இன்று
iṉṟu/ɪnrɯ/
In Tamil, the word for today is இன்று (iṉṟu).
The word is used as an adverb to refer to the current day.
Meaning: on the current day (adv)
Which one should you use?
While இன்று is the standard form, the colloquial version இன்னைக்கு is much more common in spoken Tamil. Additionally, the adjective form meaning 'today's' is இன்றைய.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
இன்று is a formal word primarily used in written Tamil, news broadcasts and formal speeches. In daily conversation, people much more frequently use the colloquial form இன்னைக்கு.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɪnrɯ/
Did you know?
- The word இன்று is derived from a root meaning 'non-existence' or 'nothingness'.
- Using the formal இன்று instead of the colloquial இன்னைக்கு can act as a social marker, signaling a speaker's level of education or the level of formality intended.
- Because Tamil is agglutinative, the adjective form இன்றைய can be expanded with suffixes to create highly specific time-based descriptions in a single word.
Examples in context
- இன்று மாலை ஆறு மணிக்கு அவனை நான் சந்திக்கிறேன்.I'll be meeting him today at 6 o'clock this evening.This sentence shows how to use இன்று when describing a meeting scheduled for this evening.Tatoeba #4272100 by Singaravelu, translation #4272078 by Singaravelu
- இன்று மாலை ஆறு மணிக்கு அவன் என்னை சந்திக்கிறான்.He meets me today evening at six o'clock.This sentence demonstrates the use of இன்று in a sentence about someone meeting you this evening.Tatoeba #4272111 by Singaravelu, translation #4272110 by Singaravelu
- இன்று வானிலை மிகவும் நன்றாக உள்ளது.inṟu vāṉaili mikavum naṉṟāka uḷḷatu.Today the weather is very good.
Example conversation
Kavitha and Karthik are discussing their schedule at the office.
- கவிதா Kavithaஇன்று உங்களுக்கு நிறைய வேலை இருக்கிறதா?inṟu uṅkaḷukku niṟaiya vēlai irukkiṟatā?Do you have a lot of work today?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikஆம், இன்று எனக்கு வேலை அதிகம்.ām, inṟu eṉakku vēlai atikam.Yes, I have a lot of work today.
- கவிதா Kavithaஉங்களால் இன்று முடிக்க முடியுமா?uṅkaḷāl inṟu muṭikka muṭiyumā?Can you finish it today?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikநிச்சயமாக, நான் இன்று முடிப்பேன்.niccayamāka, nāṉ inṟu muṭippēṉ.Certainly, I will finish it today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “today” translations and entries இன்று, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries இன்று, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
