Signification
Asking about someone's preference.
Contexte culturel
Hospitality is paramount. A host will ask 'Unakku pidikkuma?' multiple times during a meal. It is polite to say 'Romba pidikkum' (I like it very much) even if you only moderately like it. In Sri Lankan dialects, you might hear 'உனக்கு விருப்பமா?' (Unakku viruppama?) used interchangeably with 'pidikkuma' in formal or semi-formal settings. Among second-generation Tamil speakers in the West, 'Unakku pidikkuma?' is often one of the few phrases preserved, used frequently to bridge the gap between English and Tamil at home. The phrase is a staple in 'proposal' scenes. However, it's often considered more 'modern' and 'cool' than the traditional 'Naan unnai kaadhalikkiren' (I love you).
The 'Ku' Rule
Always remember the 'ku' at the end of 'Unakku'. If you forget it, the sentence becomes 'Are you a like?' which makes no sense!
Respect the Elders
If the person is even a few years older than you, play it safe and use 'Ungalukku' instead of 'Unakku'.
Signification
Asking about someone's preference.
The 'Ku' Rule
Always remember the 'ku' at the end of 'Unakku'. If you forget it, the sentence becomes 'Are you a like?' which makes no sense!
Respect the Elders
If the person is even a few years older than you, play it safe and use 'Ungalukku' instead of 'Unakku'.
The Indirect No
If someone says 'Paravaillai' (It's okay) when you ask if they like something, they probably don't like it much.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct way to ask a friend if they like tea.
___ டீ பிடிக்குமா?
The verb 'pidikkuma' always requires the dative form 'Unakku' for 'you'.
Complete the question to ask 'Do you like to sing?'
உனக்கு பாட்டு பாட _______?
To turn the statement 'pidikkum' into a question, we add the '-aa' suffix.
Match the phrase to the correct social context.
Which phrase should you use with your boss?
'Ungalukku' is the formal/respectful version required for superiors.
Complete the dialogue.
A: உனக்கு சினிமா பிடிக்குமா? B: ________.
The answer must use 'Enakku' (to me) and 'pidikkum' (likes).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs Informal
Banque d exercices
4 exercices___ டீ பிடிக்குமா?
The verb 'pidikkuma' always requires the dative form 'Unakku' for 'you'.
உனக்கு பாட்டு பாட _______?
To turn the statement 'pidikkum' into a question, we add the '-aa' suffix.
Which phrase should you use with your boss?
'Ungalukku' is the formal/respectful version required for superiors.
A: உனக்கு சினிமா பிடிக்குமா? B: ________.
The answer must use 'Enakku' (to me) and 'pidikkum' (likes).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! 'Unakku avanai pidikkuma?' means 'Do you like him?'. It can imply friendship or a crush.
'Pidikkum' is for general, permanent likes (I like chocolate). 'Pidichirukku' is for right now (I like this specific chocolate I'm eating).
Yes, 'pudikkuma' is a very common colloquial pronunciation variant used in many parts of Tamil Nadu.
Say 'Enakku romba pidikkum'. 'Romba' means 'very' or 'a lot'.
Because in Tamil, liking is something that happens *to* you. You are the recipient of the feeling, hence the dative case.
Only if you use the formal 'Ungalukku'. Even then, 'Do you like this proposal?' is better phrased as 'What is your opinion?' in very formal settings.
Use 'Unakku enna pidikkum?'. Note that the '-aa' at the end of 'pidikkuma' is dropped when you use 'enna' (what).
In very casual slang, people just say 'Pidichிருக்கா?' (Pidichirukka?), dropping the 'Unakku' entirely.
Literally, yes. But in this context, it exclusively means 'to like'. You'd use different grammar for 'Are you holding it?'.
You would say 'Yarukku idhu pidikkum?'. 'Yarukku' is the dative of 'Yar' (Who).
Expressions liées
எனக்கு பிடிக்கும்
builds onI like [it]
எனக்கு பிடிக்காது
contrastI don't like [it]
உங்களுக்கு பிடிக்குமா?
specialized formDo you (formal) like [it]?
உனக்கு ரொம்ப பிடிக்குமா?
builds onDo you like [it] a lot?
உனக்கு எது பிடிக்கும்?
similarWhich one do you like?
