ಈ
ī
The Tulu word for "you" is ಈ (ī).
ಈ is used as a subject pronoun to refer to the person being addressed.
Meaning: subject pronoun: the person being addressed (pron)
Which one should you use?
While ಈ is the default form, Nī is also used as a common and straightforward way to say "you".
How do you pronounce it?
ī
Did you know?
- In Tulu, the pronoun ಈ can sometimes be omitted entirely if the verb ending already indicates that the person being addressed is the subject.
- In many Tulu-speaking households, using the direct word for 'you' can actually sound impolite or overly blunt if not accompanied by specific honorific markers.
- The word ಈ is a direct descendant of the Proto-Dravidian root *nīn, making it a linguistic relative of many other South Indian languages.
Examples in context
- ಈ ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗತ ಇತ್ತ್ರ್?Ee ellige hogata ittar?Where are you going?
- ಈ ಎಂಚ ಇತ್ತ್ರ್?Ee encha ittar?How are you?
Example conversation
Praveen and Kavya meet at a market.
- ಪ್ರವೀಣ್ Praveenಈ ಎನ್ನೊಟ್ಟುಗು ಬರ್ಪೆ?Ee ennottugu barpe?Will you come with me?
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಇಂದೆ ಈ ದಾದಾ ಪನ್ಪೆ?Inde ee dada panpe?What are you saying today?
- ಪ್ರವೀಣ್ Praveenಈ ಪೋಯಿಜೇ ಅಂದ್ ಪೆರ್ದ.Ee poyije and perd.I said you should go.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಈ ರೊದ ಪೆರ್ದ.Ee roda perd.You spoke correctly.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಈ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
