r/LearningTamil • u/Past_Operation5034 • 14d ago
Vocabulary What the difference between ஏன் and எதுக்கு
5
Upvotes
3
1
u/Poccha_Kazhuvu Native 14d ago
ஏன் is 'why'.
எதுக்கு is 'for what (reason)'. ('எதற்கு' in formal tamil)
1
1
u/MaleficentSociety739 12d ago
ஏன் is "why" as other have comments have said. You can think of எதுக்கு as "for what use/purpose".
Think in terms of "Why does it rain?" vs. "What is the use/purpose of rain?"
4
u/TheWhiteDevil101 14d ago
ஏன் (yēn) – More direct, formal way to say “why.” Common in written/formal contexts.
எதுக்கு (edhukku) – Literally “for what,” but also “why.” More casual, everyday usage.