[Software] How to Type Tamil language Using English words (Tanglish) in Kubuntu 26.04 LTS

[happy winter]

Hello everyone,

Good day to you!

I would like to know how to install and enable Tamil fonts and Tamil typing/transliteration support in Kubuntu 26.04

When I was using Windows, I used Azhagi+, which allowed me to type Tamil using English characters (Tanglish), for example:

• vanakkam → வணக்கம்
• epdi irukeenga → எப்படி இருக்கீங்க

I would like to have similar functionality in Kubuntu, mainly for WhatsApp, web browsers, and other chat/messaging applications.

Could someone please guide me on the following?

• How to install/enable Tamil fonts and language support?
• How to enable Tamil Tanglish transliteration?
• Is there a built-in Linux/Kubuntu solution, or do I need additional software?
• Is there any software similar to Azhagi+ for Linux?
• Will it work system-wide in WhatsApp, browsers, and other applications?
• Can Azhagi+ be installed directly on Kubuntu, or can the Windows version be used through Wine? If so, are there any limitations or special configurations required?

I am specifically looking for transliteration/input support, not just Tamil fonts. My requirement is to type in English/Tanglish and have it converted to Tamil script while typing.

If anyone has already configured this on Kubuntu 26.10, I would greatly appreciate a simple step-by-step guide, including the required software/packages and settings.

Thank you!

(NOTE # it is the same topic also posted in https://discuss.kde.org) "First of all, thank you everyone here! I know this topic isn't directly related to Kubuntu OS bugs, software errors, or display issues—it is for a personal project where I need Tanglish tamil language support on Kubuntu 26.10. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read this, answer my questions, and provide such helpful guidance."

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"I wasn't sure where to post my Kubuntu software issues, so I shared them in both places. Thanks for understanding! I also need simple, step-by-step help on how to install Tamil fonts.."

Regards,

Happy Winter

[die.boer]

If your main requirement is Tamil transliteration — typing English/Tanglish such as vanakkam and getting வணக்கம் — you don't need to change the whole Kubuntu desktop to Tamil.

A good native Linux solution is IBus + m17n, which provides a Tamil phonetic input method.

First install the required packages:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install ibus ibus-m17n m17n-db fonts-taml

Then run:

ibus-setup

In IBus Preferences:
-Go to Input Method.
-Enable Customize active input methods.
-Click Add.
-Select Tamil → Phonetic.
-Add it alongside your normal English keyboard.

You can then switch between English and Tamil input using the IBus keyboard shortcut (normally Super+Space, depending on your configuration).

For example:
vanakkam -- வணக்கம்


and:
epdi irukeenga -- Tamil Unicode text.

Because this is an input method, rather than a particular text editor, it should work in applications such as web browsers, chat/messaging applications, LibreOffice, etc., provided the application supports normal Unicode text input.

One thing to be aware of is that IBus Tamil Phonetic and Azhagi+ may not produce exactly the same transliteration for every combination of letters.

Also, installing Tamil fonts by itself is not enough. Fonts only allow the system to display Tamil characters. The important part for your requirement is the Tamil Phonetic input method, which converts your Latin/Tanglish keystrokes into Tamil Unicode while typing.

I would therefore start with:
Tamil fonts+IBus+ibus-m17n+Tamil - Phonetic
rather than installing a large Tamil language pack or changing the entire KDE desktop language.

[happy winter]

Hi die.boer,


Thank you for your reply & the information. I’m currently away from my Kubuntu laptop. I’ll check and get back to you about IBus + m17n & get back to you.

Regards,
Happy Winter

[happy winter]

If your main requirement is Tamil transliteration — typing English/Tanglish such as vanakkam and getting வணக்கம் — you don't need to change the whole Kubuntu desktop to Tamil.

A good native Linux solution is IBus + m17n, which provides a Tamil phonetic input method.

First install the required packages:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install ibus ibus-m17n m17n-db fonts-taml

Then run:

ibus-setup

In IBus Preferences:
-Go to Input Method.
-Enable Customize active input methods.
-Click Add.
-Select Tamil → Phonetic.
-Add it alongside your normal English keyboard.

You can then switch between English and Tamil input using the IBus keyboard shortcut (normally Super+Space, depending on your configuration).

For example:
vanakkam -- வணக்கம்


and:
epdi irukeenga -- Tamil Unicode text.

Because this is an input method, rather than a particular text editor, it should work in applications such as web browsers, chat/messaging applications, LibreOffice, etc., provided the application supports normal Unicode text input.

One thing to be aware of is that IBus Tamil Phonetic and Azhagi+ may not produce exactly the same transliteration for every combination of letters.

Also, installing Tamil fonts by itself is not enough. Fonts only allow the system to display Tamil characters. The important part for your requirement is the Tamil Phonetic input method, which converts your Latin/Tanglish keystrokes into Tamil Unicode while typing.

I would therefore start with:
Tamil fonts+IBus+ibus-m17n+Tamil - Phonetic
rather than installing a large Tamil language pack or changing the entire KDE desktop language.

Hi,

after installing i am geting this tamil normal keyboard options and not tanglish. if i select all the tamil language keyboards, it is switching to that, but none of them are typing in tanglish. i tested using libre office writer and notepad text editor. later kindly let me know.

best regards,

happy winter

[Snowhog]

Warning: AI can (and does) get its answers wrong, so review the following with the required 'grain of salt.'

AI Overview

To enable Tanglish (typing in Tamil script using English characters) on Kubuntu 26.04, you can use Fcitx5 with the m17n input engine, which seamlessly integrates with KDE Plasma's System Settings. [1, 2]
Follow these steps to set it up:

Step 1: Install Fcitx5 and the Tamil Phonetic Engine

Open your terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and install the required packages: [1]

sudo apt update sudo apt install fcitx5 fcitx5-m17n m17n-db

Use code with caution.

Step 2: Set Fcitx5 as Your System Input Method

• Open System Settings.

• Navigate to Language & Time > Input Method.

• Ensure that Fcitx5 is selected as the default input method backend.

• Note: If you don't see it immediately active, log out of your system and log back in to refresh the components. [1]

Step 3: Add the Tamil Phonetic (Tanglish) Layout

• Open System Settings and go back to Language & Time > Input Method.

• Click on Add Input Method or the + button.

• Search for Tamil.

• Look for Tamil (phonetic (m17n)) or Tamil (itrans (m17n)) in the list.

• Select it and click Add. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Step 4: Test and Switch Layouts

• You can now toggle between your regular English keyboard layout and Tanglish by pressing Ctrl + Space (the default Fcitx5 trigger).

• Alternatively, look for the keyboard status icon in your system tray to switch layouts manually. When activated, typing English characters like "amma" will instantly render as "அம்மா". [1, 2]

[happy winter]

Warning: AI can (and does) get its answers wrong, so review the following with the required 'grain of salt.'

AI Overview

To enable Tanglish (typing in Tamil script using English characters) on Kubuntu 26.04, you can use Fcitx5 with the m17n input engine, which seamlessly integrates with KDE Plasma's System Settings. [1, 2]
Follow these steps to set it up:

Step 1: Install Fcitx5 and the Tamil Phonetic Engine

Open your terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T) and install the required packages: [1]

sudo apt update sudo apt install fcitx5 fcitx5-m17n m17n-db

Use code with caution.

Step 2: Set Fcitx5 as Your System Input Method

• Open System Settings.

• Navigate to Language & Time > Input Method.

• Ensure that Fcitx5 is selected as the default input method backend.

• Note: If you don't see it immediately active, log out of your system and log back in to refresh the components. [1]

Step 3: Add the Tamil Phonetic (Tanglish) Layout

• Open System Settings and go back to Language & Time > Input Method.

• Click on Add Input Method or the + button.

• Search for Tamil.

• Look for Tamil (phonetic (m17n)) or Tamil (itrans (m17n)) in the list.

• Select it and click Add. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Step 4: Test and Switch Layouts

• You can now toggle between your regular English keyboard layout and Tanglish by pressing Ctrl + Space (the default Fcitx5 trigger).

• Alternatively, look for the keyboard status icon in your system tray to switch layouts manually. When activated, typing English characters like "amma" will instantly render as "அம்மா". [1, 2]

Hi Snowhog,

Thank you for the reply. I am currently away from my Kubuntu laptop, but I will try those options this evening and give you an update.

[happy winter]

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share a quick update. Thank you so much for the help! Before this, I didn't know how to enable the Tamil font at all. However, after applying these settings, I am finally able to use the Tamil keyboard layout in Kubuntu. While Tanglish (phonetic typing) still isn't working, I am glad that everything else is working perfectly for now. No worries at all, and thanks again for your help!

[die.boer]

It sounds like you have enabled the regular Tamil keyboard layout rather than the phonetic input method.

Could you open a terminal and run:

dpkg -l ibus ibus-m17n m17n-db fcitx5-m17n

Please post the output here. This will help us determine which input method framework and packages are installed.

If you installed ibus-m17n, try opening IBus Preferences:
ibus-setup


Go to Input Method → Add and look specifically for Tamil → Phonetic (m17n), not the regular Tamil keyboard layout. Add it, then select that input method and test it in a text editor.

If Tamil Phonetic is missing from the list, please let us know rather than installing more packages just yet.

[happy winter]

It sounds like you have enabled the regular Tamil keyboard layout rather than the phonetic input method.

Could you open a terminal and run:

dpkg -l ibus ibus-m17n m17n-db fcitx5-m17n

Please post the output here. This will help us determine which input method framework and packages are installed.

If you installed ibus-m17n, try opening IBus Preferences:
ibus-setup


Go to Input Method → Add and look specifically for Tamil → Phonetic (m17n), not the regular Tamil keyboard layout. Add it, then select that input method and test it in a text editor.

If Tamil Phonetic is missing from the list, please let us know rather than installing more packages just yet.

Hi die.boer,

thank you ! right now i am away from my kubuntu laptop, later evening i will try then share you the output of the command.

[happy winter]

It sounds like you have enabled the regular Tamil keyboard layout rather than the phonetic input method.

Could you open a terminal and run:

dpkg -l ibus ibus-m17n m17n-db fcitx5-m17n

Please post the output here. This will help us determine which input method framework and packages are installed.

If you installed ibus-m17n, try opening IBus Preferences:
ibus-setup


Go to Input Method → Add and look specifically for Tamil → Phonetic (m17n), not the regular Tamil keyboard layout. Add it, then select that input method and test it in a text editor.

If Tamil Phonetic is missing from the list, please let us know rather than installing more packages just yet.

Hi die.boer & Snowhog & everyone others who helped me,

Thank you so much—everything is working perfectly now!
I followed the steps suggested by the community and restarted my laptop. While I am not sure exactly which step resolved it, both the Tamil font and Tanglish typing (phonetic English-to-Tamil input) are now functioning without any issues. I truly take my time to appreciate the incredible support provided by everyone here. Kudos to you and the team!

thanks
happy winter.

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[die.boer]

அருமை! நல்லா செஞ்சீங்க! 👏