Significado
Used when you have had sufficient of something.
Contexto cultural
In a traditional feast (Sadhya), saying 'pōtum' once is rarely enough. Hosts consider it a sign of a good host to insist. You may need to place your hand over your leaf to truly stop them. The concept of 'contentment' (pōtum eṉṟa maṉam) is a recurring theme in Tamil ethical literature like the Tirukkural, though the specific word 'pōtum' evolved later into its current form. Heroic characters often use 'Pōtum!' as a punchline to stop a villain's monologue, signaling the start of an action sequence. In fast-paced cities like Chennai, 'pōtum' is used frequently in traffic or crowded public transport to tell someone to stop pushing or to signal the bus conductor.
The Hand Gesture
Always pair 'pōtum' with a flat palm gesture when declining food to be extra clear and polite.
Tone Matters
A rising intonation (Pōtumā?) makes it a question. A falling, sharp intonation (Pōtum!) can sound like a command.
Significado
Used when you have had sufficient of something.
The Hand Gesture
Always pair 'pōtum' with a flat palm gesture when declining food to be extra clear and polite.
Tone Matters
A rising intonation (Pōtumā?) makes it a question. A falling, sharp intonation (Pōtum!) can sound like a command.
Double it up
Saying 'Pōtum, pōtum' quickly is a very native way to show you are genuinely satisfied and don't need any more insistence.
The 'Polite Refusal'
Even if you want more, it's common to say 'pōtum' first, wait for the host to insist, and then accept. It's a social dance!
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'enough'.
எனக்கு இந்த காபி _______. (Eṉakku inta kāpi _______.)
The sentence means 'This coffee is enough for me.'
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct way to say 'Enough of playing'.
You must use the verbal noun 'விளையாடியது' with 'போதும்'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Someone is pouring too much water into your glass.
'Pōtum' is the standard way to stop someone from pouring.
Complete the dialogue.
A: இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் சாதம் போடவா? B: _______, வயிறு நிறைந்துவிட்டது.
B says their stomach is full, so they should say 'enough'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosஎனக்கு இந்த காபி _______. (Eṉakku inta kāpi _______.)
The sentence means 'This coffee is enough for me.'
Choose the correct way to say 'Enough of playing'.
You must use the verbal noun 'விளையாடியது' with 'போதும்'.
Situation: Someone is pouring too much water into your glass.
'Pōtum' is the standard way to stop someone from pouring.
A: இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் சாதம் போடவா? B: _______, வயிறு நிறைந்துவிட்டது.
B says their stomach is full, so they should say 'enough'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot at all, as long as your tone is neutral. It's the standard way to say 'no more'.
No, you wouldn't say 'You are enough' using 'pōtum'. You would use 'pōtumāṉavar'.
'Pōrum' is the colloquial, spoken version. 'Pōtum' is the standard written and formal version.
Use 'pōtātu' (formal) or 'pōtalai' (informal).
Yes, to indicate that a point has been covered or a resource is sufficient.
No, it is a defective verb and stays the same for all subjects.
உன் பொய்கள் போதும் (Uṉ poykaḷ pōtum).
Usually, 'pōtum' is used for the present/future. For the past, we use 'pōtumāṉatāka iruntatu'.
Yes, to tell them to stop at a specific spot, though 'niruṭṭu' (stop) is more common.
The opposite is 'vēṇṭum' (want/need) or 'pōtātu' (not enough).
Frases relacionadas
போதாது
contrastNot enough
போதுமானது
specialized formSufficient
நிறுத்து
similarStop
திருப்தி
similarSatisfaction
சலிப்பு
builds onBoredom/Fed up
