PREFACE

This brief handbook is the result of some enthusiastic students of JIPMER who showed keen
interest in learning Tamil.
Effective doctor-patient communication can take place only if both are able to use a common
language. NTTC is proud to acquire these notes from students and the MIS Section of JIPMER
for further dissemination. Tamil version has been written in Hindi. Common words, rather than
literary usage, has been adopted for practicality.
We are thankful to the following in bringing out the first edition of this manual: Drs. Satya
Karna, Durgesh Kumar Singhal and Rajesh Kashyap, former Interns / Postgraduates who were the
moving force; Mr. Ranganathan of Hindi Teaching Cell and Mrs. A. Sethuraman for their
consultancy.
In view of the increasing demand from students / residents, the 2nd revised edition of the
manual is now brought out. We are thankful to Mr. G. Ramalingam for his neat word
processing and to the Manager, JIPMER Press for nice printing.
We are grateful to our Director for his whole-hearted support.

Dr. K.R. Sethuraman

Project Officer, NTTC
Pondicherry-605006
September 2001

CHAPTER - I - COMMON WORDS

GLOSSARY
English

Tamil
written in
Hindi

English

Tamil
written in
Hindi

English

Tamil
written in
Hindi

After

Enough

Fast

{n

New

Age

+{{
{b

Often

{n
<
+b CEb

Bathe

Film

{b

Open

Beat

+b

Get up

Bn

Pen

{x

Big

Give
Go

Eb
{

Possible

Book

{
{kM

Push

b
i

Call

E{{b

Good

Put

{b

Catch

{b

It is

<CE

Read

{b

Close

Keep
Lie down

{b

Road

Cloth

b
ih

Run

+b

Come

Lift

iCE

See

Complete

Listen

E , Mx

Show

E]]

Cough

<

Make

{hh

Sit

=CE

Cry

Marriage

Eh

Sleep

iM

Do

Matchbox

i{{]]

Small

Sz

Drink

Much
Name

+vM
{

Smile

Dont want

Eb
hb

Speak

Eat

{{b

Needle

>

Spit

i{{

Stand

Take

Bb

Want

Start

Tell

Work

Stitch

Turn

Write

Bn

Stop

xk

Wait

<

Yes

Swallow

Walk

xb

Again

Fall

NUMBERS

[1]

No

+hh

17

{n x

500

Bx

18

{n x]]

600

+x

19

{kn

700

Bx

20

<n

800

Bhh

+V

21

<khh

900

30

{{n

1000

40

x{{n

Lakh

B]]

50

+n

Crore

Eb

+n

60

+n

1/4

10

{k

70

Bn

1 1/4

+hhE

11

{n xhh

80

Bhn

1/2

12

{xb

90

ihh

2 1/2

13

{n h

100

3/4

CE

14

{n x

200

<x

1 3/4

+hhCE

15

{n xV

300

2 3/4

hb CE

16

{n x

400

xz

4 3/4

xCE

TIME
Second

xb

Year

Tomorrow

Minute

Morning

Yesterday

xk

Hour

Evening

Today

<zCE

Day

Night

Day before
yesterday

n x

Week

Afternoon

vx

Day after
tomorrow

xCE +b k
x

Month

Date

in

DIRECTIONS

PLACES

ANIMALS

Side

{CE

Place

>

Bullock

b , E

Right

Home

Cat

{x

Left

<b n

Village

Cow

b , {

[2]

Up

District

Dog

Down

City

xM

Fly

<

Front

Town

{]]x

Mosquito

Back

{z

Country

Pig

{y

Middle

xb

Mountain

Rat

In

Upstairs

Scorpion

Out

Shop

Eb

Snake

Saturday

x E

(floor)

DAYS OF THE WEEK

Sunday

x] E

Wednesday

n x E

Monday

iM E

Thursday

Tuesday

Friday

E
RELATIONS

Relative

Wife

Elder sister

+CE

Mother

Uncle

Younger sister

iM

Father

+{{

Aunt
(Father)

+k (+)

Boy (Son)

{x

Grand mother

{]]

Aunty
(Mother)

Girl (Daughter)

{hh

Grand father

ik

Elder brother

+hhx

Child

Exn

Husband

{x

Younger
brother

i
EDIBLES

Bitterguard

{CE

Greens

Sweet lime

kEb

Brinjal

Guava
Ladies finger

E
hb CE

Tamarind

Buttermilk

EkCE

{
iCE

Chicken

E E

Milk

Veg. /
Non-Veg.

/ +

Chilly and
spices

Mutton

+]] E

Vegetable

EE

Curd

Orange

+V, E
{

Water

ihh

Fish

Rice

n , +

Wheat

Mn

Food

{{b
{

Salt

={{
CE

Fruit

Sugar

[3]

Tomato

COLOURS
Black

Green

Blue

E{{
x

Grey

{SS

Brown

{{{

Red

M{{

White
Yellow

PARTS OF THE BODY

Abdomen
Back
Body
Bone
Chest
Ear
Eye
Face
Finger

n M
=b
B

En
Ehh
M

Hair

b ,
E
i
<n
` `
]]
E

Hand
Head
Heart
Joint
Knee
Leg
Mouth
Muscle

Nail
Neck
Nerve
Nose
Skin
Throat
Tongue
Tooth
Waist

xM
Ek
x
CE
i
ib
xCE
{
<b {{

INTERROGATION
What
When
Now
Then
Where
Here

Bz
B{{
<{{
+{{
BM
<M

There

+M

Bx
Bn
<n
+n

Who
Why
Which
This
That

How
How many
How much
This way
That way
Is it true?

B{{b
Bkx
B
<{{b
+{{b
xV

PRONOUNS
I
You
He
She
They
His

xx
x, xM
+x, +
+, +
+M
+xb

Her
We
Your
Him
This / That
Me

+b
xM
=Mb
+x, +xCE
<n / +n
Bz, BxCE

INSTRUCTIONS

[4]

By you
By him
With you
With him
To me
To you

=z
+x
=zb x
+xb x
BxCE
=xCE

After test, get the report.

]] {z]] {] Bb k

Ask Sister.

] E

Bend down / Bear down

Ex / CE

Bend your legs.

E b CE

Blood donation.

k n x

Breathe in and out.

x SS b

Breathe normally.

vh SS b

Can you feel?

i]] in

Close your eyes.

Ehh b

Cough.

<

Do like this.

<{{b

Dont move your hand.

E +]]n

Eat thrice.

h ]] {{b

Get up.

Bn

Hold below thighs.

E +b ib {b

Lie down.

{b

Lift your hand.

E iCE

Look at the light.

SSk {

Look down / up

E { / {

Look here.

<M {

Look straight.

x {

Open your mouth.

Remove your shirt.

]] Bb /E]]

Say ah.

"+'

Separate your legs

E +M]]

Show.

E]]

Show your teeth.

{ E]]
=CE

Sit up.
Squat.
Stand.

EkE =CE
x

Stand there.

+M x
[5]

Stop breathing.

SS +b CE

Straighten legs.

E x]]
xCE x]]

Stretch your tongue.

Swallow.
Turn to your side.

BSS M
i {b

Walk.

xb

We have to do your blood test.

=xCE k ]] {hhh
h Bz?

Whats the time?

CHAPTER - II :

HISTORY TAKING

GENERAL INTRODUCTION (For all cases)

Welcome, Be seated.

M, =CEM

What is your name?

=M { Bz

What is your age?

=M Bz

What is your address?

=M b BM <CE, Bn >

What work do you do? Ans: Labour

xM Bz M? Ans: E

How much do you earn per day?

+ xCE B {h Eb CE

What is your religion?

=M n Bz

What is your caste?

=M Vi Bz

Are you married?

Eh +SS
HISTORY OF PRESENTING COMPLAINTS

What is the difficulty?

Bz E]

Tell in an order?

How long is this difficulty?

B x <xn E] <CE
[6]

Were you perfectly well before that?

<n CE zb x <n M

How did the trouble start?

B{{b <xn E] + +SS

What happened next?

+{{ Bz +SS

How do you feel now?

<{{ B{{b <CE

TREATMENT HISTORY

Have you shown to Doctor?

b C] E]] ESSM

Have you taken medicine?

n /j {]M

Is that all?

+n x

(drugs)

PAST HISTORY
Diabetes Mellitus?

CE n <CE

Hypertension?

k En {{ <CE

Tuberculosis?

E x <CE

Treatment?

n {{b

Leprosy?

{ n /E] M <CE

Operations?

+{x n M

Blood transfusion?

k BkxM

Allergy?

B n +kCE
PERSONAL HISTORY

How is the sleep?

iM E] <CE / iCE n

How is your appetite?

{ Bb CEn / { B{{b <CE

How is your micturition?

+hhCE {n E] <CE

How is your bowels?

CE {n E] <CE

Addictions:

Alcohol?

Eb {{

Tobacco?

{M< {b

Betel?

k {b

Smoking?

M], b {b {{
FAMILY HISTORY

Anybody at home has TB, DM, HT, etc.?

=M ] CEn Ex <CE

Anybody at home has similar problems?

=M ] CEn <xn n E] <CE

[7]

In the neighbourhood?

]] {CEk (next door)

Mother/Father healthy?

+{{, + x <CEM
SYMPTOMATOLOGY
(Common to all cases)
......... <CE
PAIN ( )

Site

BM

Severity

CEn , Vi CEn

Type:

Bz n <CE
Throbbing

hh hhhh

Pricking

CE CEhh Ekn

Dull ache

CEn

Colicky

{n CEn

Shooting

BMn {n

Timing

B{{ Vi <CE

Aggravating factors

B{{b +vM +n

Associated factors (Fever)

V <CE

Relieving factors

B{{b En

Radiation (Spread)

{n

Referred pain

BMn {n , BM <CE

(Reduces)

FEVER ( V )
Get fever?

V n

Low grade / High grade

/ Vi

Timing

B{{ n

How many times?

Bkx ib

ABDOMEN ( )
Nausea

xn n <CE

Vomiting

xn
Projectile

M n
[8]

Food particles

{{]]n xn n

Bilious

{k xn

First time

n ib

Dysphagia

M E] <CE

Passing flatus

Ek {n

Flatulence

(Air)

x {n

Belching

B{{ n

Heartburn

xV ECEn

Diarrhoea

Dysentery

n n

Cholera

xn n , E

Worms in the stools

CE {SS <CE

Straining at stools (Constipation)

CE {{{ E] <CE

Mucus in stools

CE n

Black, tarry stools

CE E{{ {n

Large, offensive stools

x xk CExn n

Pale stools

CE {n

Fullness after food

{]{{ xVCE

Abdominal pain

k <CE

Abdominal lump

k E]] <CE

Hematemesis

k xn n

Malaena/Bleeding per rectum

CE {{{ k n

Jaundice

V E

Tiredness

/ <CE
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Cough

<

Cold

Cough with expectoration

<

Hemoptysis

k xn n

Breathlessness

SS Mn
[9]

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea

iMn SS Mn
(During sleep)

At rest

B{{ SS Mn

After slight work

EV CE +{{

Orthopnoea

{b k +{{ SS Mn

Chest pain

xV

Wheeze

SS <CEn k n

Evening rise of temperature

M V n

Weight loss

Bb EVn

Hemoptysis

<x k n

Cough with expectoration

< <CE

Foreign body aspiration

Bn n { BSS

Nasal discharge

CE n

Allergy to dust

n {]] Vi i
(dust)

In childhood

(sneezing)

Sz

Measles

i]] xn n

Whooping cough

ECEx <
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Cough with expectoration, breathlessness, chest

pain, hemoptysis

Refer Respiratory System

Palpitations

{b {b {{ <CE

Syncopal attacks

CE n

Pedal edema

E CE

Puffiness of face

M CE

Distention of abdomen, nausea, vomit

Refer Abdomen

Sore throat

ixb

Joint pains

]]

Involuntary movements (Choria)

Refer CNS

Petechial hemorrhage

i {{ {]] n n

[ 10 ]

Hematuria

Refer Renal

Hemiplegia

Refer CNS

Cyanotic spells

+n M x {SS

Squatting episodes

EkE +CEn +{{ x {SS

Hoarseness of voice

{x E <CE
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
MOTOR

Able to lift above head

E iCE iCE b

Able to use the arm for eating

E {{b n CE iCE b

Able to use arm for toilet purposes

CE {x{{ E b n

Writing possible

Bn b

Climbing stairs

{b B b

Squatting

EkCE {b b

Running

+b b

Walking

xb CE b

Standing without support

Bn {b CE ix xCE b

Involuntary movements

ix +b n (E - E )
SENSORY

Tingling numbness

k {x n <CE

Feeling hot and cold

i]] b , V i

Feel the ground while walking on the ground

xb CEn i xb CEn in
(on the ground) (feel like)

BLADDER
Feeling sensation of bladder fullness

+hhCE n ihn

Initiation as soon as desired

+hhCE {M =CExn +b x

Control once desire has occurred

+hhCE n +b CE b

Complete evacuation.

+hhCE B {n , < E <CEn

CRANIAL NERVES

[ 11 ]

Sensation of smell.

CE x in

Vision, Diplopia.

Refer Ophthalmology

Dribbling of saliva from angle of mouth.

BSS n

Timitus, vertigo, deafness, hoarse voice, nasal twang.

Refer ENT

HIGHER FUNCTIONS
Headache.

Vomiting.

xn

Unconsciousness.

CE
{{, xb {{

Convulsion / Epilepsy
Aura before convulsions.
Tongue bite.

{{CE zb {{ h in
{{ n xCE Eb SSn =hb

Incontinence of urine/stools.

{{ {{ j, CE {xn =hb
RENAL SYSTEM

Back swelling relieved by passing urine.

+hhCE {x +{{ n M CE EVn

Blood in urine.

ji k n

At beginning.
At end.

n
Eb

Throughout.

B{{n

Increased frequency.
Straining improves stream.

+b CEb (every now and then)

CEx +hhCE {n

Straining retards stream.

CEx +hhCE {M <CE

Not urinating.
Dribbling.

+hhCE
j ]] ]] {n

Urine passes without warning.

i +hhCE {n
SURGICAL
LUMP

..

E]]

Duration

B x, , E]] <CE

Mode of onset

Refer History

Trauma

+b {]] n

Was it small in size first?

n E]] Szn <xn n

Did it grow in size to present size?

+{{ { +SS

Did it get ulcerated?

{h xn n
[ 12 ]

Any other lumps anywhere?

BMn <xn n E]] <CE

Does the swelling reduce in size?

E]] (CE ) En

Loss of weight?

=M Bb ExVCE
ULCER

Discharge - Serum (watery)

..

{h

ihh ihh n n

Pus

xn n

Bloody

k xn n

Mucoid

n xn n

Abscess / boil

E{{

Present since birth

{CE n <xn n
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE

Are you able to walk?

xb CE b n

Cramp.

E {b {{

After walking certain distance, pain.

ExV n xb xn +{{

Pain disappears on stopping.

xhh {b i

Do you continue to walk?

b xb CE b

Pain relieved by hanging leg below bed.

E E {]] {b n

Transient ischaemic attacks.

CE xn n

Hemiplegia.

{CE n xn n

Chest / abdominal pain.

Refer CVS / ABDOMEN

Failure in erection.

x E]] n E] <CE

(spasm)

(Paralysis)

(wife - with - union)

History of contact (Syphilis, STD)

{ E]] ib <CE
(woman) (near) (contact)
CARCINOMA TONGUE, CHEEK, LIP

Sepsis of mouth

Teeth fell off

{ n n

Tooth broken

{ =b xVn

Saliva

BSS
THYROID SWELLING

Palpitation / Dyspnoea / Dysphagia

CVS / RS / ABD.
[ 13 ]

Hoarseness of voice

{{{ E n

Tolerance to cold

E iM b n

Tolerance to heat

(b ) iM b n

Excessive sweating

CEn
BREAST CARCINOMA

Pain in the breast before menses

i]]CE zb n

Hip pain

<b {{

Nipple discharge

<n , k, {, ihh n

Greenish

{SS E

How much

Jaundice

V E

Bone pain

Spinal pain

n M

Lungs

Refer Resp. Sys.

Menstrual history

Refer O & G
HERNIA (Refer Lump)

Disappears on lying down.

{b k +{{ E]] En

Persistent cough

Refer Resp. Sys.

Previous operation

Refer Pers.Hist.

Operation under GA

+{xCE CE Eb kM

Operation under LA

k {M > {]]M
PENIS CASE

Tightness of foreskin over glans

+hhCE { <b k i {zb {n

Swelling of glans on micturition

+hhCE { <b k Mn

Pain during micturition.

+hhCE {{{ CEn

ORTHOPAEDICS
FRACTURE ..

Can you walk?

xb CE b n

Powder cast

E]] {]]n

Difficulty in movement

+CEn E] <CE
[ 14 ]

Fall of load/ weight on body

+b n n

Fall from height

n n n

While falling, tried to catch an object

n Bn n {b SSM

Fracture or broken bone

Sinus

Sz {h

Discharge of bony spicules

{hh <n B n n

Force of injury

+b {]]n

Whether limb was bent at time of fall

n E, E b CE <n n

Whether able to get up after injury?

n {{ Bn CE b Vn

Limp

E xhb n
PAEDIATRICS

Thirst

ihh n M Bb CEn

Immunisation

ib {{ > {]]M

Oral polio vaccine

]] n

B.C.G.

{CEn > x{{ E]] {]]M

(At birth - injection - flame - shown and given)

At what month?

Bkxn k {]]M

Antenatal history

Refer O & G

Bottle feed

{ ]] Eb kM

Cows milk

{ {

Mothers milk

i{{

Colostrum given or not?

{ Eb kM

Weaning

Bn k { i + Eb CE +SSM

Milestones - when did he first .....

B{{ n ....
=CEn n

Sit up
Smile
Walk

SSn
xb n n

Talk

{ +SSn

Consanguineous marriage
How are you related?

ik Eh +SS
B{{b n

[ 15 ]

Dog bite

x Eb SSn

Measles

i]]
+

Chicken pox
How big rash
Containing

B { E{{
ihh, <n n
PREGNANCY

Periods / Menses
Gravida

, i]], n
Bkx M +<CE

Live children

Bkx En <CE

Last menstrual period

st

During pregnancy (1 trimester)

Eb i]] B{{ n n
M <CEn - n h

Any drug intake

Bn n j {]M

Any irradiation (current, photo,

X-ray)

Bn n {b {b SSn

Any distress

Bn n x <n n

Vomiting, bowels, micturition

Refer earlier.

Bleeding per vaginum

Refer Gynaec.

Symptoms of PIH

Refer earlier.

When did movements start?

En B{{ n + +SSn

Can you feel movements?

En +n in

TT given?

M <CEn ib {{ > {]]M

Labour pain started

| B{{ n n

Leaking P/V

{xEb +b Vn

Was baby born at term

En x {n n

Abortions?

B{{n M EVn

Spontaneous

ix M EVn =hb

Induced

E E{{ Bn n {hhM

Spontaneous vaginal delivery

M | +SS

Caesarean section
Forceps / vacuum (instrumental)

En Bb CE +{x {hhM
+n {]] Bb kM

Whether child was born dead or macerated

En k {n n , < EV {xn n

[ 16 ]

Duration of labour pain

B x <n n

Weight of baby

{n {{ En b Bb B
{CEn En +n n

Birth anoxia
Breech / Head came first

n i n n , kn n n
En CE { E/x <n n

Congenital anomalies
Family history of multiple pregnancy

=M Eb k CEn + |k hb En
{n CE

Manual removal of baby

Contracted pelvis

En E {]] Bb kM
<b {{ <CE <n n

Post-partum bleeding

En {n {{ k {SS

Contraception
Oral contraceptive pills

Ekb
Ekb j {]

IUCD

Ekb vx {]]M

Tubectomy

Eb E]]{{b n SS
Bn n

Any other method (condoms, etc)

GYNAECOLOGY - MENSTRUAL HISTORY

Age at Menarche

Bn n i]] n n
i]] n

Regular cycles
No. of days
No. of pads used

Bkx xCE i]] n

+ xCE Bkx ih kM

Flow

k Vi {n , < EV {n

Whether passing clots

Dysmenorrhea

k E]] E]] {n
i]] <CE

Does it put off her work

+{{ b <CE

Inter-menstrual discharge
LMP

hb i]]CE xb k n
Eb i]] B{{ n n

Menopause

B{{ i]] xhhn

Age at 1 st child

Bn =M n En {n n
Eh +< Bkx +SS

No. of years married

COMPLAINTS (GYNAEC.)
White discharge per vaginum
Mass descending P/V

{b n
M { <M <CE

Mass abdomen / Pain abdomen

Refer Abdomen

[ 17 ]

Post-coital bleeding

{x Eb n k n

Bleeding per vaginum

E k {b n
+hhCE xn ]] <CE

Continuous flow of urine

OPHTHALMOLOGY
Can you see?

Ehh in

Tears

Ehh n

Is vision reduced?

{ M <CE

Sudden

ib z xn n

Progressive

EV EV { M +]] n

Coloured haloes

{CE { k
x E in

Diplopia

hb -hb in

Polyopia

x = in
(shadows)

Photophobia

SS {k Ehh En

Watering

Ehh <n ihh n E]] <CE

Redness

Ehh n <CE

Black spots

E{{ { in

Itching

+CEn

Not opening

Ehh iCE b n

Injury

+b {]]n

Lens

{{{

Since birth

{n n n

Visual defect

{ E

Near

E]]

Distant

n
E.N.T.

Ear

En

Nose

CE

Throat

ihb

Can you hear?

En ECEn
[ 18 ]

Right ear

n En

Left ear

<b n En

Which ear?

Bn En

Tinnitus

En k ECEn

Earache

En <CE

Discharge

, k, n , ihh n

Foul smelling

xk <CE

Vertigo

xb CEn i kn

Nasal obstruction

CE +b {{ <CE

Bleeding

CE k n

Nasal intonation

CE SS n

Mouth breathing

SS n

Sore throat

ihb E]]CE

Recurrent

+b CEb , i-i

Difficulty in swallowing

{{b n M b n

Cold

{b SSCE

Hoarseness of voice

ihb EE{{ <CE

(hoarseness)

[ 19 ]

(dizzy)