Money core. Panam money, roobai rupee, kaasu cash coin – everyday youth says kaasu irukka? Do you have money? Vilai price – vilai enna?

Sillarai change – sillarai irukka? Have change? Important for auto.

Shopping actions. Vaanga to buy, but vaanga also means come (respectful) – context. Virka to sell. Thallupadi big word in Pongal sale boards.

Kadai shop – main word T Nagar kadai. Pai bag but also cover as Pai poduma? Need cover?

Shopping sentences:

• Idhu vilai evlo? How much price this?
• Romba adhigam, konjam kuraiya? Too expensive, reduce little?
• Thallupadi irukka? Is discount there?
• Bill podunga, card-la pay pannalaama? Bill please, can pay by card?
• Sillarai illa sir, chocolates thara – No change sir, give chocolates meme.

Pronunciation Tips:

• Panam – pa-nam soft.
• Rupaai? Actually roobai with long oo.
• Kaasu – kaa-su long aa double a.
• Vilai – vi-lai diphthong.
• Thallupadi – thal-lu-pa-di double l.

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing vaanga (buy) with vaanga (come) – same spelling but verb vs imperative you.
• Saying malivu as cheap but also vilai kammi cheaper polite.
• Calling free as free only – ilavasam Tamil for free, used in government hospital ilavasa maruthuvam.
• Using kadan as loan but also debt negative; ask kadan vs thavnaikadai installment.

Cultural Note: T Nagar Ranganathan Street is world busiest shopping street – Pongal crowd 10 lakh people. Bargaining: fixed price shops say fixed price, street shops negotiable 20%. Saravana Stores annachi? 10 floors. During Diwali, thallupadi sale boards everywhere. Digital payment UPI Google Pay very common – scan pannunga.

Practice:

1. Ask: Anna indha shirt vilai evlo?
2. Bargain: Konjam kammiya? Kuraichi kooda?
3. Change: Sillarai kooda irukka?
4. Bill: Bill kudunga, packing pannunga.
5. Say expensive: Romba vilai adhigam.