200 Essential Tamil Words – Part 3: Avanga (He/She/They)
Welcome! I’m Meenakshi, your guide to Colloquial Tamil.
Today, we continue our “200 Essential Tamil Words” series with another fundamental word: “Avanga” (He/She/They).
In Tamil, pronouns can be slightly different from English, and “Avanga” is an important word that carries both singular and plural meanings depending on the context. Let’s dive in!
What Does “Avanga” (அவர்கள்) Mean?
“Avanga” (அவர்கள்) literally means “they,” but in spoken Tamil, it is often used as a polite way to say “he” or “she.”
Use “Avanga” when speaking about:
- A single person in a respectful or formal way
- Someone older, in a professional setting, or when showing politeness
- A group of people (“they”) in its original plural sense
In informal situations, you might hear “Avan” (அவன்) for “he” and “Ava” (அவள்) for “she.” However, when in doubt, using “Avanga” is the safest and most respectful choice!
For foreign speakers learning Tamil, using “Avanga” instead of “Avan” or “Ava” will help create a positive impression.
Example Sentences
Avanga Study Pandranga (அவர்கள் ஸ்டடி பண்ண்றாங்க)
Meaning: He/She/They study.
Avanga Kaar Drive Pandranga (அவர்கள் கார் டிரைவ் பண்ண்றாங்க) Meaning: He/She/They drive a car.
In these sentences, “Avanga” makes the sentence polite, and the verb ends with “-ranga” to match the subject.
Why “Avanga” is an Essential Word
Using “Avanga” helps you sound more respectful and natural in Tamil conversations.
Since Tamil culture places importance on politeness and formal speech, learning when to use “Avanga” versus “Avan” or “Ava” is a key part of speaking naturally.
Stay Tuned for the Next Word!
This is just one of the many essential Tamil words you’ll need for real conversations.
In the next lesson, we’ll introduce another key word to improve your Tamil fluency!
See you in the next lesson! 
