பிறகு
piṟaku/pɪrɐɡɯ/
The English word 'later' is translated into Tamil as பிறகு (piṟaku).
பிறகு is an adverb used to indicate that something happens afterward in time. It can also function as a postposition to express the concept of 'after' a specific event or time.
Meaning: afterward in time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word பிறகு (piṟaku) literally means 'after' or 'afterwards'.
Which one should you use?
While பிறகு can stand alone as an adverb meaning 'later', you may also use the phrase அதற்குப் பிறகு (ataṟkup piṟaku) to mean 'after that' or 'subsequently' when describing a sequence of events.
How does it change in a sentence?
பிறகு can stand alone as an adverb meaning 'later', but it is frequently used as a postposition following a noun or a verb to mean 'after [something]'.
How do you pronounce it?
piṟaku
Did you know?
- The root of the word shares a linguistic connection with the Irula language term பறகெ (paṟake).
- While பிறகு means 'later', Tamil speakers often use the word அப்புறம் (appuṟam) in casual conversation to mean 'and then' or 'what else' when keeping a conversation going.
- While பிறகு is the standard way to say 'later', the word பின் (piṉ) can also be used to mean 'after' or 'behind' in certain grammatical structures.
Examples in context
- நான் பிறகு அழைக்கிறேன்.nān piṟaku aḻaikkiṟēṉ.I will call later.
- அவன் பிறகு வருவான்.avaṉ piṟaku varuvāṉ.He will come later.
- சாப்பிட்ட பிறகு பேசுவோம்.cāppiṭṭa piṟaku pēcuvōm.Let's talk after eating.
Example conversation
Arun and Divya are discussing when to finish their work.
- திவ்யா Divyaஅருண், இப்போது இதை முடிப்போம்.Aruṇ, ippōtu itai muṭippōm.Arun, let's finish this now.
- அருண் Arunஎனக்கு கொஞ்சம் வேலை இருக்கிறது, பிறகு செய்யலாம்.Enakku koñcam vēlai irukkiṟatu, piṟaku cēylām.I have some work, we can do it later.
- திவ்யா Divyaசரி, எப்போது ஆரம்பிப்போம்?Sari, eppōtu ārambippōm?Okay, when will we start?
- அருண் Arunஇரண்டு மணி பிறகு சந்திப்போம்.Iraṇṭu maṇi piṟaku santippōm.Let's meet after two o'clock.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry பிறகு, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries பிறகு, CC BY-SA 4.0.
