How to pronounce Tamil
Say it like TAM-il. Tamil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Tamil. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAM
- il
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tamil pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TAMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ilKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of Tamil
American and British speakers say Tamil in essentially the same way: /ˈtæmɪl/ in the US and /ˈtæmɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TAM-il.
Other ways to say Tamil
Tamil also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- tuh-MIL /təˈmɪl/
What does Tamil mean?
- A Dravidian language spoken in the state of Tamil Nadu, India and in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia.
Questions about saying Tamil
How do you pronounce Tamil?
Say TAM-il. The American pronunciation is /ˈtæmɪl/. In British English it is /ˈtæmɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Tamil?
Tamil has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAM). Broken into parts: TAM · il.
Do Americans and Brits say Tamil the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtæmɪl/ and the British form is /ˈtæmɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.