Question Words in Tamil: என்ன, யார், எங்கே and More
The main Tamil question words, how to ask yes and no questions and examples for everyday conversation.
Asking questions is the quickest way to get conversations started.
The main question words
| Tamil | Romanised | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| என்ன | enna | what |
| யார் | yaar | who |
| எங்கே | engae | where |
| எப்போது | eppodhu | when |
| ஏன் | aen | why |
| எப்படி | eppadi | how |
| எவ்வளவு | evvalavu | how much |
| எத்தனை | eththanai | how many |
| எது | edhu | which |
Examples
- இது என்ன? What is this?
- அவர் யார்? Who is he?
- நீங்கள் எங்கே இருக்கிறீர்கள்? Where are you?
- எப்போது வருவீர்கள்? When will you come?
- ஏன் தமிழ் படிக்கிறீர்கள்? Why are you learning Tamil?
- இது எவ்வளவு? How much is this?
Yes and no questions
Add -ஆ (-aa) to the end of the key word:
- நீ வருவாயா? Will you come?
- இது உங்கள் புத்தகமா? Is this your book?
- உங்களுக்குத் தமிழ் தெரியுமா? Do you know Tamil?
The -ஆ ending turns a statement into a question.
Answers
- ஆம் (aam), yes
- இல்லை (illai), no
- தெரியாது (theriyaadhu), I don't know
Word order
The question word usually appears just before the verb:
- நீ எங்கே போகிறாய்?
Tag words
You can add இல்லையா? (illaiyaa?) for "isn't it?":
- நல்லா இருக்கு, இல்லையா? It's good, isn't it?
Tips
- Learn the nine question words.
- Add -ஆ for yes/no questions.
- Use the dictionary to check meanings.
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