நான்
nāṉ/nɑːn/
In Tamil, the phrase for "I am" is நான் (nāṉ).
The term is used to identify yourself or to state your current condition. For example, saying நான் சிங்கப்பூரர் is used to state that one is from Singapore.
How does it change in a sentence?
In many simple sentences regarding identity or state of being, the verb "to be" is frequently omitted, leaving only the pronoun நான் (I). In more formal or explicit contexts, you can express "I am" more fully by adding the verb இருக்கிறேன் (irukkiṟēṉ) at the end of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
nāṉ (/nɑːn/)
Did you know?
- The way a speaker says 'we' in Tamil changes based on whether the listener is included in the group or excluded from it.
- Tamil exhibits a linguistic phenomenon called suppletion, where the skewed or 'oblique' forms of நான் are actually derived from the older word யான்.
- The word நான் is one of the most ancient surviving forms of its kind, tracing its lineage back to Proto-South Dravidian.
Examples in context
- நான் ஒரு வழி காட்டிI am a guide.This sentence shows how to identify yourself using நான்.Tatoeba #4153496 by Singaravelu, translation #4153492 by Singaravelu
- நான் ஒரு வழி காட்டி இல்லைI am not a guide.This sentence shows how to use நான் to state a negative identity.Tatoeba #4159976 by Singaravelu, translation #4159974 by Singaravelu
- நான் வழி காட்டப் பட வில்லைI am not guided.This sentence shows how to use நான் to state that you are not being guided.Tatoeba #4160007 by Singaravelu, translation #4160005 by Singaravelu
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Priya and Santhosh are meeting at a coffee shop.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshநீ யார்?nī yār?Who are you?
- பிரியா Priyaநான் பிரியா.nāṉ priyā.I am Priya.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshநான் சந்தோஷ், உங்களைச் சந்தித்ததில் மகிழ்ச்சி.nāṉ santōṣ, uṅkaḷaic cantittatil makiḻcci.I am Santhosh, nice to meet you.
- பிரியா Priyaஎனக்கும் மகிழ்ச்சி.eṉakkum makiḻcci.Nice to meet you too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry நான், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries நான், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
