என்ன பண்ற?
enna panra?
The English phrase "what are you doing?" is translated into Tamil as என்ன பண்ற? (enna panra?)
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about their current activity or what they are doing at the moment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase என்ன பண்ற? is composed of enna (what) and panra (doing/doing [you]).
Which one should you use?
The colloquial form என்ன பண்ற? is used for asking what someone is doing in informal settings, whereas என்ன பண்றீங்க? serves as a polite alternative.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
என்ன பண்ற? is the informal way to ask the question and is used with friends, peers or younger people. For a polite approach when speaking to elders, strangers or in formal settings, use என்ன பண்றீங்க? instead. In professional settings or when interacting with seniors and elders, the formal phrase நீங்கள் என்ன செய்கிறீர்கள்? should be used.
How do you pronounce it?
enna panra?
Did you know?
- In some contexts, என்ன பண்ற? acts as a greeting similar to 'How are you?' or 'What is up?' rather than a literal inquiry into someone's current activity.
- If you use the formal நீங்கள் என்ன செய்கிறீர்கள்? in a casual setting with close friends, it can sound sarcastic or even mockingly grand, as if you are treating them like a king.
- The pronoun 'you' is completely omitted in the colloquial phrase என்ன பண்ற?, as the verb ending itself indicates who is being addressed.
Examples in context
- நீ என்ன பண்ற?nī enna paṇṟa?What are you doing?
- வீட்ல என்ன பண்ற?vīṭṭla enna paṇṟa?What are you doing at home?
Example conversation
Kavitha calls Karthik on the phone to check on him.
- கவிதா Kavithaகார்த்திக், இப்போ என்ன பண்ற?Kārttik, ippō enna paṇṟa?Karthik, what are you doing now?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikநான் ஒரு படம் பார்க்கிறேன்.nāṉ oru paṭam pārkkirēṉ.I am watching a movie.
- கவிதா Kavithaஓ, அப்படியா?ō, appaṭiyā?Oh, is that so?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஆமாம், கவிதா.āmām, Kavitā.Yes, Kavitha.
