என்ன
eṉṉa/ɛnːɐ/
என்ன (eṉṉa) (enna) is the Tamil word for "what".
என்ன is primarily used as a question word to ask what something is. However, it can also function as an exclamation to express surprise or shock, much like saying "What?!" in English.
Which one should you use?
While என்ன is the standard form, you may encounter versions with suffixes to change the tone or target. என்னடா (ennada) is used when addressing a male friend, and என்னடி (ennadi) is used when addressing a female friend.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The forms என்னடா and என்னடி are highly colloquial and informal.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɛnːɐ/.
Did you know?
- The informal versions என்னடா (ennada) and என்னடி (ennadi) carry a specific gendered weight that can transform a simple question into a sign of deep intimacy or, if used with a stranger, a grave social insult.
- The core of the word, the particle 'e-' (எ-), is one of the most ancient building blocks in the Dravidian language family, used to construct various interrogative forms.
- In colloquial Tamil, என்ன is frequently used as a filler word or a conversational 'bridge' to keep a sentence flowing, similar to how 'like' or 'you know' is used in English.
Examples in context
- என்ன?What?
- இது என்ன?ithu enna?What is this?
- உன் பெயர் என்ன?un peyar enna?What is your name?
- அங்கே என்ன நடக்கிறது?angge enna nadakkirathu?What is happening there?
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting and chatting.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshகவிதா, என்ன செய்தி?Kavitha, enna seidhi?Kavitha, what's the news?
- கவிதா Kavithaபெரிய செய்தி எதுவும் இல்லை, சந்தோஷ்.Periya seidhi edhuvum illai, Santhosh.There is no big news, Santhosh.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஉன் கையில் இருப்பது என்ன?Un kaiyil iruppadhu enna?What is that in your hand?
- கவிதா Kavithaஇது ஒரு புதிய புத்தகம்.Idhu oru pudhiya puthagam.This is a new book.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry என்ன, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries என்ன, CC BY-SA 4.0.
