Signification
Asking for the source of information
Contexte culturel
Asking 'How do you know?' is often the start of a 'social mapping' conversation. People love to find mutual acquaintances. In offices, this phrase is used to politely verify information sources without sounding accusatory. In villages, knowledge is communal. Asking this might get you a detailed history of who spoke to whom at the tea shop. The phrase remains the same, but the accent and some surrounding vocabulary might differ (e.g., using 'eppadi ariyeerkal').
The 'ku' Rule
Always remember the person who 'knows' must have a 'ku' at the end of their name/pronoun.
Tone Matters
Say it with a smile to sound curious. Say it flatly to sound suspicious.
Signification
Asking for the source of information
The 'ku' Rule
Always remember the person who 'knows' must have a 'ku' at the end of their name/pronoun.
Tone Matters
Say it with a smile to sound curious. Say it flatly to sound suspicious.
Add 'nga'
Add 'nga' at the end (Theriyum-nga) to sound extra polite and like a native speaker.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct formal way to ask 'How do you know?'
_______ எப்படித் தெரியும்?
The dative form 'உங்களுக்கு' (to you) is required for the verb 'தெரியும்'.
Fill in the missing word to ask 'How do you know him?'
உங்களுக்கு அவரை _______ தெரியும்?
'எப்படி' (Eppadi) means 'How'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: நாளைக்கு மழை வரும். (It will rain tomorrow.) B: __________________?
Asking for the source of the weather prediction is the most logical response.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are talking to your boss about a secret project.
Adding 'sir' and using 'Ungalukku' is appropriate for a boss.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices_______ எப்படித் தெரியும்?
The dative form 'உங்களுக்கு' (to you) is required for the verb 'தெரியும்'.
உங்களுக்கு அவரை _______ தெரியும்?
'எப்படி' (Eppadi) means 'How'.
A: நாளைக்கு மழை வரும். (It will rain tomorrow.) B: __________________?
Asking for the source of the weather prediction is the most logical response.
Situation: You are talking to your boss about a secret project.
Adding 'sir' and using 'Ungalukku' is appropriate for a boss.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it's more common to say 'Ungalukku neendha theriyuma?' (Do you know how to swim?). 'Eppadi theriyum' is usually for information.
'Theriyum' is 'know' (general/habitual). 'Therinthathu' is 'found out' (past).
It can be plural (to you all) or formal singular (to you, sir/ma'am).
Change 'Ungalukku' to 'Avargalukku' (formal/plural) or 'Avarkku' (formal him).
Absolutely. It's very common in WhatsApp chats.
No, as long as you use 'Ungalukku' and a neutral tone, it is perfectly polite.
It's a grammar rule (Sandhi) that joins 'Eppadi' and 'Theriyum' when spoken together.
You can say 'En nanbar sonnar' (My friend told me) or 'Naan padithen' (I read it).
In Chennai slang, people might say 'Eppadi theriyum unakku?' with a specific local accent.
Yes: 'Ungalukku en ragasiyam eppadi theriyum?'
Expressions liées
யாரு சொன்னாங்க?
similarWho told you?
உங்களுக்குத் தெரியுமா?
builds onDo you know?
எனக்குத் தெரியும்
contrastI know
உங்களுக்கு எப்படித் தெரிந்தது?
specialized formHow did you find out?
