Population: 10,265,000
Chennai
BeachesTransportationWeatherMore...
More Topics...

What are the most common languages spoken in Chennai, Tamil Nadu?

51 local experts
Share
Share

Are residents of Chennai typically multilingual? What languages are most common? Here's what 51 local experts had to say about language in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Leave a comment

People mainly speak Tamil. The metro and local train facility is super good. Hindi opposition is present. Auto wala charge high but know the route very well even without Google Maps, you can ask them if you are stuck anywhere.

Donglee, says: 2023

Chennai is either hot or hottest. When it rains, it floods in the road. Great people, very friendly and helpful. We speak the oldest language in the world, Tamil. You can manage with English and struggle a bit with Hindi. Varieties of tasty, spicy and hot food. Heavy traffic. Ancient temples. Worlds second largest beach. Continental and North Indian food abundant.

Ramsharan, says: 2023

If you’re moving to Chennai then be prepared to enjoy the Indian summer in all its glory! Mangoes, the beaches, the fragrance of jasmine and the rustle of silk might conjure rosy images of this city but humidity, heat and traffic can bring you back to reality. Public transportation is now pretty comfortable and of late the regular rains have calmed down Chennai’s fiery heat! So be prepared to take things in your stride including jibes if you don’t know the local language.

My city boasts a sweltering and humid climate that requires you to carry comfortable cotton clothes. Another thing to keep in mind is the language. You must be at least a bit familiar with the regional language, which is Tamil, as some of the natives might not know English.

Abhishek, says: 2020

Anyone moving to our city should know the local language to get along with people in public places. Our city has a flare of street food, tourist attractions, beaches, and a multicultural crowd for an enriching experience that one can look forward to.

Anshul, says: 2020

I am from India and my city is chennai, In my city have great beach is name Marina beach, its conduct lots of Religion dramas, people’s living from many states and languages ex., Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi etc., In south Chennai like a little smart because there have a lots of IT companies.

Shaziya, says: 2020

Someone moving here will find it difficult to survive without knowing at least a bit of Tamil, a native language of Chennai. Because, many of the locals with whom you will interact would not be aware of English or other languages. know at least basics of the Tamil language to survive comfortable in Chennai.

Chinmaya, says: 2020

Chennai is a bustling, thriving seaside city in South India. Tamil is widely spoken though you can get by with English or Hindi too. summer from March through May are hot and humid with temperatures at times more than 40 degrees C, Educational institutions are of top standard. Housing and cost of living quite affordable. Famous for nurturing artists by holding annual events in its various Sabhas.

My City ‘Chennai’ is heaven for me. Any one wanting to move to my city specifically needs to know about traffic here. They should also take note of the humid weather condition. The majority of the people here are friendly. But you must try to learn our local language ‘Tamil’ here for better survival.

Keerthi, says: 2020

Chennai city is the Popularly called “Gateway to the South India”. Marina beach is a major tourist attraction of the city. The city is known for its classical music shows Every December. It has played a vital role in the evolution of traditional and contemporary art in India. Tamil is the city’s first language. English is spoken widely in South Chennai and Central Chennai, (Kanchipuram and Chennai districts) and is used almost exclusively in business, education and other white collar professions.

Ananya, says: 2020

If moving to Chennai, please be relaxed as the people here are extremely friendly and helpful. But It would definitely be an advantage to know the English language as majority of the local people here either understand and speak Tamil (the local spoken language) or English. To move around the city, the local auto rickshaw is good and extremely safe for transportation but please be aware to bargain with the local rickshaw drivers are they are famous to charge double rates for people who are new and unaware of the city’s landscape.

Nivetha, says: 2020

Although Chennai is a multilingual fast-paced city, know to speak in the native tamil language. In all aspects without tamil, it will be very hard to survive in the city and be ready for heavy traffic and dusty roads. Avoid Chennai if you are fan of calm environment, because this will not be your cup of tea.

Kiruba, says: 2020

Chennai is the capital of the state Tamil Nadu. This is perfect place for anyone from any city or country. The only adjustment to be made by a foreigner is adapting to heat.it is a hotter city but with all kinds of foods, clothing etcetera is available.

This is also one of the best-suited places for workers from various parts of the globe. The cost of living should be considered. Certain areas like Anna Nagar, Mogappair, and other nearby areas have high standards of living and hence the living expenses are comparatively high. Therefore, to consider moving to Chennai make sure you get the right place (locality) and if you are from other countries check for major places where that particular language people accommodate in.

Aditya, says: 2020

As all know Chennai is a city that welcomes all people irrespective of language and gender. Someone moving to this city gets easily adapted and all they have to know is finding the right place. As there are areas with high living standards and cost of living as well. moving to Chennai city is preferable for working people as they have all modes of transportation to reach their workplace. A general suggestion would be, find a place nearby work area that have a decent living and a reasonable cost of living.

Yadati, says: 2020

Chennai is the hottest city compared to other cities in our state. The city is known very well for South Indian food and it is the most developed city. Tamil is the most common language spoken by the people.

Akshay, says: 2020

Chennai is a city in the Tamil speaking region of the country. One who wishes to move to Chennai, can survive with English language alone. People in the city are friendly and one could build a network easily. Chennai is also an hub for various kinds of jobs. The city is known for its culture and tradition.

Ritika, says: 2020

Living in Chennai will place you in the heart of a bustling Indian city. One very enjoyable aspect of living in Chennai is the scenery, in particular its two main beaches, Marina Beach and Elliot’s Beach. Most of the population thus considers Tamil to be their official language, with Telugu in a distant second place. If you are an English speaker, though, living in Chennai should not be a problem.

Chennai is a city which will accommodate everyone irrespective of their standard of living. Learning local language can be done at ease without any hassle. Chennai is a treasure for historians and who love ancient monuments. Delicious food and sumptuous meal can be had at every nook and corner of the city.

Revathy, says: 2020

Most people in our city speaks our native language which is Tamil. Hence I kindly request everyone considering to come to our city should learn Tamil to have a good lifestyle. our city is famous for temples and road side shops and hence don’t miss it. At last, One should not miss the view of the Marina beach in the early morning which is a gift to our eye to feel the real beauty of our nature.

Abhijeet, says: 2020

a person moving to City just have to know how to be kind that’s enough for that person as everyone in my City are always welcoming and helpful. Preferably about the language which is Tamil, it’s good for the person to know it for a better understanding in communication.

Abhishek, says: 2020

Anyone moving to Chennai should know it is terribly hot here. Also one must know the local language here as the majority do not speak in English. It is the capital of Tamil Nadu and is very well known for its vast coastline. The local cuisine here has rice as it’s prime ingredient.

Deepak, says: 2020

I reside in Chennai. My city is famous for British monuments and architecture. They can view the buildings are still in good condition and can visit some of places like central station, madras university. And we encourage all people who are trying to speak our mother tongue, And English is a common language and will always help if any person comes and stays with us. And they can relish all kinds of cuisines and its famous for south Indian cuisines and seafood.

Tabrez, says: 2020

Three things know when you relocate to Chennai:
1. Usually the weather is very hot during summer.
2. The language in Chennai is Tamil.
3. The autorickshaw drivers are very notorious. They charge high prices if they know you are a visitor.

Chennai is along the Eastern coast of India. Hence, the climate is quite hot and humid for most parts of the year. The high population density means that there is heavy dependence on natural resources such as land and water, and water scarcity and power cuts are quite common during summer. The cultural heritage and the people, however, more than make up for these discomforts, and in all, make Chennai a wonderful place. The people of Chennai speak Tamil, a language that is predominantly spoken in Tamil Nadu, a language with unique phonetics, which may be hard to learn.

Amanjot, says: 2020

This city is well known for its vast culture and wide variety of choices available in every aspect of living. It has people of every Race, Religion, language, Culture living together in harmony. Being the state capital, This city has many incentives provided for everyone and it makes living easy for people. Chennai has so many vacation spots, tourist centers, shopping malls, hangout places to chill out. It also has many reputable educational institutions and various jobs for in different fields. It is a city where people can have their own lifestyle and can still easily fit in. On the whole, It is the best option for anyone and everyone when it comes to moving in.

Abhinav, says: 2020

The thing a person should know while moving here is that he/she must be able to understand the language spoken by the native people. By knowing so, It will be easy to manage at circumstances. And he must be able to have an idea about the city wherever he go.

Chennai is very much known for population, pollution and climate. People who can adapt working with a vast variety of changing culture and climate, can opt for this city. Though it cannot be compared with Mumbai – the city that never sleeps, it has an incredible trait to it – it welcomes all people; of varied culture, demography and language. People here are mostly friendly and polite. For those who have cost of living in their checklist, Chennai is not high and not low cost city.

Manjushree, says: 2020

Chennai is a city like no other. With bustling wide streets to cut on traffic and widespread opportunities for both professionals and students with multiple industries and educational institutions, it is emerging as the next city of dreams. People from all over the country come here hoping to find a place for themselves to further their dreams. Learning to speak tamil (the city’s official language) helps with making the city home and navigating the place with it’s well connected buses.

While partying crowd might be tad disappointed, students can find a cheap discounts in various stores and find essentials at throwaway prices. Haggling is a prerequisite however. There have been incidents of flooding so a high rise building and insurance coverage here.

Harshvardhan, says: 2020

Basically the person should be able to speak good English and willing to adapt with the local food habits. People here are trustworthy, hence the chances of getting deceived are quite negligible. I would also suggest the person to actively involve in learning the local language as soon as possible for better survival.

Harleen, says: 2020

Here are some handy tips know before moving to Chennai:
1. Embrace local food and local language
2. Weather’s a Torture
3. You’ll have to transition into an Early Bird
4. Know your Neighbourhood before moving
5. A city that’s Culturally- Alive with a Vibrant Character

Chennai has its own list of festivals that people celebrate with much vigour and enthusiasm. Pongal is equivalent of their Diwali. Another famous festival is Jallikattu, celebrated by millions.

Jasneet, says: 2020

A person must know the local language here, which is tamil at least to some extent to sustain here. And also, they must be capable of having their own house here as the rent here is very high. Water scarcity is a big problem here, especially during summer. Otherwise Chennai is a great city.

Girija, says: 2020

Chennai is known to people as the cultural capital of India. The city is an amalgamation of old Tamil culture, British leftovers, and modern high rise buildings. Although my city has been through some tough times in the last few years through political turmoils and environmental disasters, the warmth of people has never come down. The must-haves for visiting Chennai are water bottles, a language guide, sunscreen lotion, and an open mind for the people. Beaches, old temples, and crowded streets are awaiting you!

Sahana, says: 2020

Chennai is in South India and is the capital of the state Tamil Nadu. Tamil is the language spoken widely though common people understand English. There are lot of tourist attractions in this city. For instance, Mahabalipuram is an UNICEF heritage site located close to the city. Chennai houses people from various cultural background from all over India.

Chennai is one of the metropolitan cities in India. It’s densely populated and diverse in culture. People speak tamil which is one of the oldest language in the world. It lies in the coast of Bay of Bengal and houses the second longest beach in the world.

Be warned that this is one of the most humid and hottest places in India. If you are interested in visiting Temples and eating traditional food, this is the right place for you. Tamil is the most widely spoken language here, followed by Telugu, though you can get by with English.

Shashank, says: 2020

The city is a bit populated. The language spoken here is a Tamil. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu. It has a Historic background, with all the powerful kings ruling the place in the past. It’s tradition is something which is praised by the whole world. Tamil is the oldest language ever in the history.

People are very helpful and friendly here. The entire city is quite accessible on public transport. There are different cuisines that are available in Chennai. A lot of people can understand and speak basic English. Marina Beach is the second largest beach in the world and a lot of people visit it and enjoy the waves.

Likhitha, says: 2020

It’s a best place to survive and you can able to share all your experience to everyone because everyone is that much easy to speak with everyone will smile at you without any hesitation and everyone is kind hearted person with helping mind-set. And you can see the world’s second largest beach here.

Culture is the backbone of my city. Being one of the oldest cultures since the early civilization and as a speaker of one of the ancient language spoken which is approximately 5000 years old, I strongly recommend my hometown to be a place full of historic tales which an avid traveler is unlikely to resist.

Abhijot, says: 2020

In a positive way, a person know the facilities to his family’s settlement, educational facilities, jobs, health/medication facilities, and infrastructure etc. ie a basic needs to run a family and live a healthy and prosperous life. The climate is the disaster in this city, other demerits are pollution and language.

Chennai is a city of culture. This city is formally known as madras, a city of temple. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu, here all kinds of languages are spoken for example Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, kannada and English. There are many amazing food available and people are very warm and welcoming.

Chaitali, says: 2020

Anyone moving to Chennai should have some knowledge of the language, Tamil. They should also be comfortable with traffic as it gets really hectic during the mornings and evenings of weekdays. There are also only a few hotels which serve very high quality North Indian food.

Subrata, says: 2020

If you are ready to move to Chennai make sure that you are starting your day early because traffic is high here. If possible take flats near to your office itself. If you don’t know Tamil, try to learn at least some phrases in Tamil. Chennai is a warm place so be prepared for the heat. Chennai people are always friendly so that you can relocate without any fear.

Gowtham, says: 2020

Chennai is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. The one who moving to Chennai need to understand the local language called Tamil and he/she must be comfortable with humidity in climate. The People of Chennai very friendly and love to do help when needed. Chennai has very historic culture one must experience in personal.

Siddhanth, says: 2020

Being a coastal city, it can get extremely humid during summers. The cost of living here is moderately high, so it is important to consider if their source of income can cover their expenses and leave some savings. There is no dearth of sources of entertainment what with a beach and malls and nice restaurants. Tamil is the local language, so knowledge of the same will make everyday life easier.

Yashaswini, says: 2020

The people of Chennai are called Chennaites. Chennai is in the south of India and the people speak Tamil as their primary language. However, westernisation has made most Chennaites understand English, if not speak the language. Chennai usually has a warm climate. The peak of summer is experienced during April and May. The city is a metropolitan one with immense noteworthy locations to visit and enjoy. Chennai specialises in being a place of major employment opportunities in South India. Hence, people from different other states of the country have come to Chennai for making the best use of the employment opportunities presented. Chennai is a hub of many multinational companies in the country.

Meghana, says: 2020

Chennai is an old city with a lot of cosmopolitan outlooks. You will come across a lot of people acceptable and readily approachable. Only some of them can understand and speak English. It has good cultural heritage. The cost of living is within the permissible level and you can enjoy wonderful cuisine.

Chennai is the metropolitan city and cinema capital of my state. Lots of languages and religions united in one place. It is the technology capital of Tamil Nadu. Chennai is Known for it combination of all IT fields and all other major industries in Tamil Nadu. It is also a political capital.

Karishma, says: 2020

A person moving to my city should know they need to get familiar with the regional language, as it would help them in being more easily accepted. It would also help them to receive better help from the local people. They need to get comfortable in having the local food, as it is the food best prepared and served.

When moving to Chennai the first thing that need to be understood is about the weather there. Whatever might be the time of the day, it’s always hot. Language can be a problem there as most of the locals speak in Tamil. It’s a city that wakes up before the sun and follow the policy of early to bed. One need to travel a distance to reach their destination.

Anindita, says: 2020

Chennai is a coastal city and the capital of Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India. It’s a cultural hub and takes prides in its proximity to many temples and archeological sites. It’s cuisine is very different from what the rest of the world considers “Indian.” The main language spoken in Chennai is Tamil.

Ruchika, says: 2020
BeachesTransportationWeatherMore...
More Chennai Topics...

Comments are closed.

Names of respondents may have been changed.

Share
Share