-ஆ

Tamil

Etymology 1

From ஆ (ā), alternative form of ஆகு (āku).

Suffix

-ஆ • (-ā)

1. forms adverbs from nouns, or adjectives

Etymology 2

Inherited from Proto-Dravidian *-ā.

Suffix

-ஆ • (-ā)

1. interrogative suffix

   அது சென்னைக் கடற்கரையா?

   atu ceṉṉaik kaṭaṟkaraiyā?

   Is that a Chennai beach?

Etymology 3

Inherited from Proto-Dravidian *-aH ~ *-āH.

Suffix

-ஆ • (-ā)

1. negation suffix, forms negative adverbs and adjectives from verbs

   Example:

   ‎அஞ்சு (añcu, “to fear”) + ‎-ஆ (-ā) → ‎அஞ்சா (añcā, “fearless”).

   ‎தாங்கு (tāṅku, “to bear, withstand”) + ‎-ஆ (-ā) → ‎தாங்கா (tāṅkā, “unbearable”).

Derived terms

Tamil terms suffixed with -ஆ