Aiyo
ஐயோ
All-purpose exclamation of dismay, sympathy, or mild despair. Entered the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016, which surprised nobody who lives here.
Aiyo, keys-ah veetla vitutten.
Mass
மாஸ்
Impressive in a loud, crowd-pleasing way. Borrowed from film marketing and now applied to everything from an entrance to a biryani.
Andha climax scene mass da, theatre-e kalambiduchu.
Kalaikaadhe
கலைக்காதே
Do not disturb, do not spoil it. Said when a mood, a plan or a nap is going well and someone is about to ruin it.
Nalla thoongitu irunthen, kalaikaadhe.
Sarakku
சரக்கு
Alcohol. Literally goods or merchandise — the deliberate vagueness is the point, since it lets you discuss it in front of family.
Weekend sarakku scene-ah? Naan sweet-ah irupen.
Nachu
நச்சு
Spot on, exactly right, perfectly timed. The sound of something landing where it should. Often doubled — nachu nachu — for emphasis.
Nee sonna answer nachu-nu irunthuchu.
Vaayadi
வாயாடி
Chatterbox, someone who talks without pause. Feminine form by grammar, used broadly in practice. Not a compliment, but rarely a serious insult.
Antha vaayadi kitta sollaadha, oorukke theriyum.
Thala
தல
Head, leader, boss. Respect term for someone senior or admired. Also a specific actor, depending on who you ask and how strongly they feel.
Thala, oru help venum.
Dabba
டப்பா
Rubbish, useless, poor quality. Literally a tin box. Applied to films, phones, arguments and people with equal enthusiasm.
Antha padam full dabba, ticket money waste.
Peela
பீலா
Bragging, showing off with no substance behind it. Peela vidurathu is to talk yourself up. The listener is expected to see through it.
Avan peela vidura alavuku work panniruntha company vaangiruppan.
Sokka
சோக்கா
Sharp, well-turned-out, looking good. Usually about clothes or grooming rather than the person underneath.
Sokka-ah dress panniruka, kalyanam-ah?