Significado
Stating that one needs water.
Contexto cultural
It is common to see 'Thanneer Pandhals' during festivals where free water and spiced buttermilk (neer mor) are served to everyone. In Sri Lanka, the word 'தண்ணித் தாகம்' (thanni thākam) is often used as a compound noun to mean 'water-thirst'. In villages, offering a 'chembu' (metal pot) of water is the first act of hospitality before even asking the guest's name. With the rise of bottled water, people might specify 'mineral water' or 'cool water' (jillunu thanni) when they are thirsty.
The 'Irukku' Shortcut
Always use 'irukku' instead of 'irukkiraṯu' in conversation to sound like a native.
Dative Case is Key
Never start this sentence with 'Naan'. It's the most common beginner mistake.
Significado
Stating that one needs water.
The 'Irukku' Shortcut
Always use 'irukku' instead of 'irukkiraṯu' in conversation to sound like a native.
Dative Case is Key
Never start this sentence with 'Naan'. It's the most common beginner mistake.
Accepting Water
If someone offers water when you say this, it's polite to take at least a small sip.
Related Sensations
The same pattern works for 'pasi' (hunger) and 'kulir' (cold). Learn one, get three for free!
Teste-se
Choose the correct way to say 'I am thirsty' in Tamil.
Which of these is grammatically correct?
Tamil uses the dative 'Enakku' and the neuter verb 'irukkiraṯu' for thirst.
Fill in the blank with the correct dative pronoun.
____ தாகமாக இருக்கிறது. (I am thirsty.)
'Enakku' is the dative form of 'I', required for this expression.
Complete the dialogue.
Waiter: உங்களுக்கு என்ன வேண்டும்? Learner: எனக்கு ____ இருக்கிறது, தண்ணீர் கொடுங்கள்.
Since the learner is asking for water (thannir), they must be thirsty (thākamāka).
Match the Tamil phrase to its English meaning.
Match the following:
All these use the same dative structure for physical/emotional states.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosWhich of these is grammatically correct?
Tamil uses the dative 'Enakku' and the neuter verb 'irukkiraṯu' for thirst.
____ தாகமாக இருக்கிறது. (I am thirsty.)
'Enakku' is the dative form of 'I', required for this expression.
Waiter: உங்களுக்கு என்ன வேண்டும்? Learner: எனக்கு ____ இருக்கிறது, தண்ணீர் கொடுங்கள்.
Since the learner is asking for water (thannir), they must be thirsty (thākamāka).
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
All these use the same dative structure for physical/emotional states.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIn Tamil, physical sensations and emotions are things that happen to you. Therefore, you use the dative case ('to me') rather than saying 'I am'.
Yes, but you would say 'Arivin mēl thākam' (thirst over knowledge). It is more formal.
Yes, it's a very common colloquial way to say 'I'm getting thirsty'.
Add 'romba' before 'thākam': 'Enakku romba thākamā irukku'.
'Thākam' is the feeling (thirst), 'Thannir' is the substance (water).
It is neutral. You can use it with anyone, from a waiter to your boss.
Change the ending to 'irukkiraṯā?': 'Unakku thākamāka irukkiraṯā?'.
Change 'irukkiraṯu' to 'irunthathu'.
Only in formal writing or news broadcasts. In real life, everyone says 'irukku'.
You can say 'Thanni thākam kolluthu' (Water thirst is killing me) for dramatic effect.
Frases relacionadas
எனக்கு பசியாக இருக்கிறது
similarI am hungry
தாகம் தீர்த்தல்
builds onQuenching thirst
தண்ணீர் தாகம்
specialized formThirst for water
தாகம் எடுக்குது
synonymThirst is occurring
நாக்கு வறண்டுவிட்டது
specialized formTongue has dried up
