) for a kudumba attai (ration card) is the vinnappippavar.

**File, application and notice words**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| file number / note file | koppu en / kurippuk koppu |
| current file / personal file | nadappuk koppu / paniyaalar kamukkak koppu |
| application / application form / applicant | seyarpaduththal, vinnappam / vinnappap padivam / vinnappippavar |
| petitioner / complaint / representation | vendunar / kuraiyeedu, muraiyeedu / saarbu, peyaraanmai, muraiyeedu |
| memorandum / requisition / resignation | ninaippoottuk kurippu, korikkai vinnappam / ezhuththuvazhi vendugol / pathavi vilagal |
| sanction / sanction order / approval | oppalippu, opputhal / isaivaanai / erpu, opputhal |
| notice / notice board / invitation | arivippuch seithi, karuththu, kavanam / arivippup palagai / azhaippithazh, azhaippu |
| report / reply | arikkai, arikkaiyidu, arivi, seithi arivi, therivi / marumozhi, vidai |

**Certificates and cards**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| bonafide certificate | sevvaich saandrithazh, thaguthich saandrithazh |
| mark sheet | mathippen thaal, mathippen pattiyal |
| hall ticket | thervukkooda nuzhaivuchcheettu |
| ration card / driving licence | kudumba attai / oottunar urimam |

## Textbook term indexes

The index at the end of the class 10 Science book (Tamil medium) also pairs a Tamil word with an English one, in Tamil alphabetical order: adimaiyaathal (addiction), anugundu (atom bomb), saraasari anunirai (average atomic mass), seyarkai maatruth thanimamaakkal murai (artificial transmutation). Example: when you study science and do not know the English form of a term, look at the book's index.

**Key facts**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| Unit VI | 5 questions: Tamil equivalents of English and other-language words, words in use, document titles, files, letters, petitions (syllabus, page 3) |
| Syllabus examples | pendrive, printer, computer, keyboard (syllabus, page 3) |
| computer | kanippori, kanini (vol 1, page 277) |
| key board | visaip palagai (vol 2, page 272) |
| pen drive | kurum pathivi, serugu pathivi, pathivukol (vol 3, page 66) |
| printer | achchidubavar (vol 3, page 145) |
| software / laptop | menporul / madikkanini (class 9, page 13) |
| WhatsApp / Facebook | pulanam / muganool (class 6, term 1, page 23) |
| fiction | punaivu (class 12, page 22; the 2024 key); karpanaik kathai (vol 2, page 21) |
| D.O. letter | nermugak kaditham, short form ne.mu.ka. (vol 1, page 342) |
| yours faithfully | thangal unmaiyulla, thangal nambikkaiyulla (vol 3, page 533) |
| hall ticket | thervukkooda nuzhaivuchcheettu (vol 2, page 124) |

> **Exam tip:** Memory hooks
Five "anjal" words: minnanjal (e-mail), pathivu anjal (registered post), viraivu anjal (speed post), thoothanjal (courier), anjal attai (post card); the word that comes with anjal makes the difference. "Visai" is the key board; "thiravu" and "thirappu" are key box and key card. "Unmai" is faithfully; "nermai" is sincerely. "Enma" is digital payment (enmath thogai vazhangal); "inaiya" is online payment (inaiyappatru varavu). "Oppalippu" is sanction; "erpu" is approval. Valam is clockwise; idam is anticlockwise. Tell the persons apart: vinnappippavar applicant, vendunar petitioner. The textbook form and the glossary form are both printed: know both.

**Easy to confuse**

| | |
| --- | --- |
| transliteration / translation | pendiraiv, kampyuttar, keebordu are not answers / kurum pathivi, kanini, visaip palagai |
| key board / key box / key card | visaip palagai / thiravup petti / thirappu attai; the one English word key takes a different Tamil word by context |
| monitor | maanavar thalaivan, vagupputh thalaivan first; kaninith thirai only in a computer context |
| folder / envelope | urai in class 9, madipputh thaal, koppurai in the glossary / urai; urai comes in both, so take care in matching |
| browser / server | ulavi (class 9), inaiya ulaavi, thedulaavi (glossary) / vaiyaga virivu valai vazhangi (class 9), vazhangar (glossary) |
| cellphone / mobile phone / smart phone | five forms, kaippesi first / selpesi / kanithirak kaippesi, thiranpesi; kaippesi alone is not a correct match for smart phone |
| subject / reference | porul / paarvai, paarvaik kurippu; the two are often swapped in matching |
| yours faithfully / yours sincerely | thangal unmaiyulla, thangal nambikkaiyulla / thangal nermaiyulla |
| official letter / D.O. letter / covering letter | aluval muraik kaditham / nermugak kaditham / mugappuk kaditham, mel kaditham |
| sanction / approval | oppalippu, opputhal / erpu, opputhal; opputhal in both |
| application / petition | seyarpaduththal, vinnappam / vinnappam, vendugol, korikkai; persons: vinnappippavar / vendunar |
| complaint / representation | kuraiyeedu, muraiyeedu / saarbu, peyaraanmai, muraiyeedu; muraiyeedu in both |
| fiction | punaivu (class 12) / karpanaik kathai (glossary); vanaivu and valaivu are look-alike traps |
| passport / pass word | kadavuchcheettu / kadavuchchol |
| visa | nuzhaivu isaivu (class 12) / ayalnaattu nuzhaivisaivu (glossary) |
| stapler | kambi thaippuk karuvi (class 12) / kambith thaiyarpori, madakkoosip pori (glossary) |
| stamp pad | mai pothi (class 12) / muththirai maippothi (glossary) |
| teller | viraivuk kaasaalar (class 12) / kaasaalar, viraivuk kaasaalar (glossary) |
| animation | iyangupadam (class 12) / uyirppoottal (glossary) |
| lobby | oyvarai (class 12) / thalaivaayil, nuzhaivuk koodam, mugappu arai, mugappuk koodam (glossary) |
| manuscript / bibliography | kaiyezhuththup pirathi, ezhuththuru / nool niral, thunai nool pattiyal, nool vivara attavanai, merkol noolpattiyal; biography is vaazhkkai varalaaru |
| conviction | thandanai (class 12) / uruthippaadu, kutrath theerppu, patrukkol (glossary) |
| jurisdiction | athikaara ellai (class 12) / athikaara varambu, aatchi ellai (glossary) |
| allegation | saatturai (class 12) / kuraikooral, saatturai (glossary) |
| affidavit | aanaiyuruthi aavanam (class 12) / aanai uruthi aavanam, uruthi aavanam, aanai uruthi vaakkumoolam (glossary) |
| tips | sitreegai (class 12) / anbalippu, udhavukkurippu, kurippudhavi (glossary) |
| artist | kavinkalaignar (class 12) / oviyar, kalaignar, kavin kalaignar (glossary) |
| platform | nadaimedai (class 12) / nadaipaathai, nadai medai (glossary) |
| archive | kaappagam (class 12) / for archives, aavanak kaappagam, aavanangal (glossary) |
| digital payment / online payment | enmath thogai vazhangal; "enma" is digital payment (digital is ilakkamurai, enmamurai) / inaiyappatru varavu; "inaiya" is online payment (online is inaiyavazhi) |
| clockwise / anticlockwise | valanjuzhi / idanjuzhi; swapping them is the common mistake; the answer is the word idanjuzhi, not a descriptive phrase |
| crop | sethukki (class 9, a computer word) / payir, vilaichchal, uruvettu (glossary); choose by context |

> **Exam tip:** Quick check
1. What Tamil word does the glossary give for key board? Answer: visaip palagai.
2. Which Tamil word was the 2024 answer for "Fiction"? Answer: punaivu.
3. What is the Tamil form of yours sincerely? Answer: thangal nermaiyulla.
4. What is the Tamil word for anticlockwise? Answer: idanjuzhi.
5. What is the Tamil word for petitioner? Answer: vendunar.

Source: ஆட்சிச் சொல்லகராதி, திருந்திய பதிப்பு (ஆங்கிலம் – தமிழ்), தொகுதி 1-3 (Glossary of Administrative Terms, revised edition, English – Tamil, volumes 1-3) (ஆட்சிச் சொல்லகராதி (திருந்திய பதிப்பு, 2022): தொகுதி 1 (A-E) பக்கம் 24, 29, 34, 49, 62, 67, 73, 75, 79, 85, 107, 135, 142, 144, 156, 175, 215, 224, 273, 277, 284, 302, 316, 318, 326, 336, 342, 346, 347, 367, 394, 429, 435, 462, 468, 470, 478, 486; தொகுதி 2 (F-N) பக்கம் 21, 24, 48, 58, 124, 126, 130, 191, 242, 249, 268, 272, 306, 321, 352, 354, 369, 396, 401, 447; தொகுதி 3 (O-Z) பக்கம் 11, 16, 55, 56, 66, 77, 80, 94, 99, 119, 121, 145, 198, 213, 217, 231, 233, 236, 257, 260, 273, 278, 285, 297, 303, 322, 330, 336, 348, 356, 358, 374, 405, 406, 417, 421, 426, 474, 476, 493, 520, 530, 533; பாடத்திட்டம் பக்கம் 3, அலகு VI; 6ஆம் வகுப்புத் தமிழ் (முதல் பருவம்), பக்கம் 23; 9ஆம் வகுப்புத் தமிழ், பக்கம் 13; 12ஆம் வகுப்புப் பொதுத் தமிழ், பக்கம் 22, 46, 72, 104, 128, 156, 187, 218; 10ஆம் வகுப்பு அறிவியல் (தமிழ் வழி), சொல்லடைவு, பக்கம் 350; 10ஆம் வகுப்புத் தமிழ், பக்கம் 150 (பிறமொழிச் சொற்கள் பயிற்சி; தாளின் முந்தைய ஆண்டு வினா நோக்கு வரி 2))

## Sources

- [Official syllabus page](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/english/syllabus.html)
- [Notifications](https://www.tnpsc.gov.in/English/Notification.aspx)