Personal pronouns. Naan I, nee/neenga you levels. In spoken neenga is most used even for one person respectful. Avan aval he she.

We and possessive. Naanga we exclusive (we but not you), naama we inclusive (we together includes you). Important Tamil distinction English misses.

Pronoun sentences:

• Naan Tamil kathukkaren – I learning Tamil.
• Nee enga pora? Where you going friendly.
• Neenga enga poreenga? Respectful.
• Avan en friend – He is my friend.
• Idhu en book – This my book.
• Naanga veliye porom – We (not you) going out.
• Naama polama? Shall we go inclusive includes you?

Pronunciation Tips:

• Naan – naan with aa long.
• Neenga – neen-gaa with ng.
• Avan aval – a-van a-val short.
• Idhu adhu – i-dhu a-dhu soft dh.
• Naanga naama – difference ga vs ma inclusive exclusive.

Common Mistakes:

• Using naanga when you mean naama inclusive – if you invite, use naama polama shall we go together? Naanga polama means we go without you rude.
• Mixing en vs ena? En my, enna what? En book my book, enna what.
• Avan vs avanga respectful – for elder male say avanga not avan respectful? Avan for friend/younger, avanga respectful he/she.
• Idhu vs adhu – idhu near, adhu far – this vs that.

Cultural Note: Tamil respectful you neenga used even for husband/wife sometimes affection + respect. Avanga respectful they also single respectful person – En appa avanga vanthaanga my dad he came with respect plural verb. Learning naama vs naanga is cultural inclusive society.

Practice:

1. I: Naan student.
2. You respect: Neenga teacher-a?
3. This is: Idhu en veedu.
4. We inclusive: Naama sapdalam shall we eat includes listener?
5. Possessive: En peyar, unga peyar, avanga peyar.