How to Use Past Tense Forms in Tamil for English Speakers

Understanding Past Tense in Tamil

In Tamil, the past tense is used to describe actions that have already happened. Unlike English, Tamil verbs change their endings based on the subject's gender, number, and respect level. This article will guide English speakers through the basics of forming and using past tense verbs in Tamil.

Basic Structure of Past Tense Verbs

Tamil verbs in the past tense typically end with suffixes that vary depending on the subject. The verb root is combined with these suffixes to indicate the past action. For example, the verb 'to go' is 'போ' (pō). In past tense, it changes according to the subject.

Past Tense Endings for Different Subjects

• First person singular (I): -த்தேன் (-ththēn)
• Second person singular informal (You): -த்தாய் (-ththāy)
• Second person singular formal (You): -த்தீர் (-ththīr)
• Third person singular masculine (He): -த்தான் (-ththān)
• Third person singular feminine (She): -த்தாள் (-ththāḷ)
• Third person singular neuter (It): -த்தது (-ththathu)
• First person plural (We): -த்தோம் (-ththōm)
• Second person plural (You all): -த்தீர்கள் (-ththīrkaḷ)
• Third person plural (They): -த்தார்கள் (-ththārkaḷ)

Example: Past Tense of the Verb 'To Go' (போ) in Tamil

• I went: நான் போத்தேன் (nāṉ pōththēn)
• You (informal) went: நீ போத்தாய் (nī pōththāy)
• You (formal) went: நீங்கள் போத்தீர் (nīṅkaḷ pōththīr)
• He went: அவன் போத்தான் (avaṉ pōththān)
• She went: அவள் போத்தாள் (avaḷ pōththāḷ)
• It went: அது போத்தது (atu pōththathu)
• We went: நாம் போத்தோம் (nām pōththōm)
• You all went: நீங்கள் போத்தீர்கள் (nīṅkaḷ pōththīrkaḷ)
• They went: அவர்கள் போத்தார்கள் (avarkaḷ pōththārkaḷ)

Using Past Tense in Sentences

Past tense verbs are used in sentences to describe completed actions. For example, "I ate" is "நான் சாப்பிட்டேன்" (nāṉ sāppiṭṭēn), where 'சாப்பிட' (sāppiḍa) means 'to eat' and '-த்தேன்' (-ththēn) is the past tense suffix for first person singular.

Important Notes on Past Tense Usage

Practice Tips for English Speakers Learning Tamil Past Tense

1. Start by memorizing common verb roots and their past tense suffixes.
2. Practice conjugating verbs with different subjects to get familiar with endings.
3. Listen to native Tamil speakers to understand the pronunciation and usage.
4. Use simple sentences to practice forming past tense verbs in context.
5. Be mindful of formal and informal forms depending on whom you are speaking to.