நீ அழகாக இருக்கிறாய்
nī aḻakāka irukkiṟāy
The English phrase "you're beautiful" is translated into Tamil as நீ அழகாக இருக்கிறாய் (nī aḻakāka irukkiṟāy).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they are physically attractive. While one might say நீ அழகு (nī aḻaku) to literally mean "You are beauty", the standard way to express this is the adverbial construction நீ அழகாக இருக்கிறாய்.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form நீ அழகாக இருக்கிறாய் is the informal/singular version. For a formal or polite tone, use the plural/honorific form நீங்கள் அழகாக இருக்கிறீர்கள்.
How do you pronounce it?
nī aḻakāka irukkiṟāy
Did you know?
- If you use the singular form நீ அழகாக இருக்கிறாய் with a stranger or an elder, it can be perceived as incredibly rude or even patronizing due to the lack of honorifics.
- While நீ means 'you', it is related to the Tamil verb நீங்கு (nīṅku), which means 'to avoid' or 'to move away' from something.
- The word for beauty அழகு (aḻaku) is often used in Tamil culture to describe not just people but also the precision and symmetry of a well-crafted piece of art or a mathematical proof.
Example conversation
Arun compliments Anita on her appearance at a party.
- அருண் Arunஅனிதா, நீ அழகாக இருக்கிறாய்.Anitā, nī alaģāka irukkiṟāy.Anita, you're beautiful.
- அனிதா Anitaமிக்க நன்றி, அருண்!Mikka naṉṟi, Aruṇ!Thank you so much, Arun!
- அருண் Arunஉன் புன்னகை மிகவும் அழகு.Un puṉṉakai mikavum alaģu.Your smile is very beautiful.
- அனிதா Anitaநீயும் பார்க்க நன்றாக இருக்கிறாய்.Nīyum pārkka naṉṟāka irukkiṟāy.You look good too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries நீ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
