உங்களுக்கு புரிகிறதா?
ungalukku purigiradha?
In Tamil, the phrase for 'do you understand?' is உங்களுக்கு புரிகிறதா? (ungalukku purigiradha?)
This phrase is used to ask if someone comprehends the information being shared.
What does it mean word for word?
The literal translation of உங்களுக்கு புரிகிறதா? is 'To you, is it being understood?'
Which one should you use?
The informal version uses உனக்கு (unakku) instead of the polite உங்களுக்கு (ungalukku). In casual conversation, speakers often drop the உங்களுக்கு (ungalukku) and simply ask புரிகிறதா? (purigiradha?).
How do you pronounce it?
ungalukku purigiradha?
Did you know?
- In many Tamil-speaking households, using the formal உங்களுக்கு (ungalukku) with children or very close friends can actually sound sarcastic or distancing rather than just polite.
- While புரிகிறதா? (purigiradha?) asks about intellectual comprehension, Tamil speakers use தெரிகிறதா? (therigiradha?) to ask if someone 'knows' a fact or 'perceives' something with their senses.
- When asking 'do you understand?' in a professional setting, Tamil speakers might avoid the direct question altogether and instead use a phrase that asks if the information was 'received' or 'is it clear', to avoid sounding patronizing.
Examples in context
- இந்தத் திட்டம் உங்களுக்கு புரிகிறதா?indhat thittam ungalukku purigiradhā?Do you understand this plan?
- எனது விளக்கம் உங்களுக்கு புரிகிறதா?enadhu vilakkam ungalukku purigiradhā?Do you understand my explanation?
Example conversation
A teacher is explaining a lesson to a student in a classroom.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஇந்தக் கணக்கு உங்களுக்கு புரிகிறதா?indhak kanakku ungalukku purigiradhā?Do you understand this math problem?
- திவ்யா Divyaஆம், எனக்குப் புரிகிறது.ām, enakkup purigiradhu.Yes, I understand.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshமிகவும் நல்லது.migavum nalladhu.Very good.
- திவ்யா Divyaநன்றி.nandri.Thank you.
