Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| போ | pō | /poː/ |
| செல் | cel | /tʃɛl/ |
The verb describes moving through space, typically from one place to another. You may also encounter the form போய், which acts as a connective meaning 'having gone' or 'go and…', used to link two actions together.
Which one should you use?
The form செல் is a formal or literary version of the verb, whereas போ is the standard, everyday version used in most situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While போ is the standard version, you can use the more casual Poidu among friends. For a formal or literary tone, use செல். If you need to be polite to an elder or address a group of people, use போங்கள்.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The base form போ can serve as a singular imperative or command meaning 'go'. When conjugated, the verb changes based on the subject: use போகிறேன் for the first-person present tense 'I go' and போகிறான் for the third-person masculine singular present tense 'he goes'.
How do you pronounce it?
pō
Did you know?
- In Tamil culture, telling someone போ (go) in a sharp tone can be perceived as a dismissive 'get lost' rather than a simple direction to move.
- While 'to go' is the primary meaning, the formal version செல் can also be used in Tamil to mean 'to occur' or 'to happen'.
- The root of போ is inherited from Proto-South Dravidian *pō-, making it one of the most ancient and stable words in the language.
Examples in context
- போய் யார் என்று பார்Go and see who it is.This sentence shows how to use போ to suggest an action.Tatoeba #4240339 by Singaravelu, translation #276272 by CK
- நான் இப்பொழுது போக வேண்டும்I have to go now.This sentence demonstrates using போ to express necessity.Tatoeba #4164694 by Singaravelu, translation #321700 by CK
- போய் உன் தந்தையருகில் அமரவும்Go and sit by your father.This sentence shows போ used in a command to perform a sequence of actions.Tatoeba #4240375 by Singaravelu, translation #64083 by CK
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Priya and Vijay are talking about going to the market.
- பிரியா Priyaநாம் இப்போது சந்தைக்குப் போNām ippōthu santhaikkup pōLet's go to the market now.
- விஜய் Vijayசரி, நாம் உடனே போகலாம்.Sari, nām uṭanē pōkalām.Okay, we can go immediately.
- பிரியா Priyaநீ வேகமாகப் போ.Nī vēkamāgap pō.You go quickly.
- விஜய் Vijayநான் உன்னுடன் வருகிறேன்.Nān unnudan varukiṟēn.I am coming with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “go” translations and entries போ, செல், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries செல், போ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
