Tamil relationship guide

Tamil kinship terms, made easier to hold onto.

Browse Tamil script, transliteration, and the exact family path behind each word. Terms can vary by region and family; Ver keeps the relationship path clear.

Immediate family

அப்பாAppaFatherYour father அம்மாAmmaMotherYour mother அண்ணாAnnaElder brotherA brother older than you தம்பிThambiYounger brotherA brother younger than you அக்காAkkaElder sisterA sister older than you தங்கைThangaiYounger sisterA sister younger than you

Grandparents

அப்பப்பாAppappaPaternal grandfatherYour father's father அப்பம்மாAppammaPaternal grandmotherYour father's mother அம்மப்பாAmmappaMaternal grandfatherYour mother's father அம்மம்மாAmmammaMaternal grandmotherYour mother's mother

Father's family

பெரியப்பாPeriyappaFather's elder brotherYour father's older brother சித்தப்பாChithappaFather's younger brotherYour father's younger brother அத்தைAthaiPaternal auntYour father's sister அத்திம்பேர்AthimberPaternal aunt's husbandYour father's sister's husband

Aunts by marriage

பெரியம்மாPeriammaElder auntAn elder aunt by family branch சித்திChithiYounger auntA younger aunt by family branch

Mother's family

மாமாMamaMaternal uncleYour mother's brother மாமிMamiMaternal aunt by marriageYour mother's brother's wife

Extended family

மச்சான்MachanBrother-in-law or male cousinA relationship that depends on family branch and marriage மச்சினிMachiniSister-in-law or female cousinA relationship that depends on family branch and marriage

Questions people ask

A small guide before you begin.

What does Ver do?

Ver helps you build a private family tree and find the Tamil term for the relationship between two people.

Are Tamil kinship terms the same in every family?

Not always. Terms can vary by region and family custom, so each guide page also explains the family path behind the word.

Can I use Ver if I only know a few relatives?

Yes. Start with yourself and the people you know. You can add names, relationships, and details over time.