Which one should you use?
The default form நானும் உன்னை காதலிக்கிறேன் translates to "I also love you", placing the emphasis on the fact that "I" am also a person who loves you. In contrast, the form உன்னையும் காதலிக்கிறேன் shifts the emphasis to the person being loved, meaning "I love you too" in the sense that you are the one being loved back.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word காதலிக்கிறேன் used in the default form is a formal and standard way to express romantic love. For a more colloquial approach, especially common among modern youth, you might hear the phrase நானும் உன்ன லவ் பண்றேன், which incorporates English loanwords.
How does it change in a sentence?
By attaching the particle '-உம்' to the object 'உன்னை' (you) instead of the subject 'நான்' (I), the emphasis in the phrase உன்னையும் காதலிக்கிறேன் shifts to loving the person back.
Did you know?
- Tamil speakers often use the word உயிரே, meaning 'my life', as a powerful substitute for 'I love you' to express a deeper level of devotion.
- In traditional Tamil literature and poetry, the concept of love is categorized into அகப்பொருள், which specifically deals with the inner world of romantic longing and union.
- In Tamil culture, the word காதல் is specifically reserved for romantic love, while a different word, அன்பு, is used for the love felt toward parents, children and friends.
Examples in context
- நானும் உன்னை காதலிக்கிறேன், என் அன்பே.nānum unnai kādalikkirēn, en anbē.I love you too, my love.
- உண்மையாவே நானும் உன்னை காதலிக்கிறேன்.uṇmaiyāvē nānum unnai kādalikkirēn.I really love you too.
Example conversation
A young couple is talking on the phone.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikபிரியா, நான் உன்னை காதலிக்கிறேன்.Priyā, nāṉ unnai kādalikkirēn.Priya, I love you.
- பிரியா Priyaநானும் உன்னை காதலிக்கிறேன், கார்த்திக்.nānum unnai kādalikkirēn, Kārtik.I love you too, Karthik.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஉன்னை எனக்கு ரொம்ப பிடிக்கும்.unṉai eṉakku rompa piṭikkum.I like you very much.
- பிரியா Priyaநானும் உன்னை காதலிக்கிறேன்.nānum unnai kādalikkirēn.I love you too.
