و شما؟
va shoma?
The Persian phrase for "and you?" is و شما؟ (va shoma?).
This phrase is used to ask the same question back to the person who has just addressed you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the conjunction va (and) and the second-person plural/polite pronoun shoma (you).
Which one should you use?
While و شما؟ is the standard polite way to return a question, you can use و تو؟ in informal settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
و شما؟ is the polite or formal version, making it suitable for use with strangers or superiors. Use و تو؟ when speaking to a child, a close friend or someone younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
va shoma?
Did you know?
- Using the informal و تو؟ with a stranger or a superior can be perceived as an intentional insult rather than just a casual mistake.
- The Persian و is related to the biblical Hebrew prefix 'wa-'.
- The plural pronoun shoma is used in va shoma? to show respect to a single person, a concept known as the 'honorific plural'.
Examples in context
- من خوبم، و شما؟man khubam, va shoma?I am fine, and you?
- امروز خسته هستم، و شما؟emruz khaste hastam, va shoma?I am tired today, and you?
- من از این فیلم خوشم آمد، و شما؟man az in film khosham amad, va shoma?I liked this movie, and you?
Example conversation
Reza and Zahra greet each other at the office.
- رضا Rezaسلام زهرا، حالت چطوره؟Salam Zahra, halat chetore?Hello Zahra, how are you?
- زهرا Zahraمن عالی هستم، و شما؟Man ali hastam, va shoma?I am great, and you?
- رضا Rezaمن هم خوبم، ممنون.Man ham khubam, mamnun.I am also good, thanks.
- زهرا Zahraخواهش میکنم.Khahesh mikonam.You are welcome.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries و, CC BY-SA 4.0.
