What is a Pronoun?
A pronoun (பிரதிப்பெயர்ச்சொல்) is a word that is used instead of a noun or noun phrase to avoid repetition. For instance, instead of saying "Kannan is a good student. Kannan studies well," you can say "Kannan is a good student. He studies well." In Tamil, pronouns change based on the person (first, second, third), number (singular, plural), and also the level of respect or formality.
Types of Pronouns:
First Person (தன்மை) - The Speaker
நான் (Nāṉ): I
நாங்கள் (Nāṅkaḷ): We (exclusive - does not include the listener)
நாம் (Nām): We (inclusive - includes the listener)
Example: நாங்கள் விளையாடுகிறோம். (We are playing.) vs. நாம் விளையாடுவோம். (Let's play / We will play.)
Second Person (முன்னிலை) - The Listener
நீ (Nī): You (singular, informal - used with friends, family, younger people)
நீங்கள் (Nīṅkaḷ): You (plural or singular formal - used for elders, strangers, or in formal settings)
Example: நீ எங்கே போகிறாய்? (Where are you going?) vs. நீங்கள் எங்கே போகிறீர்கள்? (Where are you going? - formal)
Third Person (படர்க்கை) - Others
அவன் (Avan): He (one male)
அவள் (Avaḷ): She (one female)
அது (Atu): It (one non-human/object)
அவர் (Avar): He/She (one person, formal/respectful)
அவர்கள் (Avarkaḷ): They (multiple humans)
அவை (Avai): They (multiple non-humans/objects)
Example: அவன் படிக்கிறான். (He is reading.) vs. அவர் படிக்கிறார். (He is reading. - respectful)