There are more words in Thamil for family members, since the words are more specific about the relationship bewteen two family members. The number of words for family members in Thamil is perhaps a reflection that the extended family is an important part of Thamil society.
| Family Words | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | Male | ||
| அம்மா | mother | அப்பா | father |
| அக்கா | older sister | அண்ணா | older brother |
| தங்கை | younger sister | தம்பி | younger brother |
| அத்தை | aunt | மாமா | uncle |
| சித்தி | aunt | சித்தப்பா | uncle |
| பெரியம்மா | aunt | பெரியப்பா | uncle |
| பேத்தி | granddaughter | பேரன் | grandson |
| மருமகள் | niece / daughter-in-law | மருமகன் | nephew / son-in-law |
People who have a specific profession can be called by their profession. Some words are like compound words, with the name of the profession included.
| Professions | ||
|---|---|---|
| காவல்காரன் | policeman | காவல் = police |
| காவல்காரி | policewoman | |
| மருத்துவர் | doctor | மருந்து = medicine |