உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன?
ungal peyar enna?/ʊŋɡɐɭ pɛjɐɾ ɛnːɐ/word by word
The phrase 'what is your name?' in Tamil is உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன? (ungal peyar enna?)
This phrase is used to ask a person for their name.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன? breaks down literally as 'your (formal) name what?'
Which one should you use?
The default form உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன? uses the polite/plural ungal to show respect to the listener, whereas the informal form உன் பெயர் என்ன? is used in different social contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Replacing the formal ungal with the informal un makes the question appropriate for children or close friends.
How do you pronounce it?
ungal peyar enna?
Did you know?
- The word பெயர் is derived from the Proto-Dravidian root *pinccVr, which connects it to languages like Brahui spoken in Pakistan.
- In South Indian culture, when introducing oneself after being asked உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன?, many people will provide their father's name or their village name as a secondary identifier.
- If you are asking a name in a very casual setting, like among close friends, using the formal உங்கள் (ungal) can actually make you sound distant or even sarcastic.
Examples in context
- மன்னிக்கவும், உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன?mannikkavum, ungal peyar enna?Excuse me, what is your name?
Example conversation
Two people are meeting for the first time at a social gathering.
- கவிதா Kavithaவணக்கம், உங்கள் பெயர் என்ன?vanakkam, ungal peyar enna?Hello, what is your name?
- விஜய் Vijayஎன் பெயர் விஜய்.en peyar vijay.My name is Vijay.
- கவிதா Kavithaஉங்களைச் சந்தித்ததில் மகிழ்ச்சி, விஜய்.ungalai sandhithadhil magizhchi, vijay.Nice to meet you, Vijay.
- விஜய் Vijayமிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி, கவிதா.mikka magizhchi, kavitha.Very happy, Kavitha.
