முடி
muṭi/mʊɖiː/
In Tamil, 'can' is translated as முடி (muṭi) or தெரி.
Meaning: to be able to, to know how to (verb)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| முடி | muṭi | /mʊɖiː/ |
| தெரி | teri | /t̪ɛɾiː/ |
தெரி is specifically used when 'can' means knowing how to perform a learned skill, such as a language or a sport.
Which one should you use?
Use தெரி when 'can' refers to a learned skill or knowledge, such as speaking a language or riding a bike.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The root முடி is almost always used in its conjugated form முடியும் (muṭiyum) to express the ability to do something in the present tense. To say 'cannot' or 'unable to', use the negative form முடியாது (muṭiyātu). To say someone 'does not know how to' do something, use the negative form தெரியாது (teriyātu).
How do you pronounce it?
muṭi (/mʊɖiː/)
Did you know?
- The word முடி (muṭi) in Tamil is a homonym that also means 'hair' or 'top'.
- In spoken Tamil, the negative முடியாது (muṭiyātu) is often used as a polite but firm way to say 'no' to a request.
- The root of முடி is thought to be related to the concept of a 'knot' in some related languages, such as the Brahui language.
Examples in context
- அவனுக்கு எழுதப் படிக்கத் தெரியும்He can read and write.This sentence shows how to use the form தெரி to describe literacy skills.Tatoeba #4240347 by Singaravelu, translation #302097 by CK
- எப்பொழுது நம்மால் சாப்பிட முடியும்When can we eat?This sentence uses the form முடி to ask about the possibility of eating.Tatoeba #4267924 by Singaravelu, translation #322004 by CK
- உங்களுக்கு சைக்கிள் ஓட்டத் தெரியுமா?Can you ride a bicycle?This sentence uses the form தெரி to ask about a specific skill like riding a bicycle.Tatoeba #4268459 by Singaravelu, translation #69284 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Karthik and Anitha are discussing if they can finish a task.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஇந்த வேலையை இன்று முடிக்க முடியுமா?Indha vēlaiyai indru muḍikka muḍiyumā?Can we finish this work today?
- அனிதா Anitaநிச்சயமாக, என்னால் முடிக்க முடியும்.Nicčayamā, ennāl muḍikka muḍiyum.Certainly, I can finish it.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஉங்களுக்கு உதவி தேவையா?Uṅgaḷukku utavi tēvaiyā?Do you need help?
- அனிதா Anitaவேண்டாம், நான் முடித்துவிடுவேன்.Vēṇḍām, nāṉ muṭittuviḍuvēṉ.No thanks, I will finish it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “can” translations and entries முடி, தெரி, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries தெரி, முடி, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
