Signification
Asking for clarification of spoken words.
Contexte culturel
In rural Tamil Nadu, the informal 'sonnāy' might be replaced by even more localized dialects like 'enna sonna?' or 'enna dā sonna?' (adding the casual 'dā' marker for males). Sri Lankan Tamil tends to be more formal and preserves older grammatical structures. You might hear 'Enna sonneer?' as a middle-ground between informal and formal. Tamil speakers here often mix English. You might hear 'Enna sonnāy? Repeat please.' in a casual setting. Second-generation speakers often default to 'Enna?' because they lose the complex conjugation, but 'Enna sonnāy?' remains the gold standard for casual fluency.
The 'Y' Rule
If you want to sound more like a local, don't over-pronounce the 'y' at the end. Just end with a long 'ah' sound.
Elder Alert
Never use this with someone even 5 years older than you unless you are very close. Use 'Enna sonneenga?' to be safe.
Signification
Asking for clarification of spoken words.
The 'Y' Rule
If you want to sound more like a local, don't over-pronounce the 'y' at the end. Just end with a long 'ah' sound.
Elder Alert
Never use this with someone even 5 years older than you unless you are very close. Use 'Enna sonneenga?' to be safe.
Surprise Factor
To show shock, stretch the 'Enna' (Eeeennna sonnāy?!)
Body Language
Often accompanied by a slight head tilt or cupping the hand behind the ear.
Teste-toi
You are talking to your younger brother. Which one is correct?
Hey! ______?
'-āy' is the correct informal singular ending for a younger sibling.
Complete the sentence with the correct past tense form of 'sol' (to say) for 'you' (informal).
மன்னிக்கவும், நீ என்ன ________?
The context 'What did you [just] say' requires the past tense 'sonnāy'.
Match the phrase to the person you are speaking to.
1. Professor, 2. Best Friend
Always use the '-īrkaḷ' ending for professors and '-āy' for friends.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: நாளைக்கு மழை வரும். B: ________? எனக்குக் கேட்கவில்லை.
'Enna' (What) is the correct interrogative for 'what was said'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to ask for clarification
Informal
- • என்ன சொன்னாய்?
- • என்ன சொன்ன?
- • என்னது?
Formal
- • என்ன சொன்னீர்கள்?
- • மன்னிக்கவும்?
- • மீண்டும் சொல்லுங்கள்
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHey! ______?
'-āy' is the correct informal singular ending for a younger sibling.
மன்னிக்கவும், நீ என்ன ________?
The context 'What did you [just] say' requires the past tense 'sonnāy'.
1. Professor, 2. Best Friend
Always use the '-īrkaḷ' ending for professors and '-āy' for friends.
A: நாளைக்கு மழை வரும். B: ________? எனக்குக் கேட்கவில்லை.
'Enna' (What) is the correct interrogative for 'what was said'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsOnly if used with the wrong person (elders/superiors). With friends, it's perfectly normal.
Yes, it's very common in WhatsApp. You can even write it as 'enna sonna?'.
'Enna sonnāy?' asks for the specific words said. 'Ennadhu?' is a general 'What?' or 'What is that?'.
Use 'Enna sonnīrkaḷ?' (என்ன சொன்னீர்கள்?) or more politely 'Mannikkavum, marubadiyum sollunga' (Sorry, say it again).
No, 'sonnāy' is used for both male and female friends.
That is the colloquial spoken form where the final 'y' is dropped for speed.
It's better to say 'Puriyavillai' (I don't understand), but 'Enna sonnāy?' works if you want them to rephrase.
Yes, but they might use 'Enna sonneer?' more frequently in semi-formal contexts.
It is the past tense. It literally means 'What did you say?'.
Say 'Enna solgirāy?' (என்ன சொல்கிறாய்?).
Yes, but it can sound a bit impatient or rude depending on your tone.
Use 'Enna sonnīrkaḷ?' (plural form).
Expressions liées
என்ன சொன்னீர்கள்?
specialized formWhat did you say? (Formal)
என்ன சொல்கிறாய்?
similarWhat are you saying?
மீண்டும் சொல்லுங்கள்
builds onPlease say it again.
புரியவில்லை
similarI don't understand.
என்னது?
synonymWhat is it?
