Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| எனக்கு தெரியும் | eṉakku teriyum | /ɛnɐkːɯ t̪ɛɾɪjʊm/ |
| நான் அறிவேன் | nāṉ aṟivēṉ |
This phrase is an assertion that the speaker has an answer or an idea.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase எனக்கு தெரியும் (eṉakku teriyum) literally translates to "to me (it) is known", utilizing a dative construction that is common in Tamil for expressing possession or knowledge.
Which one should you use?
Use எனக்கு தெரியும் to express that you know facts, information or skills. In contrast, நான் அறிவேன் is a much more formal version often used in literary or poetic contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
எனக்குத் தெரியும் is the standard way to say "I know" in everyday spoken Tamil. For a formal, high-register version typically found in news, formal speeches or literature, use நான் அறிவேன். Additionally, நான் அறிந்திருக்கின்றேன் is a formal way to say "I know".
How does it change in a sentence?
In written Tamil, a sandhi rule often adds a த் (th) between the pronoun and the verb, resulting in the form எனக்குத் தெரியும்.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is eṉakku teriyum and the IPA is /ɛnɐkːɯ t̪ɛɾɪjʊm/.
Did you know?
- Although நான் means 'I' in this phrase, the same spelling is used for a borrowed word meaning 'bread'.
- While எனக்கு தெரியும் is the standard way to say 'I know', the word தெரியும் can also mean 'to be visible' or 'to appear'.
- The pronoun நான் is part of a complex system of 'suppletion', where the word changes entirely depending on its grammatical role, much like 'am' and 'was' in English.
Examples in context
- எப்படி பனியில் சறுக்கி விளையாடுவது என்பது எனக்கு தெரியும்I know how to ski.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say "I know" using the form எனக்கு தெரியும்.Tatoeba #4157490 by Singaravelu, translation #1159704 by CK
- நான் அறிந்திருக்கின்றேன்I know.
- அவர் எங்கே இருக்கிறார் என்பது எனக்கு தெரியும்.avar engē irukkirār enpathu enakku theriyum.I know where he is.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஇந்த படம் எப்போது வெளியாகிறது?Indha padam eppōdhu veliyāgiradhu?When is this movie being released?
- அனிதா Anitaஎனக்கு தெரியும், அடுத்த வாரம் வரும்.Enakku theriyum, adutha vāram varum.I know, it will come next week.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshநிச்சயமாகவா?Nichayamāgavā?Are you sure?
- அனிதா Anitaஆம், நான் விளம்பரத்தைப் பார்த்தேன்.Ām, nāṉ viḷambarathai pārtthēṉ.Yes, I saw the advertisement.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I know” translations and entries எனக்கு தெரியும், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries எனக்கு, நான், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
