Hello! I’m Meenakshi!
In this post from the “200 Essential Tamil Words” series, we’ll introduce a commonly used Tamil phrase:
🛠️ Velai Sei (வேலை செய்) – “Work”
“Velai” means “job” or “work,” and “Sei” means “to do.”
Together, they form the phrase Velai Sei, which literally means “do work” and is used to express working or being at work.
🔹 Velai Sei vs. Velai Paar
Tamil uses two different expressions depending on the nuance:
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Velai Sei – Used to indicate that someone is actively working. Common in daily conversation to say “I am working.”
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Velai Paar – Refers more to one’s profession or job title, or sometimes implies “looking for work.”
✅ Present Tense Examples
✅ “I am working now.”
👉 Naan ippo velai seykireen
👉 நான் இப்போ வேலை செய்கிறேன்
✅ “You are working now.”
👉 Neenga ippo velai seykireenga
👉 நீங்கள் இப்போ வேலை செய்கிறீர்கள்
✅ “He/She is working now.”
👉 Avanga ippo velai seykiraanga
👉 அவர்கள் இப்போ வேலை செய்கிறார்கள்
✅ “We are working now.”
👉 Namma ippo velai seykkiroom
👉 நாம் இப்போ வேலை செய்கிறோம்
✅ Past Tense Examples
✅ “I worked yesterday.”
👉 Naan naethu velai seydheen
👉 நான் நேத்து வேலை செய்தேன்
✅ “You worked yesterday.”
👉 Neenga naethu velai seydheenga
👉 நீங்கள் நேத்து வேலை செய்தீர்கள்
✅ “He/She worked yesterday.”
👉 Avanga naethu velai seydhaanga
👉 அவர்கள் நேத்து வேலை செய்தாங்க
✅ “We worked yesterday.”
👉 Namma naethu velai seydhoom
👉 நாம் நேத்து வேலை செய்தோம்
📝 Note: “Pannu” vs. “Sei”
In Tamil, there are two common verbs for “to do”:
✅Sei (செய்) – More general and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.
✅Pannu (பண்ணு) – Colloquial and often used in casual daily conversation to express actions or tasks.
While both are correct, “Sei” is preferred in formal or written Tamil, whereas “Pannu” is widely used in spoken, casual contexts.
✅ Summary
Velai Sei (வேலை செய்) is a practical phrase used to express being at work. It’s essential for both formal and informal situations.
By understanding the difference between “Sei” and “Pannu”, you can choose the right expression depending on the situation.
Stay tuned for the next word in the series—another step in your spoken Tamil journey!
