Tamil · Greetings & Phrases
நலமா?
nalamaa
How are you?
Beginnerphrase
Definition
Asking if someone is well; the reply is nalam, I am well.
Example
நலமா? — நலம், நன்றி.
Are you well? — I am well, thanks.
Etymology
'நலமா?' (nalamaa) is directly derived from the word 'நலம்' (nalam), indicating well-being or health, combined with a questioning nuance typical of conversational Tamil.
How & Where It’s Used
This phrase is used informally in daily conversations to ask after someone's health, primarily in spoken Tamil among friends and family. It is regionally prevalent in conversational Tamil across South India.