மனிதன்
maṉitaṉ/mɐnɪd̪ɐn/
The English word 'man' is translated into Tamil as மனிதன் (maṉitaṉ).
The term மனிதன் refers to an adult male human. Other related forms in Tamil include the verb ஆள் சேர், which means to supply with staff or crew and the interjection டேய், which is used to place emphasis upon someone or something.
Meaning: adult male human (noun)
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
maṉitaṉ (/mɐnɪd̪ɐn/)
Did you know?
- The word மனிதன் is not purely Dravidian in origin but was influenced by the Prakrit word munisa.
- The interjection டேய் is a common way to address a man or a friend, but using it with a stranger or elder can be seen as very disrespectful.
- Despite the formal nature of மனிதன், in casual spoken Tamil, people are much more likely to use the word ஆள் (aḷ) to refer to a person or a man.
Examples in context
- நான் ஒரு மனிதன்.I am a man.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of மனிதன்.Tatoeba #3425949 by tamiliam, translation #386704 by Mouseneb
- அந்த மனிதன் மிகவும் நல்லவர்.anta miṉitaṉ mikavum nallavar.That man is a very good person.
- அவன் ஒரு தைரியமான மனிதன்.avaṉ oru tairiyamāṉa miṉitaṉ.He is a brave man.
Example conversation
Karthik and Priya are talking about a stranger they saw.
- பிரியா Priyaஅந்த மனிதன் எங்கே போகிறார்?Andha manidhan engē pōgirār?Where is that man going?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஅவர் கடைக்குச் செல்கிறார்.Avar kadaikkuch celgirār.He is going to the shop.
- பிரியா Priyaஅவர் ஒரு விசித்திரமான மனிதன்.Avar oru vicitiramāna manidhan.He is a strange man.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஆம், நான் ஒத்துக்கொள்கிறேன்.Ām, nāṉ ottukkoḷgirēṉ.Yes, I agree.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry மனிதன், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries மனிதன், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
