TamilFeed learning guide
Tamil Aytham (ஃ): The Special Tamil Character ஆய்த எழுத்து (ஃ)
ஃ is called ஆய்தம் (aytham or āytam). It is a special character in the traditional Tamil letter count, alongside 12 vowels, 18 consonants, and 216 uyirmei combinations. Aytham is not an everyday vowel or one of the 18 core consonants, and its use is limited in modern Tamil.
ஃ என்பது ஆய்த எழுத்து எனப்படும் சிறப்பு எழுத்து. பாரம்பரியமாகக் கணக்கிடப்படும் 247 தமிழ் எழுத்துகளில் இதுவும் ஒன்று. இது உயிரெழுத்தோ அல்லது 18 மெய்யெழுத்துகளில் ஒன்றோ அல்ல; இன்றைய தமிழில் இதன் பயன்பாடு குறைவு.
Recognize the character and its name, but learn it separately from the vowel-consonant pattern used to form uyirmei letters.
- The character is written ஃ and named ஆய்தம் (aytham).
- It is counted as one character in the traditional total of 247 letters.
- It does not combine with the 12 vowels in the same way as the 18 core consonants.
Aytham ஆய்த எழுத்து
The special Tamil character.
Roman transliterations are included as learning aids. Tamil pronunciation can vary by context, and English sound comparisons are approximate. For the combined-letter count and classifications, see the Tamil Virtual Academy lesson on Tamil letters.