எனக்கு வேண்டும்
enakku vendum
The English phrase "I want" is expressed in Tamil as எனக்கு வேண்டும் (enakku vendum).
This phrase is used to express a desire to have or obtain something. The verb வேண்டும் serves both for "want" and "need" in a general sense.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "to me [it is] needed". The word எனக்கு means "to me" and வேண்டும் means "is needed/wanted".
Which one should you use?
To express the desire to perform an action, such as "I want to [verb]", you use the infinitive form of the verb followed by வேண்டும். For example, எனக்கு போக வேண்டும் means "I want to go".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Tamil, the subject of the verb "want" is expressed using the dative case ("to me") rather than the nominative case ("I").
How do you pronounce it?
enakku vendum
Did you know?
- In Tamil, the concept of 'wanting' is treated as something that happens to you rather than something you do. By using the dative case எனக்கு, you are saying the object is needed by you, rather than you actively wanting the object.
- In formal written Tamil, the phrase எனக்கு வேண்டும் may be shortened or altered, but in spoken Tamil, the ending வேண்டும் is almost always softened to வேணும் (vēṇum).
- When asking someone else what they want, the word எனக்கு (to me) changes to உங்களுக்கு (to you) for respect or உனக்கு (to you) for friends, shifting the entire focus of the sentence to the recipient.
