குடி
kuṭi/kʊɖiː/
The English verb 'drink' is குடி (kuṭi) in Tamil.
குடி means to consume liquid through the mouth. You can use the related form குடிநீர் to specifically refer to 'drinking water'. Additionally, the informal term குடிப்பான் is used to describe a person who habitually drinks alcohol.
Meaning: consume liquid through the mouth (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The root form குடி can be used as a direct imperative to command someone to 'drink'. In the third-person plural present tense, the form changes to குடிக்கிறார்கள் to express 'they drink'. For the third-person singular past tense, the form குடித்தான் is used to mean 'he drank'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kʊɖiː/ (kuṭi).
Did you know?
- Linguists believe குடி may be related to the Proto-Uralic word *kota, connecting the Dravidian languages of India to languages spoken in Northern Eurasia.
- The word குடி can also mean 'settlement' or 'migration' in different contexts, reflecting the ancient practice of establishing a home near a water source.
Examples in context
- அவர்கள் அதிகளவு நீரை குடிக்கிறார்கள்.They drink lots of water.This sentence shows how to say 'they drink' using the form குடி.Tatoeba #13012291 by niroshan, translation #13011404 by menaud
- குடித்துவிட்டு வண்டி ஓட்டாதேDon't drink and drive.This sentence uses the form குடி in a warning against drinking and driving.Tatoeba #4240346 by Singaravelu, translation #453605 by CM
- வேகமாகத் தண்ணீர் குடி.vēkamākat taṇṇīr kuṭi.Drink the water quickly.
Example conversation
Kavitha and Karthik are at a cafe.
- கவிதா Kavithaகார்த்திக், காபி குடி.Karthik, coffee kudi.Karthik, drink the coffee.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஇது மிகவும் சூடாக இருக்கிறது.Idhu migavum soodaga irukkiradhu.It is very hot.
- கவிதா Kavithaகொஞ்சம் பொறுமையாக குடி.Konjam porumaiyaaga kudi.Drink it slowly.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikசரி கவிதா, குடிக்கிறேன்.Sari Kavitha, kudikkiren.Okay Kavitha, I am drinking it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “drink” translations and entries குடி, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries குடி, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
