எனக்கு பசிக்கிறது
Enakku pasikkiradhu
To say "I am hungry" in Tamil, you use எனக்கு பசிக்கிறது (Enakku pasikkiradhu).
This phrase is used to express a physical need or desire for food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "to me hunger is happening".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal writing or speech, use எனக்கு பசிக்கிறது. In spoken or colloquial Tamil, the verb is often shortened to எனக்கு பசிக்குது.
How does it change in a sentence?
Instead of using the nominative "I" (நான்), this phrase uses the dative case எனக்கு (Enakku), which means "to me". The core verb meaning "to be hungry" or "is hungering" is பசிக்கிறது.
How do you pronounce it?
Enakku pasikkiradhu
Did you know?
- In many Tamil households, it is culturally common to ask பசிக்குதா? ('Are you hungry?') as a general greeting or a way to show care, regardless of the time of day.
- While பசி means 'hunger', it is also the root for words describing longing or craving. In a poetic or emotional context, the same root can be used to express a deep spiritual hunger or yearning for someone.
- In Tamil, hunger is treated as an external force that 'happens' to you rather than a feeling you possess. This is why the phrase uses the dative 'to me' rather than the subject 'I'.
Example conversation
Vijay and Divya are talking at home.
- விஜய் Vijayதிவ்யா, எனக்கு பசிக்கிறது.Divya, enakku pasikkiradhu.Divya, I am hungry.
- திவ்யா Divyaசரி விஜய், நான் உணவு தயார் செய்கிறேன்.Sari Vijay, naan unavu thayaar seigiren.Okay Vijay, I will prepare the food.
- விஜய் Vijayஉணவு எப்போது கிடைக்கும்?Unavu eppodhu kidaikkum?When will the food be ready?
- திவ்யா Divyaபத்து நிமிடங்களில் தயாராகிவிடும்.Pathu nimidangalil thayaaragividum.It will be ready in ten minutes.
