திரு

Tamil

Etymology

Inherited from Old Tamil 𑀢𑀺𑀭𑀼 (tiru), cognate with Malayalam തിരു (tiru). Possibly from Sanskrit श्री (śrī), and if so, a doublet of ஶ்ரீ (śrī).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /t̪ɪɾʊ/, [t̪ɪɾɯ]
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

திரு • (tiru)

  1. (honorific) Mister, Mr.
    Synonyms: ஐயா (aiyā), சார் (cār)
    Coordinate term: திருமதி (tirumati)
    திரு கமல் இதை தான் சொல்லியிருக்கிறார்.
    tiru kamal itai tāṉ colliyirukkiṟār.
    This is what Mr. Kamal has said.

Usage notes

  • It always comes before a person's name, never after it. This is in contrast to ஐயா (aiyā) or சார் (cār) which are placed after someone's name.

Adjective

திரு • (tiru)

  1. holy, sacred
    Synonym: ஶ்ரீ (śrī)
  2. honourable, respectable
  3. pure, untainted

Derived terms

Descendants

  • Telugu: తిరు (tiru)

See also

References

  • University of Madras (1924–1936), “திரு”, in Tamil Lexicon, Madras [Chennai]: Diocesan Press