எனக்கு போன் செய்
enakku pōṉ sey
The English phrase 'call me' can be translated into Tamil as எனக்கு போன் செய் (enakku pōṉ sey).
This phrase is used to request that someone contact you via telephone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase எனக்கு போன் செய் literally translates to 'to me phone do'.
Which one should you use?
You may also hear the colloquial version எனக்கு கால் பண்ணு, which incorporates the English word 'call' transliterated into Tamil.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the request polite or to address someone in a higher position, change the verb ending from sey to seyyuṅkaḷ, resulting in the form எனக்கு போன் செய்யுங்கள்.
How do you pronounce it?
enakku pōṉ sey
Did you know?
- In very traditional or literary Tamil, the concept of a 'phone call' might be expressed as தொலைபேசி அழைப்பு, which translates to 'distant-voice summons'.
- The word செய் is inherited from the ancient Proto-Dravidian root *key, linking it to languages as distant as Brahui, spoken in Pakistan.
- Tamil uses a 'dative' case for the word எனக்கு ('to me'), meaning you aren't asking someone to call 'you', but rather to 'do a phone to you'.
Examples in context
- வீட்டிற்கு வந்ததும் எனக்கு போன் செய்.vittirku vandhadhum enakku phone sei.Call me once you get home.
- வேலை முடிந்தவுடன் எனக்கு போன் செய்.velai mudindhavudan enakku phone sei.Call me once your work is finished.
Example conversation
Arun and Priya are ending a quick meeting.
- பிரியா Priyaநான் இப்போது கிளம்ப வேண்டும்.Nāṉ ippōtu kiḷamba vēṇṭum.I have to leave now.
- அருண் Arunசரி, வீட்டிற்குப் போய் எனக்கு போன் செய்.Sari, vīṭṭiṟkup pōy enakku phōn sey.Okay, go home and call me.
- பிரியா Priyaநிச்சயமாக அழைக்கிறேன்.Niccayamāka aḻaikkiṟēṉ.I will definitely call.
- அருண் Arunமிக்க நன்றி, பிரியா.Mikka naṉṟi, Priyā.Thanks a lot, Priya.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries எனக்கு, செய், CC BY-SA 4.0.
