எண்
eṇ/ɛɳ/
The Tamil word for "number" is எண் (eṇ).
எண் refers to an abstract entity used to describe quantity.
Meaning: abstract entity used to describe quantity (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /ɛɳ/.
Did you know?
- The word எண் shares a deep historical root with the Proto-Dravidian word for 'eight'.
- In traditional Tamil culture, certain numbers are considered auspicious or inauspicious, influencing how people choose dates for weddings or housewarmings.
- Tamil has a distinct set of numeral names for units, tens, hundreds and thousands, but once a number reaches a million, it often shifts to a different naming system.
Examples in context
- இந்த எண் மிகவும் பெரியது.intap eṇ mikavum periyatu.This number is very large.
- அந்த எண் எது?antap eṇ etu?Which is that number?
Example conversation
Divya and Vijay are discussing a lottery ticket.
- திவ்யா Divyaவிஜய், இந்த எண் உன்னுடையதா?Vijay, indha e unnudaiyadha?Vijay, is this number yours?
- விஜய் Vijayஇல்லை, அது என் எண் இல்லை.Illai, adhu en e illai.No, that is not my number.
- திவ்யா Divyaஉன் எண் என்ன?Un e enna?What is your number?
- விஜய் Vijayஎன் எண் பத்து.En e patthu.My number is ten.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “number” translations and entries எண், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries எண், CC BY-SA 4.0.
