6. Subject Pronouns – Learning Tamil

What does ‘near’ mean?
When he/she/they/those pronouns begin with a -இ, the subjects are close-by or proximate to the speaker. For example, அவன் means he, while இவன் refers to he who is close-by.
What’s the difference between நீ and நீங்கள்?
நீ is informal and singular. In some dialects of Tamil it might be considered rude or impolite. நீங்கள் is used to show respect (some Tamil speakers will expect you to use it when talking to elders, teachers and others thought to have authority). நீங்கள் can also be used to mean you (in the plural form) as in ‘you all’ or ‘all of you’ or ‘you guys/folk/people.’
What’s the difference between அவர் and அவள்?
அவர் is a more respectful form of him/her. It can refer to individuals of any gender.
Why is நாங்கள் considered inclusive?
நாங்கள் is an inclusive form of ‘we’ because it includes both the speaker and the person being spoken to. நாம் is exclusive because it excludes the person being spoken to. For the purpose of this course we will consider நாங்கள் and நாம் synonymous.
Are அவை and அவைகள் the same?
Yes. Both refer to inanimate objects and/or animals in the plural. In practice அவைகள் is rarely used. Speakers may say அதுகள் or இதுகள் colloquially to mean the same thing.