யார்
yār/jɑːɾ/
In Tamil, the English phrase 'who' is expressed as யார் (yār). Wiktionary also lists எவர் (evar) and எவன் (evaṉ).
Meaning: who? (interrogative pronoun) (pron)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| யார் | yār | /jɑːɾ/ |
| எவர் | evar | /ɛʋɐɾ/ |
| எவன் | evaṉ | /ɛʋɐn/ |
Which one should you use?
யார் is the standard, neutral way to say 'who' in most contexts. எவர் is a more formal and polite version, often used when addressing or referring to someone of higher status. எவன் is a more colloquial or sometimes derogatory way to say 'who', typically used for males in informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
யார் is gender-neutral and can be used for any person regardless of gender.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /jɑːɾ/ (yār).
Did you know?
- Even though யார் is the standard word for 'who', its ancient ancestor is a doublet of the word ஆர், which is a highly formal way to address someone in classical Tamil literature.
- While யார் is the standard neutral term, using it in place of the formal எவர் when speaking to an elder can sometimes be seen as a lapse in etiquette.
Examples in context
- போய் யார் என்று பார்Go and see who it is.This sentence shows how to use யார் to identify someone.Tatoeba #4240339 by Singaravelu, translation #276272 by CK
- யார்?Who?This sentence shows the use of யார் as a standalone question.Tatoeba #11036724 by DriedGrapes31, translation #2083030 by CK
- அவள் யார்?Who is she?This sentence shows how to use யார் to ask about a person's identity.Tatoeba #4267855 by Singaravelu, translation #315731 by CK
- யார் வந்தார்?Who came?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Divya and Santhosh are talking about a new neighbor.
- திவ்யா Divyaஉங்கள் பக்கத்து வீட்டுக்காரர் யார்?Ungal pakkathu veetukkarar yaar?Who is your next-door neighbor?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅவர் ஒரு ஆசிரியர்.Avar oru aasiriyar.He is a teacher.
- திவ்யா Divyaஅவருடன் யார் வந்தார்கள்?Avarudan yaar vandhaargal?Who came with him?
- சந்தோஷ் Santhoshஅவருடன் அவருடைய மனைவி வந்தார்.Avarudan avarudaiya manaivi vandhaar.His wife came with him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “who” translations and entries யார், எவர், எவன், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries எவன், எவர், யார், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
