Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| நீ | nī | /niː/ | familiar |
| நீங்கள் | nīṅkaḷ | /niːŋɡɐɭ/ | formal, polite |
| தாங்கள் | tāṅkaḷ | /t̪ɑːŋɡɐɭ/ | formal |
| நீர் | nīr | /niːɾ/ | polite |
In Tamil, 'you' functions as a subject pronoun to address the person being addressed. It can also act as a determiner when used to refer to the individual or group spoken/written to. Additionally, the form ஏய் can be used before epithets for emphasis.
Which one should you use?
The different forms are chosen based on social context and number. நீ is the singular, informal form used for a single person in an informal or familiar context, such as friends or younger people. நீங்கள் is used to address a group of people or to address a single person with respect and politeness. நீர் is used between people of equal social standing, such as colleagues or acquaintances. தாங்கள் is a highly formal or honorific version of 'you', often used in literature, formal speeches or to show extreme respect.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality is a key distinction in Tamil. நீ is an informal way to say 'you' in Tamil and can be used among friends, peers or individuals of similar age. நீங்கள் is the formal way to say 'you' in Tamil and is used in its plural form in formal contexts. நீர் is polite, while தாங்கள் is formal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the verb in a sentence must agree with the chosen version of 'you'. When using the singular informal form நீ, the verb endings in the sentence must also agree with the singular informal subject. When using the polite or plural form நீங்கள், the verb endings in the sentence must agree with the plural/polite subject.
How do you pronounce it?
nī (IPA: /niː/)
When do people say it?
For example, among close friends or family members, one might commonly use the phrase நீ எப்படி இருக்கின்றாய்?
Did you know?
- The Tamil word for 'you' நீ is a cognate with the word nī in the Brahui language, which is spoken in Pakistan.
- The highly formal version தாங்கள் is actually derived from the reflexive pronoun 'self', literally meaning something closer to 'oneself' in its construction.
- The singular informal 'you' is spelled and sounds exactly like the word for 'you' in Malayalam, which is a closely related language.
Examples in context
- நீ ஒரு வழி காட்டிYou are a guide.This sentence shows how to use நீ to identify someone's role.Tatoeba #4159909 by Singaravelu, translation #4159906 by Singaravelu
- நீ அவளை பார்க்கவில்லை.You didn't see her.This sentence uses நீ in a negative context regarding an action.Tatoeba #13012276 by niroshan, translation #13011559 by rul
- நீ வழி காட்டப் படுகிறாய்You are leading the way.This sentence demonstrates நீ in a sentence describing an ongoing action.Tatoeba #4159923 by Singaravelu, translation #4159919 by Singaravelu
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Arun and Anita are talking at a small café.
- அருண் Arunநீ இங்கே வந்தாயா?Nī iṅkē vantāyā?Did you come here?
- அனிதா Anitaஆமாம், நான் வந்தேன்.Āmām, nāṉ vantēṉ.Yes, I came.
- அருண் Arunநீ ஏன் இவ்வளவு தாமதமாக வந்தாய்?Nī ēṉ ivvaḷḷu tāmatamāka vantāy?Why did you come so late?
- அனிதா Anitaவேலை கொஞ்சம் அதிகமாக இருந்தது.Vēlai koṉjam adhigamāga iruntatu.There was a lot of work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries நீ, நீங்கள், தாங்கள், நீர், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries தாங்கள், நீ, நீங்கள், நீர், CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
