Hindi vs. Tamil: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Hindi, an Indo-Aryan language, is predominantly spoken in Northern India, while Tamil, a Dravidian language, is primarily used in Southern India and Sri Lanka.
Key Differences
Hindi belongs to the Indo-Aryan language group, part of the larger Indo-European family. Tamil is a Dravidian language, unrelated to the Indo-European language family.
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Dec 25, 2023
Hindi is mainly spoken in North India and is one of India's official languages. Tamil is spoken in Tamil Nadu, a state in South India, and is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore.
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Hindi uses the Devanagari script, while Tamil has its unique script, the Tamil script, both of which are distinct and unrelated.
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Hindi phonetics and grammar are influenced by Sanskrit, featuring complex conjugations and gendered nouns. Tamil, with its agglutinative grammar, places importance on suffixes to convey grammatical information.
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Hindi evolved from Sanskrit through Prakrit and Apabhramsha stages, incorporating Persian and Arabic influences. Tamil, one of the oldest living languages, has a rich classical tradition and literature dating back millennia.
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Comparison Chart
Grammar Structure
Gendered nouns, complex conjugations
Agglutinative, suffix-based grammar
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Hindi and Tamil Definitions
Hindi
A language with roots in Sanskrit, using Devanagari script.
The poem was beautifully written in Hindi.
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Tamil
An official language in Tamil Nadu, India, and Sri Lanka.
Tamil is spoken widely in Chennai.
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Hindi
A language enriched with Persian and Arabic vocabulary.
Many Hindi words are borrowed from Persian.
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Tamil
A classical language and literature with a history spanning millennia.
Tamil literature is renowned for its ancient works.
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Hindi
A communication medium in Bollywood films and Indian media.
The film's dialogues were in Hindi.
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Tamil
A language with its unique script, distinct from Indo-Aryan languages.
Tamil script is known for its elegance and complexity.
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Hindi
An official language of India, primarily spoken in the north.
Hindi is taught in many schools across India.
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Tamil
A language with rich cultural and artistic traditions in South India.
Tamil classical music is deeply rooted in tradition.
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Hindi
A language used in various dialects across North India.
He spoke in a regional dialect of Hindi.
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Tamil
A language with a significant diaspora community worldwide.
Tamil communities thrive in many countries, preserving their language.
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Tamil
A member of a Dravidian people of southern India and northern Sri Lanka.
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Hindi
The literary and official language of northern India that is based on these dialects. It is written in Devanagari and uses Sanskrit as a resource language.
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Hindi
The name given by Europeans to that form of the Hindustani language which is chiefly spoken by native Hindus. In employs the Devanagari character, in which Sanskrit is written.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hindi
The most widely spoken of modern Indic vernaculars; spoken mostly in the north of India; along with English it is the official language of India; usually written in Devanagari script
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Oct 19, 2023
Tamil
One of a Dravidian race of men native of Northern Ceylon and Southern India.
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Tamil
A member of the mixed Dravidian and Caucasoid people of southern India and Sri Lanka
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Tamil
The Dravidian language spoken since prehistoric times by the Tamil people in southern India and Sri Lanka
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Tamil
Of or relating to a speaker of the Tamil language or the language itself;
The Tamil Tigers are fighting the Sinhalese in Sri Lanka
Tamil agglutinative phrases
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is Hindi used in Indian media?
Yes, extensively in Bollywood and national media.
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Where is Hindi predominantly spoken?
In Northern India and as a second language in other parts.
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How has Hindi evolved over time?
Through influences from Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic.
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What is Tamil?
A Dravidian language spoken primarily in Tamil Nadu, India, and Sri Lanka.
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Where is Tamil predominantly spoken?
In Tamil Nadu, parts of Sri Lanka, and among the Tamil diaspora.
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Do Hindi and Tamil share common vocabulary?
They have distinct vocabularies with minimal overlap.
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How old is Tamil as a language?
It is one of the oldest living languages with a history spanning over 2000 years.
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How do the phonetics of Hindi and Tamil differ?
Hindi's phonetics are influenced by Sanskrit, while Tamil's are unique to the Dravidian family.
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Are Hindi and Tamil mutually intelligible?
No, they are from different language families and are distinct.
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How are Hindi and Tamil taught in India?
As part of the educational curriculum in their respective regions.
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Are there different dialects in Hindi and Tamil?
Yes, both have various regional dialects.
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What role do Hindi and Tamil play in Indian culture?
Both are integral to their respective cultural and artistic traditions.
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Are there international institutions promoting Hindi and Tamil?
Yes, there are cultural and educational institutions worldwide for both languages.
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Is Tamil known for its classical literature?
Yes, it has a rich tradition of classical literature.
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Do Hindi and Tamil have official status outside India?
Hindi in some countries; Tamil in Sri Lanka and Singapore.
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Can speakers of Hindi understand Tamil, and vice versa?
Generally, no, due to significant linguistic differences.
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Dec 25, 2023
Is Tamil a part of South Indian cinema?
Yes, it's central to the Tamil film industry.
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Dec 25, 2023
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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