David Watson: Can I say ஏன் இல்லை? to mean "why not"?
Aditya Bharadwaj: Absolutely yes buddy!!!
Aditya Bharadwaj: It's also used as a translation of...Why isn't it there?
Pradeep Shenoy: Can you please translate it in English
Aditya Bharadwaj: Yæn illai?
Avi Arun: Doesn't sound natural. Better way is to have the entire phrase in your mind before translating. Why not what?
David Watson: Well it would be in response to someone asking can they do something. So, in English if someone asked me "hey, can I do this?", I might respond with "Why not?". The context makes it clear what I'm referring to. Does this not work the same in Tamil?
Avi Arun: I understand that. But you can't convey such implied meanings in Tamil most times. You usually say 'why not do it' or 'why not say it'. You need the verb in the sentence. 'Yen illai' would only mean 'why isn't it there'. To say 'why not do it' it's better to say 'yen seiya koodaathu' (why not do it), 'yen solla koodaathu' (why not say it) etc.
Avi Arun: Still, many people would prefer using positive responses to such questions like 'kandippa' (sure; of course)
David Watson: So in this case, I think I should say ஏன் சைய கோடாது? Or கன்டிப்ப?
Avi Arun: 'ஏன் செய்ய கூடாது?'/ 'ஏன் பண்ண கூடாது' (more casual) 'கண்டிப்பா' (spoken)
David Watson: What if I'm writing it on a forum?
Avi Arun: You can use spoken, casual forms anywhere on the internet, unless it's some kind of official mail. But amongst friends, strangers, social media, it's completely alright and used all the time.
David Watson: நன்றி ஆருன்!
Avi Arun: அருண்**
you're welcome David
Sandra Govender: Avi Arun. What about ஏன் முடியாது?