Signification
Asking for identity.
Contexte culturel
Directly asking 'Who are you?' (Nee yar?) can be seen as aggressive. It's often better to ask 'Who are you looking for?' (Yarai thedugirirgal?) if a stranger is at your door. In Sri Lanka, 'ஆர்' (Ār) is more frequently heard in casual speech than in mainland India, where 'யாரு' (Yāru) dominates. The question 'Who is he?' is a classic trope used to build suspense before a hero's action sequence. It's often delivered with a mix of fear and awe by villains. The inquiry 'Naan Yar?' (Who am I?) is a profound meditative practice popularized by Ramana Maharshi in Tiruvannamalai.
The 'U' Rule
When speaking, always add a small 'u' at the end (Yaaru) to sound like a local.
Respect Matters
Avoid asking 'Nee Yar?' to anyone older than you. It sounds like a challenge.
Signification
Asking for identity.
The 'U' Rule
When speaking, always add a small 'u' at the end (Yaaru) to sound like a local.
Respect Matters
Avoid asking 'Nee Yar?' to anyone older than you. It sounds like a challenge.
Doubling for Plural
To ask 'Who all are there?', you can double the word: 'Yar yar?'
Relationship First
If someone asks who you are, it's often more polite to state your relationship to a mutual friend than just your name.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Who'.
அங்கே நிற்பது ___?
Since we are asking about a person standing there, 'யார்' (Who) is correct.
Choose the correct translation for 'Whose bag is this?'.
இது ___ பை?
'யாருடைய' is the genitive (possessive) form meaning 'Whose'.
Match the question to the situation.
Someone knocks on your door. What do you say?
'யார் அது?' means 'Who is it?', which is the standard response to a knock.
Complete the dialogue.
A: உங்கள் தந்தை ___? B: என் தந்தை ஒரு மருத்துவர்.
The question asks 'Who is your father?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Human vs Non-Human Questions
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesஅங்கே நிற்பது ___?
Since we are asking about a person standing there, 'யார்' (Who) is correct.
இது ___ பை?
'யாருடைய' is the genitive (possessive) form meaning 'Whose'.
Someone knocks on your door. What do you say?
'யார் அது?' means 'Who is it?', which is the standard response to a knock.
A: உங்கள் தந்தை ___? B: என் தந்தை ஒரு மருத்துவர்.
The question asks 'Who is your father?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt is both! You can use it for one person or a group. For a group, you can also say 'யார் யார்' for emphasis.
Technically no. Use 'எது' (Ethu). However, if you are talking to the cat like a person, you might say 'யாருடா இது?' (Who is this?) affectionately.
'யார்' is standard and common. 'யாவர்' is very formal, literary, and specifically plural/honorific.
Use 'யாருடைய' (Yārudaiya).
Use 'யாருக்கு' (Yārukku).
No, it's just the standard spoken form. It's perfectly acceptable in all but the most formal speeches.
This is a very casual, slightly rude way to say 'Who is this guy?'. 'Ra' is a casual suffix.
By itself, no. You need to add '-um' to make it 'யாரும்' (anyone/no one).
Say 'யார் பேசறது?' (Yār pēsarathu?).
Yes, many couplets use 'யார்' to discuss human nature and conduct.
It means 'someone' (unknown).
Yes, 'யார்' is used for all humans regardless of age.
Expressions liées
யாரோ
similarSomeone / Somebody
யாரும்
similarAnyone / No one
யாவர்
specialized formWho (Formal/Plural)
எது
contrastWhich / What
எவன்
specialized formWho (Masculine/Informal)
