என்னிடம் சொல்
ennidam sol
The English phrase "tell me" can be translated into Tamil as என்னிடம் சொல் (ennidam sol).
என்னிடம் சொல் is used as a request for someone to provide information or to speak to the speaker.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ennidam, which means "to me" or "with me" and sol, which means "tell" or "say".
Which one should you use?
The default form என்னிடம் சொல் functions as an imperative command. You can transform this into a polite request by adding the suffix -ungal, resulting in என்னிடம் சொல்லுங்கள்.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite request appropriate for elders, strangers or formal settings, use என்னிடம் சொல்லுங்கள். In colloquial speech with close friends or younger people, you may use the informal variation என்னிடம் சொல்லு. Additionally, சொல்லுங்கள் serves as a formal way to say "tell me" and சொல்லித்தருகின்றீர்களா? can be used to ask "can you tell me?" formally.
How do you pronounce it?
ennidam sol
Did you know?
- The phrase என்னிடம் சொல் literally translates to 'tell with me' or 'tell at me'. Tamil uses a locative sense of presence rather than the English direction of 'to me'.
- Depending on who you are addressing, the verb சொல் must change its ending to fit a complex social hierarchy. Using the informal form with a stranger or elder is considered a significant social faux pas.
- The word சொல் descends from the Proto-Dravidian root *col, making it a distant relative of the word for 'say' in languages as diverse as Kannada, Malayalam and Kuvi.
Examples in context
- உண்மையை என்னிடம் சொல்.uṇmaiyai enniṭam col.Tell me the truth.
- உன் ரகசியத்தை என்னிடம் சொல்.un rakaciyattai enniṭam col.Tell me your secret.
- நடந்த விஷயத்தை என்னிடம் சொல்.naṭanta viṣayattai enniṭam col.Tell me what happened.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new movie.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshதிவ்யா, அந்தப் படம் எப்படி இருக்கிறது?Divya, anthap padam eppadi irukkirathu?Divya, how is that movie?
- திவ்யா Divyaஅது மிகவும் சுவாரஸ்யமாக இருக்கிறது.Athu migavum suvarasyamaaga irukkirathu.It is very interesting.
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshகதையை என்னிடம் சொல்.Kathaiyai ennidam sol.Tell me the story.
- திவ்யா Divyaஇப்போது சொல்ல மாட்டேன், நீயே பார்.Ippothu solla maatten, neeye paar.I won't tell you now, watch it yourself.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries சொல், CC BY-SA 4.0.
