Signification
Stating that one needs food.
Contexte culturel
Hospitality (Virunthombal) is a core value. If you say you are hungry, a Tamil person will likely feel a moral obligation to feed you well. The phrase 'Pasi edukkuthu' is more common in Sri Lanka than 'Pasikkirathu'. It sounds more active, as if hunger is 'taking' them. Younger generations use 'Semma pasi' (Awesome/Great hunger) to mean they are extremely hungry, influenced by the use of 'semma' as a general intensifier. Hunger is a recurring theme in 'realistic' Tamil cinema, often used to depict the struggles of the marginalized, making the phrase emotionally charged in certain contexts.
Use the Spoken Form
If you want to sound like a local, always say 'Pasikkuthu' instead of 'Pasikkirathu'.
Avoid 'Naan'
Never start this sentence with 'Naan'. It's the most obvious sign of a beginner mistake.
Signification
Stating that one needs food.
Use the Spoken Form
If you want to sound like a local, always say 'Pasikkuthu' instead of 'Pasikkirathu'.
Avoid 'Naan'
Never start this sentence with 'Naan'. It's the most obvious sign of a beginner mistake.
The 'Saappittiya' Rule
If someone asks 'Saappittiya?' and you are hungry, it's okay to say 'Innum illai, enakku pasikkuthu'.
Intensity
Add 'Romba' (very) before 'pasikkirathu' to show you need food immediately.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct way to say 'I am hungry' in Tamil.
Which of these is correct?
You must use the dative 'எனக்கு' and the neuter verb ending '-கிறது'.
Fill in the blank with the correct pronoun form.
______ பசிக்கிறது. (I am hungry)
'Enakku' is the dative form of 'I', required for this expression.
Complete the dialogue.
Friend: 'சாப்பிடலாமா?' (Shall we eat?) You: 'ஆமாம், எனக்கு ரொம்ப _________.'
'Pasikkirathu' is the standard verb form to complete the sentence.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'வயிறு காயுது' to the correct context.
'Vayiru kaayuthu' is a slang/informal way to say you are starving.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
The Hunger Family
Verbs
- • Pasikkirathu
- • Saappidu
- • Rusikkirathu
Nouns
- • Pasi
- • Saappaadu
- • Vayiru
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesWhich of these is correct?
You must use the dative 'எனக்கு' and the neuter verb ending '-கிறது'.
______ பசிக்கிறது. (I am hungry)
'Enakku' is the dative form of 'I', required for this expression.
Friend: 'சாப்பிடலாமா?' (Shall we eat?) You: 'ஆமாம், எனக்கு ரொம்ப _________.'
'Pasikkirathu' is the standard verb form to complete the sentence.
Match 'வயிறு காயுது' to the correct context.
'Vayiru kaayuthu' is a slang/informal way to say you are starving.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIn Tamil, feelings and physical states use the dative case ('to me') because you are the recipient of the feeling, not the doer of an action.
It's not slang, but it is the standard colloquial form used by everyone in daily life. 'Pasikkirathu' is the formal/written version.
You say 'எனக்கு பசிக்கவில்லை' (Enakku pasikkavillai).
No, for thirst you use 'எனக்கு தாகமாக இருக்கிறது' (Enakku thagamaga irukkirathu).
The past tense is 'எனக்கு பசித்தது' (Enakku pasithathu), meaning 'I was hungry'.
It's not rude, but it's very direct. With close friends/family it's fine. With strangers, wait for them to offer.
You can say 'எனக்கு ரொம்ப ரொம்ப பசிக்குது' or the idiom 'வயிறு காயுது'.
No! It's always 'pasikkirathu' regardless of who is hungry, because 'hunger' is the subject.
Yes, e.g., 'நாய்க்கு பசிக்கிறது' (The dog is hungry).
'Pasi' is the noun for 'hunger'.
Ask 'உனக்கு பசிக்கிறதா?' (Unakku pasikkirathaa?).
In very casual settings, just saying 'Pasiக்குது' (Pasikkuthu) is enough.
Expressions liées
தாகமாக இருக்கிறது
similarI am thirsty
வயிறு நிறைந்தது
contrastStomach is full
சாப்பிட வேண்டும்
builds onI want to eat
பசி தீர்ந்தது
specialized formHunger is satisfied
