તમે
tamě/ˈt̪ə.mɛ/
In Gujarati, the word for "you" is તમે (tamě).
The form તમે is used both as a respectful singular "you" for one person and as a standard plural "you" for a group of people.
Meaning: subject pronoun: the person being addressed (pron)
Which one should you use?
While તમે is the standard polite form for 'you', the singular form તું is used for close friends, children or in very informal settings. Additionally, આપ can be used to address someone with respect in formal or professional settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
When "you" is the object of a verb or follows a preposition, the polite form તમે changes to તમને. To express possession, the possessive form of the polite તમે is તમારા, used to say "your" when addressing someone with respect.
How do you pronounce it?
tamě is pronounced /ˈt̪ə.mɛ/. The first of the two syllables is stressed.
Did you know?
- The evolution of તમે traces back to the Sanskrit word 'yuṣmān', which was originally the accusative plural form meaning 'you all'.
- Even though તમે is often used for a single person, using the informal તું with a stranger or a superior can be perceived as a direct insult or a sign of deep disrespect.
- When using તમે, the verb at the end of the sentence must also change its form to agree with the polite plural, even if only one person is being addressed.
Examples in context
- તમે તુર્કીમાં ક્યાં રહો છો?Where in Turkey do you live?This sentence shows how to use તમે to ask about someone's residence.Tatoeba #3242688 by Rav, translation #1396417 by CK
- તમે નાના હતા ત્યારે તમારા પિતા સાથે તમારો સંબંધ કેવો હતો?What was your relationship with your father like when you were a kid?This sentence uses તમે to ask about a past relationship.Tatoeba #4639431 by pinkmoon, translation #4638840 by patgfisher
- તમે કેમ છો?How are you?
- તમે શું કરો છો?What are you doing?
- તમે આજે ખૂબ ખુશ લાગો છો.tame āje khūba khusha lāgō chō.You look very happy today.
Example conversation
Drishti and Nilay meet at a cafe.
- દ્રષ્ટિ Drishtiનિલય, તમે કેમ છો?Nilay, tame kem cho?Nilay, how are you?
- નિલય Nilayહું મજામાં છું, આભાર.Hu majama chu, aabhar.I am fine, thank you.
- દ્રષ્ટિ Drishtiતમે અહીં ક્યારે આવ્યા?Tame ahi kyare avya?When did you arrive here?
- નિલય Nilayહું હમણાં જ આવ્યો.Hu hamna ja avyo.I just arrived.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry તમે, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries તમે, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
