How to Use Present Tense in Tamil Verbs for English Speakers

Understanding Present Tense in Tamil Verbs

In Tamil, the present tense is used to describe actions that are currently happening or habitual actions. 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 the present tense in Tamil verbs.

Basic Structure of Present Tense Verbs in Tamil

Tamil verbs in the present tense are formed by adding specific suffixes to the verb root. These suffixes vary depending on the subject's person (first, second, third), number (singular, plural), and gender (masculine, feminine, neuter). The verb root remains constant, and the suffixes indicate the tense and subject.

Present Tense Endings for Different Subjects

• First Person Singular: -கிறேன் (-kiṟēṉ)
• First Person Plural: -கிறோம் (-kiṟōm)
• Second Person Singular (informal): -கிறாய் (-kiṟāy)
• Second Person Singular (formal): -கிறீர்கள் (-kiṟīrkaḷ)
• Second Person Plural: -கிறீர்கள் (-kiṟīrkaḷ)
• Third Person Singular Masculine: -கிறான் (-kiṟāṉ)
• Third Person Singular Feminine: -கிறாள் (-kiṟāḷ)
• Third Person Singular Neuter: -கிறது (-kiṟatu)
• Third Person Plural: -கிறார்கள் (-kiṟārkaḷ)

Example with the Verb 'To Come' (வரு - varu)

Let's see how the verb 'வரு' (varu), meaning 'to come', is conjugated in the present tense for different subjects.

• I come: நான் வருகிறேன் (nāṉ varukiṟēṉ)
• We come: நாம் வருகிறோம் (nām varukiṟōm)
• You (informal) come: நீ வருகிறாய் (nī varukiṟāy)
• You (formal/plural) come: நீங்கள் வருகிறீர்கள் (nīṅkaḷ varukiṟīrkaḷ)
• He comes: அவன் வருகிறான் (avaṉ varukiṟāṉ)
• She comes: அவள் வருகிறாள் (avaḷ varukiṟāḷ)
• It comes: அது வருகிறது (atu varukiṟatu)
• They come: அவர்கள் வருகிறார்கள் (avarkaḷ varukiṟārkaḷ)

Usage Tips for English Speakers Learning Tamil Present Tense

1. Pay attention to the subject's gender and number as Tamil verbs change accordingly.
2. The verb root stays the same; only the suffix changes.
3. Formality is important in Tamil; use the appropriate second person suffix.
4. Practice with common verbs to get comfortable with conjugations.