Greetings, Respect, and Your First Sentences
In this lesson, we move beyond simple words to constructing our first real sentences. We will cover how to ask "How are you?", navigate the complex social rules of "You" (நீ vs நீங்கள்), and learn the difference between what you write and what you actually speak.
1.The Essentials
Let's start with common conversation starters. Notice that Tamil often adds respect markers when talking to strangers or elders.
| Tamil (தமிழ்) | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| வணக்கம் | Vaṇakkam | Hello / Welcome |
| எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்? | Eppadi irukkiṟīrkaḷ? | How are you? (Formal) |
| உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன? | Uṅkaḷ peyar enna? | What is your name? (Formal) |
| நீங்கள் எந்த ஊர்? | Nīṅkaḷ enta ūr? | Where are you from? (Lit: Which is your town?) |
| நன்றி | Nandri | Thank you |
2. The "Respect" Dynamic
One of the most important aspects of Tamil culture is hierarchy. Unlike English, which uses "You" for everyone, Tamil splits this into two categories.
The Two "You"s (நீ vs நீங்கள்)
-
Nee (நீ): The singular/informal "You."
Use with: Your close friend Karthik (கார்த்திக்), your younger sister Priya (பிரியா), or a child. -
Neengal (நீங்கள்): The plural/formal
"You."
Use with: A stranger, your boss Mr. Kumar (திரு. குமார்), or an elderly shopkeeper.
Teacher's Tip: When in doubt, always use Neengal (நீங்கள்). It is never offensive to be too polite, but it can be rude to be too casual!
He, She, and They
The same rule applies when talking about people.
| Pronoun | Tamil | Transliteration | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| He | அவன் | Avan | Informal (Friend/Brother) |
| She | அவள் | Aval | Informal (Friend/Sister) |
| He/She | அவர் | Avar | Formal (Respectful for both genders) |
| They | அவர்கள் | Avargal | Plural or Formal group |
3. Spoken vs. Written: The Verb "Iru" (இரு)
This is where many learners get stuck. The Tamil you read (Standard) often sounds different on the street (Colloquial).
In Tamil, the verb conjugation changes based on who is speaking. Here is how the verb Iru (இரு - to be) transforms.
| Subject | Standard (Written) | Colloquial (Spoken) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| I (நான்) | Irukkiren (இருக்கிறேன்) | Irukken (இருக்கேன்) | I am |
| You (நீ) | Irukkiraai (இருக்கிறாய்) | Irukka (இருக்க) | You are (Informal) |
| You (நீங்கள்) | Irukkireergal (இருக்கிறீர்கள்) | Irukkeenga (இருக்கீங்க) | You are (Formal) |
| He (அவன்) | Irukkiraan (இருக்கிறான்) | Irukkaan (இருக்கான்) | He is |
| She (அவள்) | Irukkiraal (இருக்கிறாள்) | Irukkaa(l) (இருக்கா) | She is |
| It (அது) | Irukkirathu (இருக்கிறது) | Irukku (இருக்கு) | It is |
Note: In spoken Tamil, the middle "kir" often disappears. Irukkirathu (இருக்கிறது) becomes a short, punchy Irukku (இருக்கு).
4. Sentence Structure Rules
Rule #1: No Articles
Tamil does not have "A," "An," or "The."
- English: "A Teacher" or "The Teacher."
- Tamil: Just Aasiriyar (ஆசிரியர்).
Rule #2: The "Zero" Verb
When stating identity, you often don't need the verb "is" or "am."
- English: I am Anitha.
- Tamil: Naan Anitha (நான் அனிதா).
- English: This is a temple.
- Tamil: Idhu Kovil (இது கோவில்).
Rule #3: The Question Marker "Aa" (ஆ)
To turn a statement into a question, usually, you just add the sound "aa" (ஆ) to the end of the last word.
- Statement: Chennai (சென்னை) -> It is Chennai.
- Question: Chennai-yaa? (சென்னையா?) -> Is it Chennai?
- Statement: Kaapi (காபி) -> It is coffee.
- Question: Kaapi-yaa? (காபியா?) -> Is it coffee?
5. Dialogue: At the Coffee Shop
Context: Ordering a drink respectfully.
Customer: வணக்கம். காபி இருக்கா?
Vaṇakkam. Kaapi irukkaa?
(Hello. Is there coffee?)
Shopkeeper: இருக்கு. உங்களுக்கு வேணுமா?
Irukku. Ungalukku venumaa?
(It is here. Do you [formal] want it?)
Customer: ஆமாம், ஒன்று கொடுங்கள்.
Amaam, ondru kodungal.
(Yes, give me one [respectful].)
Shopkeeper: இந்தாருங்கள். பத்து ரூபாய்.
Indhaarungal. Pathu roobai.
(Here you go. Ten rupees.)
6. Vocabulary
New words used in this lesson:
| Tamil | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| கோவில் | Kovil | Temple |
| ஆசிரியர் | Aasiriyar | Teacher |
| மருத்துவர் | Maruthuvar | Doctor |
| வீடு | Veedu | House/Home |
| ஆமாம் | Amaam | Yes |
| இல்லை | Illai | No |
| ஒன்று | Ondru | One |
| கொடுங்கள் | Kodungal | Give (Formal) |
Practice Exercise
Try to translate these into Tamil using the concepts above:
- Is this a temple?
- I am a teacher.
- Where is the house?
- Give me one coffee.