சோர்வு
sōrvu
The English word 'tired' can be expressed in Tamil using சோர்வு (sōrvu).
The term is used to describe being in need of rest or sleep.
Meaning: in need of rest or sleep (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun சோர்வு (sōrvu) literally means 'tiredness' or 'fatigue'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe being in a tired state, such as saying 'I am tired', you convert the noun into an adverbial form by adding the suffix '-ஆக' (-āka) to create சோர்வாக (sōrvāka). You then combine this with the verb இருக்கிறேன் (irukkiṟēṉ), meaning 'I am', to form the phrase சோர்வாக இருக்கிறேன்.
How do you pronounce it?
sōrvu
Did you know?
- While சோர்வு describes the state, Tamil speakers might use the phrase தூக்கம் வருது (tūkkam varutu), meaning 'sleep is coming', to signal they are tired in a social setting.
- In many Tamil dialects, if someone is extremely tired, they might say they are 'falling' or 'dropping' using words related to physical collapse, rather than just using the word for fatigue.
- Because Tamil is a diglossic language, the way you express being tired in a written book will look very different from how you say it to a friend in Chennai.
Example conversation
Arun and Kavitha are talking after a long day of travel.
- கவிதா Kavithaஉனக்கு இப்போது சோர்வு இருக்கிறதா, அருண்?Unakku ippōdhu sōrvu irukkiradhā, Arun?Are you tired now, Arun?
- அருண் Arunஆம், கவிதா, எனக்கு மிகுந்த சோர்வு.Ām, Kavithā, enakku migundha sōrvu.Yes, Kavitha, I am very tired.
- கவிதா Kavithaநீ சிறிது நேரம் ஓய்வு எடு.Nī siridhu nēram ōyvu edu.You take some rest for a while.
- அருண் Arunசரி, நான் தூங்கப் போகிறேன்.Sari, nān thūnga pōgirēn.Okay, I am going to sleep.
