What is a Noun?
A noun (பெயர்ச்சொல்) is a word that names something, such as a person, place, thing, or idea. In Tamil grammar, nouns are fundamental building blocks of sentences. The most important classification of Tamil nouns is based on whether they refer to humans/celestials (rational beings) or non-humans (irrational beings). This distinction directly affects verb conjugation.
Classification of Nouns
உயர்திணை (Uyartiṇai) - Rational Nouns
This category includes humans, gods, and celestial beings. They are considered "rational" or "high class".
Examples: ஆசிரியர் (teacher), மாணவன் (student), ராணி (queen)
Rule: Verbs must agree with this high class. Ex: ஆசிரியர் வந்தார் (The teacher came - respectful).
அஃறிணை (Aḵṟiṇai) - Irrational Nouns
This category includes animals, objects, and abstract ideas. They are considered "irrational" or "other class".
Examples: நாய் (dog), மரம் (tree), அன்பு (love), சென்னை (Chennai)
Rule: Verbs use a different conjugation. Ex: நாய் வந்தது (The dog came).