അത്
atŭ
In Malayalam, the word for 'it' is അത് (atŭ).
അത് is used as a pronoun to refer to an inanimate thing or object.
Meaning: subject, inanimate thing (pron)
Which one should you use?
അത് is specifically used for inanimate objects.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun changes form depending on its role in a sentence. The accusative form അതിനെ is used when 'it' is the direct object of a verb. The dative form അതിന് is used to mean 'to it' or 'for it'. The plural form for inanimate objects is അവ. Additionally, you can combine അത് with the suffix '-കൊണ്ട്' (-koṇṭŭ) to create the conjunction അതുകൊണ്ട്, which means 'so' or 'therefore'.
How do you pronounce it?
atŭ
Did you know?
- When referring to a person as അത്, it is considered extremely derogatory or dehumanizing, as it strips the person of their humanity by using the inanimate pronoun.
- Unlike English, which uses 'it' as a dummy subject in phrases like 'it is raining', Malayalam often omits the pronoun entirely and just uses the verb.
- While അത് means 'it', it also functions as 'that'. In Malayalam, the distinction between 'it' and 'that' depends on the distance from the speaker rather than the nature of the object.
Examples in context
- അത് എന്നെ വളരെ സന്തോഷവാനാക്കി.It made me very happy.This sentence shows how അത് functions as a subject that can cause an emotional state.Tatoeba #2226828 by dochash, translation #2225432 by CK
- അത് പൊട്ടി രണ്ടു കഷണമായിപ്പോയി.It broke into two pieces.This sentence demonstrates the use of അത് to describe an object breaking.Tatoeba #7896042 by lonewolfie, translation #7895930 by maaster
- അത് എളുപ്പമായിരിക്കുമെന്ന് ഞാന് പറഞ്ഞില്ലല്ലോ.I never said it would be simple.This sentence illustrates using അത് to refer to a previously mentioned idea or situation.Tatoeba #7901973 by lonewolfie, translation #2388181 by CK
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sreedevi and Rahul are looking at a gift on the table.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅത് എന്ത് ആണ്?athu enthu aanu?What is it?
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅത് ഒരു പുസ്തകമാണ്.athu oru pusthakamaanu.It is a book.
- ശ്രീദേവി Srideviഅത് വളരെ മനോഹരമാണ്.athu valare manoharamaanu.It is very beautiful.
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅതെ, എനിക്കും അങ്ങനെ തോന്നുന്നു.athe, enikkum angane thonnunnu.Yes, I feel the same way.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
