Language/Tamil/Grammar/Adverbs

Tamil Grammar → Adjectives and Adverbs → Adverbs

As we continue our language journey in Tamil, we come across the usage of adverbs in sentences. In this lesson, we will explore the definition and usage of adverbs in Tamil language.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: Past tense & 0 to A1 Course.

Adverbs

Adverbs are words that modify or describe verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. They provide information about how, when, where, how much, and to what extent an action is done.

For example:

• அவன் படிக்க நேரம் நீளம் ஆகிறது. (avan paṭikka nēram nīḷam ākiṟatu) - He studies for a long time.

In the above sentence, "நேரம் நீளம்" (nēram nīḷam) is the adverb describing the duration of time for the action being done.

Adverbs in Tamil can be formed from some adjectives by adding the suffix "-அவம்" (avam).

For example:

Tamil	Pronunciation	English
தூண்களாவியான	tūṇkaḷāviyāṉ	slowly
உடையவராவியான	uṭaiyavirāviyāṉ	easily
வேலையாடியான	vēlaiyāṭiyāṉ	hard-working

In the above table, the adjectives "தூண்களாவியான" (tūṇkaḷāviyāṉ), "உடையவராவியான" (uṭaiyavirāviyāṉ), and "வேலையாடியான" (vēlaiyāṭiyāṉ) have been changed into adverbs by adding the suffix "-அவம்" (avam).

Other common adverbs in Tamil are:

• பிறகு (piṟaku) - later
• முன்னுரையில் (muṉṉuraiyil) - previously
• இப்போது (ippōtu) - now
• எங்கு (eṅku) - where
• எப்போது (epōtu) - when
• எவ்வளவு (evvaḷavu) - how much

Usage of Adverbs

Adverbs can be used in several ways in Tamil language:

1. Modification of a Verb

Adverbs are often used to modify verbs in Tamil sentences to describe the manner or degree of the action being done.

For example:

• அவன் சாபம் வெறுக்கட்டும் போது அவன் மெதுவான வார்த்தைகளை பதிகினான். (avan cāpam veṟukkaṭṭum pōtu avan metuvāṉa vārttaikaḷai pathigināṉ) - When he gets angry, he speaks loudly.

In the above sentence, "வெறுக்கட்டும் போது" (veṟukkaṭṭum pōtu) is the adverb modifying the verb "சாபம்" (cāpam) to indicate the time period for that action. "மெதுவான" (metuvāṉa) is the other adverb, modifying the verb "பதிகினான்" (pathigināṉ) to describe the degree of action.

2. Modification of an Adjective

Adverbs can also modify adjectives in Tamil sentences.

For example:

• அவள் இனிமையான நடையில் முன்னிருந்து தூண்களாவியான இருக்கிறாள். (avaḷ iṉimaiyāṉa naṭaiyil muṉṉiruntu tūṇkaḷāviyāṉ irukkiṟāḷ) - She walks slowly and gracefully.

In the above sentence, "தூண்களாவியான" (tūṇkaḷāviyāṉ) is the adverb modifying the adjective "இனிமையான" (iṉimaiyāṉ) to describe the manner in which the action of walking is done.

3. Modification of another Adverb

Adverbs can also modify other adverbs.

For example:

• அவள் கடினமான பரிதானம் முன் போகின்ற மேல் சிக்கியது. (avaḷ kaṭinamāṉa paridhāṉam muṉ pōkiṉṟa mēl cikkiyadhu) - She was held up due to the heavy traffic on her way.

In the above sentence, "போகின்ற மேல்" (pōkiṉṟa mēl) is the adverb modifying "சிக்கியது" (cikkiyadhu), which is also the other adverb, to indicate the time of action.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we learned about adverbs, their usage in Tamil language and how they modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. With practice, you will be able to create sentences using adverbs in Tamil and enrich your language skills.

Sources

• Adverbs | Learn English Grammar Through Tamil | Spoken English ...
• Tamil Grammar - Adjective and Adverb Relationships
• [TAMIL - LESSON 5 - Parts of Speech - Part 3 | What is an adverb ...]
• Tamil Adverbs

Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Adjective (பெயரடை) & Questions.

Table of Contents - Tamil Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Tamil Grammar

• Tamil Script and Pronunciation
• Nouns and Pronouns

  ---

Daily Life Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Time
• Food and Drink
• Family and Relationships
• Travel and Transportation

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense

  ---

Profession and Work Vocabulary

• Jobs and Professions
• Office and Workplace
• Business Communication

  ---

Tamil Culture and Customs

• Festivals and Celebrations
• Art and Music
• Cuisine and Eating Habits
• Tamil Cinema

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

  ---

Health and Fitness Vocabulary

• Body Parts and Symptoms
• Physical Fitness and Exercise

  ---

Cases and Postpositions

• Nominative and Accusative Cases
• Postpositions

  ---

Nature, Environment and Wildlife Vocabulary

• Flora and Fauna
• Environment and Pollution

  ---

Tamil Literature and History

• Sangam Literature
• Chola Empire

  ---

Negation and Interrogation

• Negation
• Interrogation

Other Lessons

• Tamil Finite Verbs Conjugation
• Conditional Mood
• Future Tense
• Future Tense எதிர்காலம்
• 0 to A1 Course
• Postpositions
• Personal Pronouns
• Interrogation
• That, This, and Question Words
• How to Use Be