உனக்கு என்ன பிரச்சினை
unakku enna pirachchanai
In Tamil, the phrase "what is your problem" is expressed as உனக்கு என்ன பிரச்சினை (unakku enna pirachchanai).
This phrase is used to ask someone what is bothering them or what is wrong.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "to you what problem".
Which one should you use?
The default form உனக்கு என்ன பிரச்சினை is informal and can sound confrontational or aggressive depending on your tone, much like it does in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken Tamil, the question mark is often implied by a rising intonation at the end of the sentence. To make the question respectful, you can change the pronoun from the informal unakku to the formal/polite ungalukku.
How do you pronounce it?
unakku enna pirachchanai
Did you know?
- The word பிரச்சினை comes from the Sanskrit word praśna, which originally meant 'question' rather than 'problem'.
- In Tamil culture, asking உனக்கு என்ன பிரச்சினை with a soft tone can be a gesture of genuine care, but the same words with a sharp tone are often used in cinema to signal a fight is starting.
- Tamil is one of the few languages in the world that allows you to omit the verb 'to be' entirely in this phrase, as the meaning is fully understood through the nouns and pronouns.
Examples in context
- உங்களுக்கு எந்த பிரச்சனை உள்ளது?What is your problem?
- உனக்கு என்ன பிரச்சினை என்று சொல்.unakku enna pirachinai endru sol.Tell me what your problem is.
Example conversation
Arun notices Anita looking upset.
- அனிதா Anitaஎனக்கு இன்று மனச்சோர்வாக இருக்கிறது.enakku indru manachoravaaga irukkiradhu.I feel depressed today.
- அருண் Arunஉனக்கு என்ன பிரச்சினை?unakku enna pirachinai?What is your problem?
- அனிதா Anitaவேலையில் நிறைய அழுத்தம் இருக்கிறது.velaiyil niraiya azhutham irukkiradhu.There is a lot of pressure at work.
- அருண் Arunகவலைப்படாதே, எல்லாம் சரியாகிவிடும்.kavalappadadhe, ellam sariyaagividum.Don't worry, everything will be fine.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries உனக்கு, என்ன, பிரச்சினை, CC BY-SA 4.0.
