Signification
Expressing a need or desire
Contexte culturel
Directness is often softened. Instead of just saying 'I want', people often add 'koñcam' (a little) to sound more polite, even if they want a lot! In Sri Lanka, the pronunciation of 'vendum' is often crisper, and 'tēvai' is used more frequently in daily speech than in India. Tamil speakers here often mix English nouns with 'vendum'. It is very common to hear 'Enakku break வேண்டும்' or 'Enakku leave வேண்டும்'. In some specific community dialects, 'vendum' might be pronounced as 'vōṇum' or 'vōṇu'.
The Spoken Shortcut
Always use 'vēṇum' in shops. Using 'vēṇṭum' makes you sound like a 1950s movie character.
The Dative Trap
Never start with 'Naan'. If you do, the listener will wait for you to finish a different sentence.
Signification
Expressing a need or desire
The Spoken Shortcut
Always use 'vēṇum' in shops. Using 'vēṇṭum' makes you sound like a 1950s movie character.
The Dative Trap
Never start with 'Naan'. If you do, the listener will wait for you to finish a different sentence.
Polite Refusal
If someone offers you more food, say 'Vēṇṭām, pōtum' (I don't want, it's enough).
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'I' (To me) to complete the sentence.
_______ ஒரு பேனா வேண்டும். (I want a pen.)
In Tamil, 'want' requires the dative case 'எனக்கு' (Enakku).
Which of these is the correct way to say 'I don't want'?
எனக்கு காபி ________.
'Vēṇṭām' is the unique negative form of 'vēṇṭum'.
Complete the restaurant dialogue.
Waiter: உங்களுக்கு என்ன வேண்டும்? Learner: எனக்கு ஒரு தோசை _______.
When ordering food, 'vendum' is the appropriate word to express what you want.
Match the Tamil sentence to the correct situation.
1. எனக்கு உதவி வேண்டும். 2. எனக்குப் போக வேண்டும். 3. எனக்கு இது வேண்டும்.
Utavi = Help, Pōka = To go, Itu = This.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices_______ ஒரு பேனா வேண்டும். (I want a pen.)
In Tamil, 'want' requires the dative case 'எனக்கு' (Enakku).
எனக்கு காபி ________.
'Vēṇṭām' is the unique negative form of 'vēṇṭum'.
Waiter: உங்களுக்கு என்ன வேண்டும்? Learner: எனக்கு ஒரு தோசை _______.
When ordering food, 'vendum' is the appropriate word to express what you want.
1. எனக்கு உதவி வேண்டும். 2. எனக்குப் போக வேண்டும். 3. எனக்கு இது வேண்டும்.
Utavi = Help, Pōka = To go, Itu = This.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! When you put it after a verb's infinitive, it means 'must' or 'should'. E.g., 'Nee vara vendum' (You must come).
It is neutral. To be extra polite, use 'Uṅkaḷ utavi tēvai' (Your help is required) or 'Mudiyumā?' (Is it possible?).
'Vendum' is a need or a request for an item. 'Aasai' is a desire or a wish. You 'vendum' a pen, but you 'aasai' to travel the world.
Just add 'aa' to the end: 'Vēṇumā?' (Do you want?).
Tamil is a verb-final language. The action or state (wanting) always wraps up the thought.
Yes: 'Naan doctor āka vēṇṭum.' (I want to become a doctor).
No. Because it is a modal verb, it stays the same for 'I', 'We', 'You', 'They', etc.
Use 'vēṇṭiyiruñtatu'. It's a bit of a mouthful for A1, but very useful!
No, but it's often used where English would use 'please'. For 'please', use 'thayavu seithu'.
In a romantic sense, 'Enakku unnai vēṇṭum' is used in songs, but 'Unnai piṭikkum' (I like you) is more common in real life.
Expressions liées
எனக்குத் தேவை
similarI need / It is required
எனக்கு ஆசை
similarI desire / I have a wish
எனக்கு வேண்டாம்
contrastI don't want
எனக்கு பிடிக்கும்
similarI like
