இன்னும் இல்லை
innum illai/ɪnːʊm ɪllɐɪ̯/word by word
The Tamil phrase for 'not yet' is இன்னும் இல்லை (innum illai).
This phrase is used to indicate that something has not occurred for the moment, though it is expected to happen later.
Meaning: not for the moment, though expected later (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of innum (still/yet) and illai (no/not/does not exist).
Which one should you use?
While இன்னும் இல்லை is the standard form, you may encounter இன்னும் அல்ல in formal contexts. In informal speech, people often say இன்னும் இல்ல.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Coimbatore, you may hear இன்னும் பன்னல to mean 'haven't done it yet' or 'haven't started yet'.
How does it change in a sentence?
இன்னும் இல்லை can function as a complete sentence in response to a question regarding whether an action has occurred.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is innum illai. The IPA is /ɪnːʊm ɪllɐɪ̯/.
Did you know?
- The term இல்லை is a cognate with the Kannada illa and Malayalam illa, reflecting shared ancestral roots across South Indian languages.
- Because இல்லை (illai) implies that something does not exist, saying 'not yet' can feel to a native speaker as if they are saying the event itself has no existence in the current moment.
Examples in context
- சாப்பாடு இன்னும் இல்லை.chāpādu innum illai.The food is not ready yet.
- பதில் இன்னும் இல்லை.bathil innum illai.There is no answer yet.
Example conversation
Arun asks Kavitha if the work is finished.
- அருண் Arunவேலை முடிந்ததா?vēlai mudinthathā?Is the work finished?
- கவிதா Kavithaஇல்லை, இன்னும் இல்லை.illai, innum illai.No, not yet.
- அருண் Arunஎப்போது முடியும்?eppōthu mudum?When will it be done?
- கவிதா Kavithaசிறிது நேரத்தில் முடியும்.sirithu nērathil mudum.It will be done in a little while.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (இன்னும், இல்லை) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries இன்னும், இல்லை, CC BY-SA 4.0.
