நான்
nāṉ/nɑːn/
The English phrase 'I' is translated into Tamil as நான் (nāṉ). Wiktionary also lists யான் (yāṉ).
Meaning: personal pronoun (pron)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| நான் | nāṉ | /nɑːn/ | |
| யான் | yāṉ | /jɑːn/ | literary |
The term is used as a personal pronoun to refer to oneself.
Which one should you use?
The form நான் is the standard version used in everyday speech, while யான் is a highly formal or literary version used in classical poetry or formal prose.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes depending on its role in a sentence. When used as the direct object of a verb (meaning 'me'), the form changes from நான் to என்னை. When used in a dative sense (meaning 'to me' or 'for me'), the form changes from நான் to எனக்கு.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /nɑːn/ (nāṉ).
Did you know?
- The word நான் is a homonym in Tamil. While it means 'I' as a pronoun, it is also the word for 'bread', borrowed from Hindi and Persian.
- In Tamil culture, using நான் to refer to oneself can sometimes be seen as too direct in very formal social settings, where speakers might use a humble alternative or omit the pronoun entirely.
- Tamil is a pro-drop language, meaning the word நான் is often omitted from sentences because the verb ending already tells the listener that the subject is 'I'.
Examples in context
- நான் ஒரு வழி காட்டிI am a guide.This sentence is useful for identifying yourself as a guide using நான்.Tatoeba #4153496 by Singaravelu, translation #4153492 by Singaravelu
- நான் ஆடை அணிய வேண்டும்I have to dress up.This sentence is useful for expressing a personal necessity using நான்.Tatoeba #4157530 by Singaravelu, translation #271639 by CK
- நான் அவனை வரச் சொன்னேன்I told him to come.This sentence is useful for describing an action taken toward another person using நான்.Tatoeba #4157533 by Singaravelu, translation #260501 by adjusting
- நான் எழுதுகின்றேன்.I am writing.
- நான் வந்தேன்.I came.
- நான் பார்க்கிறேன்.I'm watching.
- நானும் படிக்கிறேன்.I am also reading.
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kavitha and Vijay are talking about their lunch plans.
- கவிதா Kavithaநான் பசியாக இருக்கிறேன்.Nān pasiyāga irukkiṟēṉ.I am hungry.
- விஜய் Vijayநம்ம இப்போது சாப்பிடலாமா?Namma ippōdu sāppiḍalāmā?Shall we eat now?
- கவிதா Kavithaஆம், நான் ஹோட்டலுக்குப் போகிறேன்.Ām, nān hōṭṭalukkup pōkiṟēṉ.Yes, I am going to the hotel.
- விஜய் Vijayசரி, நானும் வருகிறேன்.Sari, nānum varukiṟēṉ.Okay, I am coming too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “i” translations and entries நான், யான், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries நான், யான், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
