ஒன்று
oṉṟu/onrɯ/
ஒன்று (oṉṟu) is the Tamil word for the cardinal number one.
ஒன்று is used to represent the number one.
Meaning: cardinal number 1 (num)
Which one should you use?
ஒன்று is the standard form, while the colloquial form ஒண்ணு is used. Additionally, when 'one' acts as the direct object of a verb, the accusative form ஒன்றை is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
If 'one' is the direct object of a verb, it takes the accusative form ஒன்றை. The colloquial version of the word is ஒண்ணு.
How do you pronounce it?
/onrɯ/
Did you know?
- In Tamil culture, the number one is often associated with the concept of 'oneness' or 'unity', and the word ஒன்று is used in philosophical contexts to describe the singular nature of the divine.
- The word ஒன்று can also mean 'something' or 'some' when used as an indefinite pronoun, rather than specifically meaning the number one.
- Despite sounding very similar to the English word 'one', ஒன்று is a false cognate and shares no linguistic ancestor with English.
Examples in context
- ஒரு உதாரணத்தை கொடுக்கின்றேன்Let me give you one example.
- அங்கே ஒன்று இருக்கிறது.aṅkē onru irukkiratu.There is one there.
Example conversation
Santhosh and Priya are counting items on a table.
- பிரியா Priyaஇங்கே எத்தனை பேனாக்கள் உள்ளன?Inge ettanai penakkal ullana?How many pens are here?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஇங்கே ஒன்று இருக்கிறது.Inge onru irukkiradhu.There is one here.
- பிரியா Priyaஎனக்கு ஒன்று கொடுக்க முடியுமா?Enakku onru kodukka mudiyuma?Can you give me one?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshநிச்சயமாக, இதோ எடுத்துக்கொள்.Nichayamaga, idho eduthukkol.Of course, take it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “one” translations and entries ஒன்று, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ஒன்று, CC BY-SA 4.0.
