Decompose
Complete guide to Pirithezuthuga (Word Division) for TNPSC exams. Detailed explanation with 20 examples, rules, practice exercises and important exam tips in Tamil and English.
Learning Content
Pirithezuthuga - Introduction
What is Pirithezuthuga?
Pirithezuthuga (Word Division) is the process of separating two or more words that are combined together in a phrase or sentence. This is one of the most important concepts in Tamil grammar.
Importance of Word Division
- Helps understand the meaning of words clearly
- Helps recognize the grammatical structure of the language
- Direct questions are asked in TNPSC exams
- Helps understand Tamil word formation
Basic Rules
1. Sandhi Rules (Punarchi)
When two words join in Tamil, the last letter of one word and the first letter of another word may change. This is called Punarchi.
Examples:
- kal + arai = kallarai
- sem + mai = semmai
- vaan + ulagu = vaanulagu
2. Division Method
Combined words should be written back to their basic form.
Examples:
- kallarai = kal + arai
- semmai = sem + mai
- vaanulagu = vaan + ulagu
Word Formation
Methods of word formation in Tamil:
- Root Word - Basic word
- Base - Basic form of verb
- Infix - Letter connecting two words
- Suffix - Sound added at the end of word
First 5 Examples
-
palaappazham = palaa + pazham
- Meaning: Jackfruit
-
siruvaan = siru + vaan
- Meaning: Small boy
-
periyoor = periya + oor
- Meaning: Elders
-
karpanai = kal + panai
- Meaning: Imagination
-
murpakal = mun + pakal
- Meaning: Forenoon
Pirithezuthuga - Rules & Types
Types of Sandhi (Punarchi)
Word division involves three types of sandhi:
1. Natural Sandhi (Iyalbu Punarchi)
Letters join without change
Examples:
- maram + il = marathil
- kadal + neer = kadalneer
2. Modified Sandhi (Vikaara Punarchi)
Letters join with changes
Examples:
- vaan + pon = vaanpon
- sem + nel = sennnel
3. Transformed Sandhi (Thiribu Punarchi)
Letters transform to different forms while joining
Examples:
- nal + maram = nanmaram
- in + pam = impam
Compound Letter Sandhi Rules
First Rule: Consonant Modification
When a consonant comes before a vowel, it becomes a compound letter.
Examples:
6. karumbu = karum + pu
- Meaning: Sugarcane plant
- vennmai = venn + mai
- Meaning: White color
Second Rule: Short 'U' Sound
Some words have the short 'u' sound.
Examples:
8. maraveer = maram + eer
- Meaning: Tree root
- nagaravaasi = nagar + vaasi
- Meaning: City dweller
Special Rules
Plural Suffix Addition
-
koyilgal = koyil + gal
- Meaning: Temples
-
malargalil = malar + gal + il
- Meaning: Among flowers
Infix Addition
-
thaamaraippoo = thaamarai + poo
- Meaning: Lotus flower
-
vellaikkaaran = vellai + kaaran
- Meaning: White person
Based on Word Types
Noun + Noun
-
solaivanam = solai + vanam
- Meaning: Forest grove
-
aatrruneer = aaru + neer
- Meaning: River water
Verb + Noun
- padikattu = padi + kattu
- Meaning: Stairs/Steps
Pirithezuthuga - More Examples
Word Division in Common Usage
Common Words
-
kalloori = kal + oori
- Meaning: College (higher education place)
- Explanation: kal (education) + oori (place)
-
vellikizhamai = velli + kizhamai
- Meaning: Friday
- Explanation: Day of Venus planet
-
ponnambalam = pon + ambalam
- Meaning: Golden temple
- Explanation: pon (gold) + ambalam (temple)
-
senthamizh = sem + thamizh
- Meaning: Pure Tamil
- Explanation: sem (red/pure) + thamizh
Complex Word Division
Three Words Combined
Some words are combinations of three or more words.
Example:
- kodumpaaloor = kodu + paal + oor
- Meaning: A town name
Important Points in Word Division
1. Vowel Changes
Vowels may change in some words:
- kadal + oram = kadaloram
- vaasal + arai = vaasalarai
2. Consonant Doubling
A consonant may be doubled:
- kal + arai = kallarai
- pal + adai = palladai
3. Letter Omission
Some letters may be omitted:
- maram + adi = marathadi
- veedu + ul = veettul
TNPSC Exam Tips
Key Points:
- ✓ Learn sandhi rules thoroughly
- ✓ Practice common words
- ✓ Understand word origins
- ✓ Note exceptions
- ✓ Practice 10 words daily
Avoid Mistakes
❌ Wrong: kallarai = kal + larai
✓ Right: kallarai = kal + arai
❌ Wrong: semmai = sem + mai (without sandhi)
✓ Right: semmai = sem + mai (with 'm' doubling)
Practice Words
- paandiyan = paandi + an
- sozhan = sozha + an
- nalloor = nal + oor
- sennai = sem + nai
- muthalamaichar = muthal + amaichar
Pirithezuthuga - Practice & Exam Tips
20 Examples - Review
Complete List:
- palaappazham = palaa + pazham
- siruvaan = siru + vaan
- periyoor = periya + oor
- karpanai = kal + panai
- murpakal = mun + pakal
- karumbu = karum + pu
- vennmai = venn + mai
- maraveer = maram + eer
- nagaravaasi = nagar + vaasi
- koyilgal = koyil + gal
- malargalil = malar + gal + il
- thaamaraippoo = thaamarai + poo
- vellaikkaaran = vellai + kaaran
- solaivanam = solai + vanam
- aatrruneer = aaru + neer
- padikattu = padi + kattu
- kalloori = kal + oori
- vellikizhamai = velli + kizhamai
- ponnambalam = pon + ambalam
- senthamizh = sem + thamizh
TNPSC Exam Pattern
Question Types:
Type 1: Direct Question
Question: Which is correctly divided?
- A) kallarai = kal + larai
- B) kallarai = kalla + rai
- C) kallarai = kal + arai ✓
- D) kallarai = kallu + arai
Type 2: Find the Error
Question: Which is incorrectly divided?
- A) semmai = sem + mai
- B) vaanulagu = vaan + ulagu
- C) murpakal = mun + pakal
- D) kalloori = kallu + oori ✗
Type 3: Answer Type
Question: Divide 'senthamizh'
Answer: sem + thamizh
Practice Questions
Part A: Divide the Words
- nallaasirriyar = ?
- pennkuzhanthai = ?
- kadalkarai = ?
- veettuthottam = ?
- thamizhnaadu = ?
Answers:
- nal + aasirriyar
- penn + kuzhanthai
- kadal + karai
- veedu + thottam
- thamizh + naadu
Part B: Choose Correct Answer
-
senkol divide:
- A) seng + kol
- B) sem + kol ✓
- C) sengu + ol
- D) semmai + kol
-
munnoor divide:
- A) mun + noor
- B) mun + oor ✓
- C) munnu + oor
- D) munna + oor
Strategic Approach for Exam
Step-by-Step Method:
Step 1: Read the word carefully
- Example: kallarai
Step 2: Find sandhi location
- kal + larai? (wrong)
- kal + arai? (correct)
Step 3: Identify original words
- kal (stone/grave)
- arai (room/chamber)
Step 4: Verify sandhi rule
- l + a = lla (consonant doubling)
Key Rules to Remember
1. Consonant Doubling
- kal + arai = kallarai
- pal + adai = palladai
- nal + aasaan = nallaasaan
2. Vowel Change
- vaan + ulagu = vaanulagu
- kadal + oram = kadaloram
3. Short 'u' Addition
- maram + adi = marathadi
- veedu + ul = veettul
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting Consonant Doubling
❌ kal + arai = kalarai
✓ kal + arai = kallarai
Mistake 2: Wrong Division Point
❌ semmai = semma + i
✓ semmai = sem + mai
Mistake 3: Wrong Original Word
❌ murpakal = murru + pakal
✓ murpakal = mun + pakal
Frequently Asked Words
Group 1: Geography
- kadalkarai = kadal + karai
- malaithodar = malai + thodar
- aatrrankarai = aaru + karai
Group 2: People
- aasirriyar = aasirriya + ar
- maanavar = maanava + ar
- petroor = petra + oor
Group 3: Time
- murpakal = mun + pakal
- pirpakal = pin + pakal
- iravuneram = iravu + neram
Final Tips
Exam Writing Method:
- ⏰ Spend only 30 seconds per question
- 📝 Answer easy questions first
- 🔍 Remember sandhi rules when doubtful
- ✅ Verify meaning of each word
- 🎯 Increase speed through practice
Path to Success
✨ Daily 10 words - Practice
✨ Weekend revision - Review
✨ Monthly test - Take
✨ Clear doubts - Immediately
Congratulations! You have mastered Pirithezuthuga! 🎉