200 Essential Tamil Words – Part 5: Idhu (This) & Adhu (That)
Welcome! I’m Meenakshi, your guide to Colloquial Tamil.
Today, we continue our “200 Essential Tamil Words” series with two fundamental demonstrative pronouns: “Idhu” (This) and “Adhu” (That).
These words are used frequently in daily Tamil conversations and are essential for forming basic sentences.
Understanding how they work will help you speak Tamil more naturally!
What Do “Idhu” (இது) and “Adhu” (அது) Mean?
✅ “Idhu” (இது) = “This” (used when referring to something nearby)
✅ “Adhu” (அது) = “That” (used when referring to something farther away)
In Tamil, these words are used to point out objects, ideas, or situations.
They function similarly to their English equivalents, making them easy to remember and use.
Understanding Verb Usage with “Idhu” and “Adhu”
Tamil does not have a direct equivalent for “is” like in English. Instead, the verb “Irukku” (இருக்கு) is commonly used to describe a state or condition.
In written Tamil, the verb changes slightly to “Irukkiradhu” (இருக்கிறது) instead of “Irukku.”
This is an example of the difference between spoken and literary Tamil that learners should be aware of.
Example Sentences
✅ Idhu Azhagaa Irukku (இது அழகா இருக்கு)
👉 Meaning: This is beautiful.
✅ Adhu Nalla Irukku (அது நல்ல இருக்கு)
👉 Meaning: That is good.
In both sentences, “Irukku” acts as a linking verb to express a state or condition, similar to “is” in English.
Why “Idhu” and “Adhu” Are Essential in Tamil Conversations
✅ They are fundamental for identifying and describing things.
✅ They help you form complete sentences and express observations.
✅ Learning their spoken and written forms improves overall Tamil fluency.
Mastering “Idhu” and “Adhu” is a key step in building your Tamil vocabulary and speaking with confidence!
Stay Tuned for the Next Word!
These are just two 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! 😊
