200 Essential Tamil Words – Part 15: Thoongu (Sleep)
Hello! I’m Meenakshi!
In this post from the “200 Essential Tamil Words” series, we’ll introduce the verb:
“Thoongu” (தூங்கு) – meaning “to sleep.”
What is “Thoongu”?
“Thoongu” is used frequently in Tamil to describe when you go to bed.
You’ll often hear it in everyday conversation like “I slept at 11 last night.”
If Tamil numbers are tricky, you can use English numbers with “manikku” (meaning “at ___ o’clock”).
For example, “eleven manikku” = “at 11 o’clock.”
This is very common in spoken Tamil and makes it easier for beginners to talk about time naturally.
Present Tense Examples
✅ “I sleep at 11 o’clock.”
👉 Naan eleven manikku thoongkireen (நான் எலெவன் மணிக்கு தூங்கிறேன்)
✅ “You sleep at 11 o’clock.”
👉 Neenga eleven manikku thoongkireenga (நீங்கள் எலெவன் மணிக்கு தூங்கிறீர்கள்)
✅ “He/She sleeps at 11 o’clock.”
👉 Avanga eleven manikku thoongkiraanga (அவர்கள் எலெவன் மணிக்கு தூங்கிறார்கள்)
✅ “We sleep at 11 o’clock.”
👉 Namma eleven manikku thoongkiroom (நாம் எலெவன் மணிக்கு தூங்கிறோம்)
Past Tense Examples
✅ “I slept at 11 o’clock.”
👉 Naan eleven manikku thoongineen (நான் எலெவன் மணிக்கு தூங்கினேன்)
✅ “You slept at 11 o’clock.”
👉 Neenga eleven manikku thoongineenga (நீங்கள் எலெவன் மணிக்கு தூங்கினீர்கள்)
✅ “He/She slept at 11 o’clock.”
👉 Avanga eleven manikku thoonginaanga (அவர்கள் எலெவன் மணிக்கு தூங்கினாங்க)
✅ “We slept at 11 o’clock.”
👉 Namma eleven manikku thoonginoom (நாம் எலெவன் மணிக்கு தூங்கினோம்)
Summary
“Thoongu” is an essential verb to talk about sleep and bedtime routines.
By combining English numbers + “manikku”, it becomes much easier to express time in Tamil—especially for beginners.
Try using this verb in your daily conversations, and you’ll soon sound more natural in spoken Tamil!
We’ll continue introducing useful and friendly Tamil words—see you next time!
