Cardinal Directions (திசைகள்)
Tap any tile to hear the direction spoken.
The four cardinal directions in Tamil carry a clear logic: கிழக்கு (east) is the direction in which கதிரவன் (the sun) rises — the root கீழ் means “to descend / drop down”, and the sun “descends” onto the eastern horizon at dawn. மேற்கு (west) likewise ties to மேல் (above), and வடக்கு / தெற்கு (north / south) are derived from older Tamil compass roots.
The four cardinal directions
Direction in context
To say “in/from a direction”, Tamil suffixes the case marker: வடக்கில் (“in the north”), தெற்கிலிருந்து (“from the south”), கிழக்கு நோக்கி (“facing east”). In Tamil tradition, the head-of-bed is conventionally placed facing south (தெற்கு) is avoided for sleeping, while east-facing entrances are considered auspicious for daylight.