Pronouns are known as பிரதிபெயர்கள் in Tamil. They can be categorised into formal (f) and informal (inf). In general, you use the formal pronouns when addressing someone in Tamil. Informal pronouns are used to address people who are younger than you and closely related to you. For example: younger siblings/cousins or close friends. When in doubt, always use formal pronouns to address people.
Subject Pronouns (Literary/Written Tamil)
நான் | I | | |
நீ | you (inf) | | |
நீங்கள் | you (f) | நாங்கள் | we |
அவள் | she (inf) | நீங்கள் | you |
அவன் | he (inf) | அவர்கள் | they |
அவர் | he/she (f) | | |
அது | it | | |
Subject Pronouns (Spoken Tamil)
நான் | I | | |
நீ | you (inf) | | |
நீங்கள் | you (f) | நாங்கள் | we |
அவள் | she (inf) | நீங்கள் | you |
அவா | she (f) | அவை | they |
அவன் | he (inf) | | |
அவர் | he (f) | | |
அது | it | | |
In Tamil, the use of the pronoun "they"differs based on who or what is being addressed.
The table below shows the difference in written vs spoken Tamil. Make sure to use அவை and not அதுகள் when speaking about your family!
Written | Spoken | |
அவர்கள் | அவை | They used to address people/gods |
அவை | அதுகள் | They used to address animals |
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