There are more words in Thamil for family members, since the words are more specific about the relationship bewteen two family memebers. 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 | ||
| mk;kh | mother | mg;gh | father |
| mf;fh | older sister | mz;zh | older brother |
| jq;if | younger sister | jk;gp | younger brother |
| mj;ij | aunt | khkh | uncle |
| rpj;jp | aunt | rpj;jg;gh | uncle |
| ngupak;kh | aunt | ngupag;gh | uncle |
| Ngj;jp | granddaughter | Ngud; | grandson |
| kUkfs; | niece / daughter-in-law | kUkfd; | 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 | ||
| fhty;fhud; | policeman | fhty; = police |
| fhty;fhup | policewoman | |
| kUj;Jtu; | doctor | kUe;J = medicine |