உனக்கு பைத்தியமா?
Unakku paithiyama?
The English phrase "are you mad?" is translated into Tamil as உனக்கு பைத்தியமா? (Unakku paithiyama?)
This question is used to ask if someone is mentally ill or behaving in an irrational way.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the question polite or formal, change the pronoun from Unakku (informal) to Ungalukku (formal).
How do you pronounce it?
Unakku paithiyama?
Did you know?
- The pronoun உனக்கு is the dative case, meaning the phrase literally asks 'To you, is there madness?' rather than 'Are you mad?'
- If you use the formal உங்களுக்கு (ungalukku) version to ask if someone is mad, it can sound incredibly sarcastic or mocking. It is rare to use such high politeness to question someone's sanity.
- The word பைத்தியம் (paithiyam) is often used in Tamil cinema to describe a 'mad love' or a single-minded obsession. It elevates the concept from mental illness to an unstoppable passion.
Example conversation
Priya and Vijay are discussing a very risky plan.
- விஜய் Vijayநமக்கு இந்த காரியம் உடனே செய்ய வேண்டும்.Namakku indha kaariyam udane seyya vendum.We need to do this thing immediately.
- பிரியா Priyaவிஜய், உனக்கு பைத்தியமா? இது ரொம்ப ஆபத்தானது!Vijay, unakku paithiyama? Idhu romba aabathaanathu!Vijay, are you mad? This is very dangerous!
- விஜய் Vijayஆபத்து இருந்தாலும் இது ஒரே வழி.Aabathu irundhaalum idhu ore vazhi.Even if it's dangerous, this is the only way.
- பிரியா Priyaநான் இதில் கலந்து கொள்ள மாட்டேன்.Naan idhil kalandhu kolla maatten.I will not take part in this.
