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LESSON 2 – INTRODUCING YOURSELF
Paadam 2 – Ungalai Neengale Arimugappaduththik Kolludhal
பாடம் 2 – உங்களை நீங்களே அறிமுகப்படுத்திக் கொள்ளுதல்
Some Instructions for Students of ILearnTamil.com
- As in many foreign languages, in Tamil too, there are letters which have sounds that are not available in the English language. One of them is – ழ – which is often denoted by “Zh”. It is pronounced like the letter “L” but with the rolling of the tongue. For example, the word “Tamil” is transliterated as Thamizh (starting with a “Th” sound and ending with a tonguIrolling of the letter “L”). Mind you, there are 2 other letters in Tamil – ல and ள – which are pronounced very much like the normal “L” in English.
- Another letter you are likely to come across is – ஞ – which is often denoted by “Gn” and pronounced more like “nj”. For example, this letter is used in Aaranju, which is the Tamil translation of the word “Orange” and sounds similar too. The “nj” part of Aaranju is what you will need when you see words beginning with “Gn”. It may be difficult initially, but with some practice, you will surely master it!
- Spoken Tamil is often different from Formal/ Written Tamil, and in order to differentiate the two, we have used the blue color to indicate Spoken Tamil Transliteration (Tamil words written using the English alphabet) and Spoken Tamil Script.
- Throughout the lesson plan, the following sequencing has been used:Word/ Phrase/ Sentence in English
- a.Word/ Phrase/ Sentence in English
- b.Spoken Tamil Transliteration in English
- c.Spoken Tamil Script
- d.Formal Tamil Transliteration in English
- e.Formal Tamil Script
1. THIS, THAT & WHAT
Idhu, Adhu & Enna
இது, அது & என்ன
![]() | What is this? Idhu enna? இது என்ன? | This is a pen. Idhu oru paenaa. இது ஒரு பேனா. |
![]() | What is this? Idhu enna? இது என்ன? | This is a book. Idhu oru book. இது ஒரு புக். Idhu oru puththagam. இது ஒரு புத்தகம். |
![]() | What is this? Idhu enna? இது என்ன? | This is a kite. Idhu oru pattam. இது ஒரு பட்டம். |
THAT – Adhu – அது
![]() | What is that? Adhu enna? அது என்ன? | That is a house. Adhu oru veedu. அது ஒரு வீடு. |
![]() | What is that? Adhu enna? அது என்ன? | That is a tree. Adhu oru maram. அது ஒரு மரம். |
![]() | What is that? Adhu enna? அது என்ன? | That is an elephant. Adhu oru yaanai. அது ஒரு யானை. |
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Ninaivil Kolga
நினைவில் கொள்க
This, It | Idhu | இது |
That | Adhu | அது |
What | Enna | என்ன |
A / An / One | Oru | ஒரு |
Pen | Paenaa | பேனா |
Book | Puththagam | புத்தகம் |
Kite | Pattam | பட்டம் |
House | Veedu | வீடு |
Tree | Maram | மரம் |
Elephant | Yaanai | யானை |
HELPFUL HINTS
Uthavum Kurippu
உதவும் குறிப்பு
When learning a new language, it is helpful to know some rules or handy ways to remember new words. One way to help remember these and other words you will learn in the coming classes is that if a word is referring to something that is Here the corresponding Tamil word starts with the letter I.
If the word is referring to something that is There or away from you, it starts with the letter A and if it is a Question it starts with the letter E.
For example, the Tamil words for This and Here start with the letter I (Idhu, Inga). The Tamil words for That and There start with the letter A (Adhu, Anga) and the Tamil words for What and Where start with the letter E (Enna, Enga)
QUESTIONS: HOW TO ASK – IS THIS / THAT?
Kaelvigal: Idhu / Adhu – Kaelviyaaga Kaetpadhu Eppadi?
கேள்விகள்: இது / அது – கேள்வியாக கேட்பது எப்படி?
To ask a question in Tamil, we add an ‘ah’ sound at the end of an object, denoted by aa.
For example: Idhu pattam இது பட்டம் means It is a kite, but to make it a question you ask Idhu pattamaa? இது பட்டமா? which means Is it a kite?
Adding the suffix aa to an object turns the statement into a question. You should always keep in mind that this suffix should not sound as a separate syllable – it should become one with the word. For example, pattam+aa = pattamaa (It should sound like pattamaa and not like pattam and an ‘ah’ sound after a pause).
When we have questions like – Is this a pen? or Is that a kite?, the answer is usually a Yes or No. Let us now learn to say Yes and No in Tamil.
Yes Aamaam ஆமாம் Aam ஆம் | No Illa இல்ல Illai இல்லை |
Examples:
Is this (it) a kite? Idhu oru pattamaa? இது ஒரு பட்டமா? | Yes, this (it) is a kite. Aamaam, idhu oru pattam. Aam, idhu oru pattam. | ![]() |
Is that a book? Adhu oru book-aa? அது ஒரு புக்கா? Adhu oru puththagamaa? அது ஒரு புத்தகமா? | No, that is a pen. Illa, adhu oru paenaa. இல்ல, அது ஒரு பேனா. Illai, adhu oru paenaa. இல்லை, அது ஒரு பேனா. | ![]() |
Is this (it) an elephant? Idhu oru yaanaiyaa? இது ஒரு யானையா? | No, this (it) is a tree. Illa, idhu oru maram. இல்ல, இது ஒரு மரம். Illai, idhu oru maram. இல்லை, இது ஒரு மரம். | ![]() |
3. PARTS OF THE BODY
Udal Uruppugal
உடல் உறுப்புகள்
Hair | Mudi | முடி | Koondhal | கூந்தல் |
Eye | Kann | கண் | Kann | கண் |
Nose | Mookku | மூக்கு | Mookku | மூக்கு |
Ear | Kaadhu | காது | Kaadhu | காது |
Mouth | Vaai | வாய் | Vaai | வாய் |
Neck | Kazhuththu | கழுத்து | Kazhuththu | கழுத்து |
Hand | Kai | கை | Kai | கை |
Chest | Nenju | நெஞ்சு | Maarbu | மார்பு |
Stomach | Vayiru | வயிறு | Vayiru | வயிறு |
Leg | Kaalu | காலு | Kaal | கால் |
Foot | Paadham | பாதம் | Paadham | பாதம் |
Fingers | Viralgal | விரல்கள் | Viralgal | விரல்கள் |
See if you can answer the following questions:
Pinvarum padangalaip paarththu bathil solluga:
பின்வரும் படங்களைப் பார்த்து பதில் சொல்லுக:
1. | Idhu enna? இது என்ன? | Answer:
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2. | Adhu paenaavaa? அது பேனாவா? | Answer:
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3. | Adhu enna? அது என்ன? | Answer:
| ![]() |
4. | Idhu veedaa? இது வீடா? | Answer:
| ![]() |
5. | Idhu enna? இது என்ன? | Answer:
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6 | Adhu enna? அது என்ன? | Answer:
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7 | Idhu kaadhaa? இது காதா? | Answer:
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4.CONVERSATION: INTRODUCING YOURSELF
Uraiyaadal: Ungalai Neengale Arimugappaduththik Kollungal
உரையாடல்: உங்களை நீங்களே அறிமுகப்படுத்திக் கொள்ளுங்கள்
Today you will learn how to introduce yourself in Tamil. The key words to know are:
I | Naan | நான் | Naan | நான் |
Enakku | எனக்கு | Enakku | எனக்கு | |
MY | En | என் | En | என் |
Ennoda | என்னோட | Enadhu | எனது | |
Ennudaiya | என்னுடைய | |||
ME | Ennai | என்னை | Ennai | என்னை |
Ennodu** En-kooda** En-kitta** | என்னோடு என்-கூட என்-கிட்ட | Ennodu** Enn-udan** Enn-idam** | என்னோடு என்னுடன் என்னிடம்… | |
MINE | Ennodadhu | என்னோடது | Ennudaiyadhu | என்னுடையது |
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Ninaivil Kolga
நினைவில் கொள்க
Just as the words – I, Me, My and Mine refer to one’s self, but depend on the context in which they are used, in the same way, even in Tamil, the words Naan, En, Enakku, Enadhu and Ennudaiya depend on the context in which they are used.
For example, we use Enakku when we make statements such as ‘I like’, ‘I know’ and ‘I want’; whereas we use the word Naan also to talk about ourselves, but in statements beginning with ‘I am’ as in ‘I am a student’, ‘I am tired’ etc.
Now let’s learn some basic sentences to introduce ourselves:
1. | My name is _____________. En /Ennoda paeru ____________. என் / என்னோட பேரு ____________. Ennudaiya peyar ____________. என்னுடைய பெயர் _____________. | (Fill the blank with your name) |
2. | I am studying in _____________ standard Naan ______________ vaguppu padikkuraen. நான் ______________ வகுப்பு படிக்குறேன். Naan ______________ vaguppil padikkiraen. நான் ______________ வகுப்பில் படிக்கிறேன். | (The class you are studying – 8th, 9th or 10th) |
3. | The name of my school is __________________. En / Ennoda school paeru __________________. என் / என்னோட ஸ்கூல் பேரு __________________. Enadhu palliyin peyar __________________. எனது பள்ளியின் பெயர் __________________. | (Your School) |
4. | I am working in __________________. Naan __________________ -la vaela seyyuraen. நான் __________________ -ல வேல செய்யுறேன். Naan __________________ -il vaelai seygiraen. நான் __________________ -இல் வேலை செய்கிறேன். | (The name of your Organization) |
5 | My father’s name is __________________. En / Ennoda appaavin paeru __________________. என் / என்னோட அப்பாவின் பேரு __________________. Ennudaiya appaavin peyar __________________. என்னுடைய அப்பாவின் பெயர் __________________. You can use appaavin paeru / appaa paeru – both are interchangeable. Adding -vin at the end is the same as adding ‘s at the end of a word in English for possessive nouns to denote ownership, like John’s house, book’s author etc. In the above example, we add -vin after the word appaa to refer to Father’s name – it belongs to him, as opposed to saying My father is – which is about him. | (Dad’s Name) |
6 | My father is a __________________. En / Ennoda appaa oru __________________. என் / என்னோட அப்பா ஒரு __________________. Ennudaiya appa oru __________________. என்னுடைய அப்பா ஒரு __________________. | Dad’s Occupation – doctor, electrician, engineer etc.) |
7 | My mother’s name is __________________. En / Ennoda ammaavin paeru __________________. என் / என்னோட அம்மாவின் பேரு __________________. Ennudaiya ammaavin peyar __________________. என்னுடைய அம்மாவின் பெயர் __________________. Remember to add -vin after the word Ammaa as it is about your mother. | (Mom’s Name) |
8 | My mother is a __________________. En / Ennoda ammaa oru __________________. என் / என்னோட அம்மா ஒரு __________________. Ennudaiya ammaa oru __________________. என்னுடைய அம்மா ஒரு __________________. | Mom’s Occupation – teacher, doctor, home-maker etc.) |
9 | I live in __________________. Naan __________________ -la vaazhuraen / vasikkuraen. நான் __________________ -ல வாழுறேன் / வசிக்குறேன். Naan __________________ -il vaazhgiraen / vasikkiraen. நான் __________________ -இல் வாழ்கிறேன் / வசிக்கிறேன். The word vasikkiraen is used when you talk about the town or the locality where you live. You say vaazhgiraen, when you refer to the country or the continent you are from. For example, if you say I am from Washington, you use vasikkiraen and if you are telling someone that you are from America, you use vaazhgiraen. In both cases you add -la at the end of the town, locality, country or continent you are referring to, as this indicates that you are referring to a place. For example, Washington becomes Washington-la and America becomes America-la. | (Place where you live) |
10 | I like __________________ very much. Enakku __________________ romba pudikkum. எனக்கு __________________ ரொம்ப புடிக்கும். Enakku __________________ migavum pidikkum. எனக்கு __________________ மிகவும் பிடிக்கும் | (Example pizza, cakes, fruit etc.) |
11 | I do not like __________________. Enakku __________________pudikkaadhu. எனக்கு __________________ புடிக்காது. Enakku __________________ pidikkaadhu. எனக்கு __________________ பிடிக்காது. | (Aunt Jenny, vegetables, earthquakes etc.) |
5. NEW WORDS
Pudhu Vaarththaigal
புது வார்த்தைகள்
Learn the following words to help build your vocabulary:
Name | Paeru | பேரு | Peyar | பெயர் |
Studying | Padikkuraen | படிக்குறேன் | Padikkiraen | படிக்கிறேன் |
Working | Vaela seyyuraen | வேல செய்யுறேன் | Vaelai seygiraen | வேலை செய்கிறேன் |
Residing | Vasikkuraen | வசிக்குறேன் | Vasikkiraen | வசிக்கிறேன் |
Living | Vaazhuraen | வாழுறேன் | Vaazhgiraen | வாழ்கிறேன் |
Very much | Romba | ரொம்ப | Mikka | மிக்க |
Migavum | மிகவும் | |||
Like | Pudikkum | புடிக்கும் | Pidikkum | பிடிக்கும் |
Do not like / Dislike | Pudikkaadhu | புடிக்காது | Pidikkaadhu | பிடிக்காது |
6. EXERCISES
Payirchigal
பயிற்சிகள்
I. Answer the following questions in Tamil – say Yes / No:
Pinvarum kaelvigalukku Aamaam / Illa endru bathil solluga:
பின்வரும் கேள்விகளுக்கு ஆமாம் / இல்லை என்று பதில் சொல்லுக:
![]() | Idhu kannaa? | Aamaam / Illa _____________ |
![]() | Idhu kaalaa? | Aamaam / Illa _____________ |
![]() | Idhu kaadhaa? | Aamaam / Illa _____________ |
![]() | Idhu kaiyaa? | Aamaam / Illa _____________ |
![]() | Idhu kaalaa? | Aamaam / Illa _____________ |
![]() | Idhu vaayaa? | Aamaam / Illa _____________ |
![]() | Idhu paadhamaa? | Aamaam / Illa _____________ |
II. Fill in the blanks and translate these into Tamil:
Koditta idaththai nirappi, muzhu thodaraiyum Thamizhil mozhi peyarththu ezhudhuga solluga:
கோடிட்ட இடத்தை நிரப்பி, முழு தொடரையும் தமிழில் மொழி பெயர்த்து எழுதுக சொல்லுக:
Example – Udhaaranam – உதாரணம்:
I am studying Thamizh.
Naan Thamizh padikkiraen.
1. | My name is __________________. _____________________________________________________________________ |
2. | I am living in __________________. _____________________________________________________________________ |
3. | Seventy five _____________________________________________________________________ |
4. | My father’s name is __________________. _____________________________________________________________________ |
5. | I like __________________ very much _____________________________________________________________________ |
6. | Hundred _____________________________________________________________________ |
7. | I am working in __________________. _____________________________________________________________________ |
8. | My mother’s name is __________________. _____________________________________________________________________ |
9. | Eighty _____________________________________________________________________ |
10. | My father is a __________________. _____________________________________________________________________ |
11. | My school’s name is __________________. _____________________________________________________________________ |
12. | My mother is a __________________. _____________________________________________________________________ |
13. | I don’t like __________________. _____________________________________________________________________ |
14. | Ten _____________________________________________________________________ |
15. | Twenty-five _____________________________________________________________________ |
16. | Stomach _____________________________________________________________________ |
17. | Thirty-eight _____________________________________________________________________ |
18. | Forty-six _____________________________________________________________________
|
19. | Leg ____________________________________________________________________ |
20. | Fifty-nine _____________________________________________________________________ |
21. | Hair _____________________________________________________________________ |
22. | Nose _____________________________________________________________________ |
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I am learning tamil language.
I love Tamil
Good
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Nice
I know tamil to speak well..I to read slowly but I can’t read it fastly .so pls help me how can improve my reading
Very easy to Understand