Forming Verbal Nouns with -atu
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Transform any verb into a noun by adding -atu to the root to describe the act of doing something.
- Identify the verb root (e.g., 'paadu' - sing).
- Attach the -atu suffix to create the noun (e.g., 'paadatu' - the act of singing).
- Use this noun as the subject or object in your sentence.
Verbal Noun Formation
| Verb Root | Suffix | Verbal Noun | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Paadu
|
-atu
|
Paadatu
|
Singing
|
|
Oodu
|
-atu
|
Oodatu
|
Running
|
|
Padi
|
-atu
|
Padiyatu
|
Reading
|
|
Pes
|
-atu
|
Pesatu
|
Speaking
|
|
Saapidu
|
-atu
|
Saapidatu
|
Eating
|
|
Nad
|
-atu
|
Nadappatu
|
Walking
|
Meanings
The -atu suffix transforms a verb into a verbal noun, allowing you to treat an action as a concept or object.
Conceptual Action
Describing the act of performing a verb as a static concept.
“Oodatu kavalai. (Running is a worry.)”
“Pesatu arumai. (Speaking is wonderful.)”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Root + atu
|
Paadatu nalladhu
|
|
Negative
|
Root + atu + koodadhu
|
Paadatu koodadhu
|
|
Question
|
Root + atu + a?
|
Paadatu nalladha?
|
|
Subject
|
Noun + Subject
|
Paadatu inimai
|
|
Object
|
Noun + Object
|
Naan paadatu virumbugiren
|
طيف الرسمية
Paadatu nalladhu. (General)
Paadatu nalladhu. (General)
Paadatu nalla irukkum. (General)
Paadatu sema. (General)
Verbal Noun Concept
Action
- Paadu Sing
Noun
- Paadatu Singing
أمثلة حسب المستوى
Oodatu nalladhu.
Running is good.
Pesatu pidikkum.
I like speaking.
Paadatu inimai.
Singing is sweet.
Saapidatu nalladhu.
Eating is good.
Nadappatu udambukku nalladhu.
Walking is good for the body.
Padippatu enadhu vazhakkam.
Reading is my habit.
Vilaiyatu nalladhu.
Playing is good.
Ezhudhutu arumai.
Writing is wonderful.
Avarin pesatu migavum nalladhu.
His way of speaking is very good.
Kudippatu koodadhu.
Drinking is not allowed.
Paadatu enadhu kanavu.
Singing is my dream.
Oodatu enadhu viruppam.
Running is my preference.
Avargalin nadappatu matravargalukku madhippu.
Their way of walking is respected by others.
Samaiyatu mudindhadhu.
The cooking is finished.
Padippatu enadhu vazhkkai.
Studying is my life.
Pesatu enadhu thiran.
Speaking is my skill.
Kavithai ezhudhutu oru kalai.
Writing poetry is an art.
Avarin nadappatu oru varalaru.
His way of walking is a history.
Pesatu enbadhu oru kalai.
Speaking is an art.
Paadatu enbadhu anma.
Singing is a soul.
Avarin pesatu enbadhu oru arputham.
His way of speaking is a miracle.
Nadappatu enbadhu oru iyakkam.
Walking is a movement.
Ezhudhutu enbadhu oru vazhi.
Writing is a path.
Paadatu enbadhu oru unarvu.
Singing is a feeling.
سهل الخلط
Both involve verb roots.
أخطاء شائعة
Paadu nalladhu
Paadatu nalladhu
Paadatu kooda
Paadatu koodadhu
Paadatu enadhu
Paadatu enadhu vazhakkam
Paadatu enbadhu
Paadatu
أنماط الجُمل
___ nalladhu.
Real World Usage
Oodatu pidikkum!
Practice
Smart Tips
Use -atu.
النطق
Suffix stress
The stress usually falls on the root, not the suffix.
Statement
Paadatu nalladhu ↓
Declarative
احفظها
وسيلة تذكّر
Think of 'atu' as 'a-to-do' list. You take a verb and turn it into a task on your list.
ربط بصري
Imagine a singer (paadu) holding a sign that says 'atu'. The sign turns the singer into a statue of a singer (the noun).
Rhyme
Add the atu to the root, now the noun is absolute.
Story
Ravi loves to sing. He adds 'atu' to his singing to make it a noun. Now he can hold his singing in his hands like a gift.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Write 5 sentences today using -atu to describe your daily activities.
ملاحظات ثقافية
Used in daily conversation to express opinions.
Derived from classical Tamil verbal noun structures.
بدايات محادثة
Enna pidikkum?
مواضيع للكتابة اليومية
أخطاء شائعة
Test Yourself
___ nalladhu.
Score: /1
تمارين تطبيقية
1 exercises___ nalladhu.
Score: /1
الأسئلة الشائعة (1)
Yes, for most verbs.
Scaffolded Practice
1
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Gerund (-ing)
English uses -ing, Tamil uses -atu.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Connected Grammar
Verb Roots
PrerequisiteNeed roots.
