The Present Relative Participle (-kira)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The -kira suffix turns a verb into an adjective, allowing you to describe nouns using ongoing actions.
- Add -kira to the verb root to create a present-tense modifier: 'padikkira' (studying).
- Place the modified verb directly before the noun it describes: 'padikkira paiyan' (the studying boy).
- This form does not change based on gender, number, or person of the noun it modifies.
Present Relative Participle Formation
| Verb Root | Suffix | Participle | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Paadu
|
kira
|
Paadugira
|
Singing
|
|
Odu
|
kira
|
Odugira
|
Running
|
|
Siri
|
kira
|
Sirikkira
|
Laughing
|
|
Padi
|
kira
|
Padikkira
|
Studying
|
|
Pesu
|
kira
|
Pesugira
|
Speaking
|
|
Varu
|
kira
|
Varugira
|
Coming
|
Meanings
The present relative participle is used to create relative clauses that describe a noun with an action happening in the present.
Ongoing Action
Describes a noun currently performing an action.
“ஓடுகிற நாய் (Oodugira naai) - The running dog.”
“பாடுகிற பெண் (Paadugira pen) - The singing girl.”
Habitual Action
Describes a noun that habitually performs an action.
“தினமும் வருகிற விருந்தாளி (Dhinamum varugira virundhaali) - The guest who comes daily.”
“எப்போதும் சிரிக்கிற நண்பன் (Eppodhum sirikkira nanban) - The friend who always laughs.”
General Truth
Describes a noun in relation to a general fact.
“உயிரைக் கொடுக்கிற காற்று (Uyirai kodukkira kaatru) - The air that gives life.”
“ஒளி தருகிற சூரியன் (Oli tharugira sooriyan) - The sun that gives light.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Root + kira
|
Padikkira paiyan
|
|
Negative
|
Root + aadha
|
Padikkaadha paiyan
|
|
Question
|
Participle + Noun + aa?
|
Idhu padikkira paiyanaa?
|
|
Habitual
|
Root + kira
|
Eppodhum sirikkira nanban
|
|
Ongoing
|
Root + kira
|
Odugira naai
|
Espectro de formalidade
படிக்கின்ற மாணவன் (Padikkindra maanavan) (General)
படிக்கிற பையன் (Padikkira paiyan) (General)
படிக்கிற பையன் (Padikkira paiyan) (General)
படிக்கிற பையன் (Padikkira paiyan) (General)
The -kira Bridge
Action
- Paadu Sing
Modifier
- Paadugira Singing
Noun
- Pen Girl
Participle vs. Continuous
Exemplos por nível
ஓடுகிற நாய்
The running dog
பாடுகிற பெண்
The singing girl
சிரிக்கிற குழந்தை
The laughing baby
பேசுகிற கிளி
The talking parrot
வேலை செய்கிற மனிதன்
The working man
நல்லா படிக்கிற மாணவன்
The student who studies well
எப்போதும் சிரிக்கிற நண்பன்
The friend who always laughs
தினமும் வருகிற விருந்தாளி
The guest who comes daily
மகிழ்ச்சி தருகிற செய்தி
The news that gives happiness
உயிரைக் கொடுக்கிற காற்று
The air that gives life
அதிகம் எரிக்கிற மிளகாய்
The chili that is very spicy
வேகமாக ஓடுகிற வண்டி
The vehicle that is running fast
அரசாங்கம் வழங்குகிற சலுகைகள்
The benefits provided by the government
எதிர்காலத்தை மாற்றுகிற தொழில்நுட்பம்
The technology that changes the future
மனதை அமைதிப்படுத்துகிற இசை
The music that calms the mind
சமூகத்தை மேம்படுத்துகிற திட்டம்
The plan that improves society
வரலாற்றைப் பிரதிபலிக்கிற இலக்கியம்
The literature that reflects history
தத்துவத்தை விளக்குகிற உரை
The speech that explains philosophy
விதியை மாற்றுகிற செயல்
The action that changes fate
அறிவை வளர்க்கிற புத்தகம்
The book that grows knowledge
காலத்தை வென்றெடுக்கிற கலை
The art that conquers time
பிரபஞ்சத்தை ஆளுகிற சக்தி
The power that rules the universe
உண்மையை உணர்த்துகிற அனுபவம்
The experience that reveals the truth
மனிதாபிமானத்தைப் போதிக்கிற பண்பாடு
The culture that teaches humanity
Fácil de confundir
Learners mix up -kira and -kittu irukkira.
Learners use -kira for past events.
Learners put the participle at the end of the sentence.
Erros comuns
Paiyan padikkira
Padikkira paiyan
Padikkiradhu paiyan
Padikkira paiyan
Padikkiraargal paiyan
Padikkira paiyan
Padikkira paiyans
Padikkira paiyan
Paditha paiyan (when meaning present)
Padikkira paiyan
Padikkira irukkira paiyan
Padikkira paiyan
Padikkira-aa paiyan
Padikkira paiyan
Pesugira-gal pen
Pesugira pen
Varugira-dhu bus
Varugira bus
Sirikkira-vargal nanban
Sirikkira nanban
Using -kira for future
Use future participle
Overusing -kira in formal text
Use appropriate literary forms
Misplacing the participle in long sentences
Keep it close to the noun
Padrões de frases
___ (verb) + kira + ___ (noun)
Idhu ___ (verb) + kira + ___ (noun)-aa?
___ (noun) + ___ (verb) + kira + ___ (noun) + thaan.
___ (adjective) + ___ (verb) + kira + ___ (noun) + irukkiradhu.
Real World Usage
Padikkira paiyan photo.
Varugira bus.
Velai seigira company.
Pogira vazhi.
Erikkira milagai.
Nadakkira sambavam.
Keep it simple
Watch the order
Use it for habits
Formal vs Informal
Smart Tips
Use -kira to turn the verb into a trait.
Use -kira instead of a relative clause.
Use -kindra instead of -kira.
Remember: -kira (present), -ndha (past), -um (future).
Pronúncia
Kira vs Kindra
In formal writing, 'kindra' is often used instead of 'kira'.
Rising at the end
Padikkira paiyanaa? ↑
Indicates a question.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Kira is the key, it unlocks the noun to show what it's doing.
Associação visual
Imagine a sticker with the word 'Kira' on it. You stick it onto a verb, and it turns into a handle that you can attach to any noun.
Rhyme
Add kira to the root, to make the noun follow suit.
Story
Imagine a boy named Ravi. He is always studying. You call him 'Padikkira Ravi'. Then he starts singing, so he becomes 'Paadugira Ravi'. Finally, he starts running, so he is 'Odugira Ravi'.
Word Web
Desafio
Look around your room and name three things using the -kira form (e.g., 'working fan', 'shining light').
Notas culturais
In Chennai, you will often hear 'oodura' instead of 'odugira'. The 'g' sound is often dropped in rapid speech.
Madurai speakers might use more emphatic forms, but the core -kira remains the same.
In formal literature, you will almost always see 'kindra' instead of 'kira'.
The -kira suffix evolved from the present tense marker in Middle Tamil.
Iniciadores de conversa
What is the boy doing?
Do you know the girl who is singing?
What do you think about the news that is coming?
How do you describe the technology that is changing the world?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
___ (Padi) paiyan.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Paiyan padikkira.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
The running dog.
Answer starts with: Odu...
Siri (laugh) -> ?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Who is that? B: That is the ___ (sing) girl.
Score: /8
Exercicios praticos
8 exercises___ (Padi) paiyan.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Paiyan padikkira.
paiyan / padikkira / the
The running dog.
Siri (laugh) -> ?
Paadu -> ?
A: Who is that? B: That is the ___ (sing) girl.
Score: /8
Perguntas frequentes (8)
No, it is invariant.
No, use -ndha for past.
Yes, but often as -kindra.
Use -aadha.
No, -kira is a modifier, -kittu irukkira is continuous.
No, use the future participle.
Yes, it is very common.
The rule remains the same.
Scaffolded Practice
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2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Participio presente
Tamil uses a single suffix; Spanish uses multiple words.
Participe présent
Tamil's form is invariant.
Partizip I
German requires complex declension.
Rentai-kei
Japanese has different verb classes.
Ism al-fa'il
Arabic is root-based; Tamil is suffix-based.
De (的) construction
Chinese 'de' is a particle; Tamil -kira is a suffix.
