ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ?
sati srī akāl, tusīṁ kivēṁ ho?
The English phrase "hello how are you" is translated into Punjabi as ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ? (sati srī akāl, tusīṁ kivēṁ ho?)
This phrase is a common greeting used to initiate a conversation and inquire about a person's well-being.
Which one should you use?
The polite and formal way to ask how someone is doing is ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ? (tusīṁ kivēṁ ho?), whereas the informal version used with close friends or younger people is ਤੂੰ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੈਂ? (tūṁ kivēṁ haiṁ?).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Eastern Punjab, you may hear the informal greeting Ki haal hai?
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ? (tusīṁ kivēṁ ho?), the pronoun ਤੁਸੀਂ (tusīṁ) is the formal or plural second-person pronoun, which is used to show respect to the listener.
How do you pronounce it?
sati srī akāl, tusīṁ kivēṁ ho?
When do people say it?
When someone asks you how you are, a common response is ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ (maiṁ ṭhīk hāṁ, dhanavād), which means "I am fine, thank you".
Did you know?
- The greeting ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ (sat srī akāl) literally translates to 'Truth is the Timeless One'. It is a spiritual acknowledgment rather than just a casual 'hello'.
- While ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ is widely used, Sikhs often accompany this greeting with a slight bow or by joining their hands in a 'Namaste' gesture to show deep respect.
- In Punjabi culture, asking ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ? is often just the beginning of a long series of inquiries about one's health, family, and children before the actual conversation starts.
Examples in context
- ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ? ਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂ।Sat sri akaal, tusi kive ho? Main theek haan.Hello, how are you? I am fine.
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ?Sat Shri Akaal, tusi kive ho?Hello, how are you?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਮੈਂ ਠੀਕ ਹਾਂ, ਧੰਨਵਾਦ।Main theek haan, dhanvaad.I am fine, thank you.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੈ?Tuhada parivaar kive hai?How is your family?
- ਅਮਨ Amanਸਾਰੇ ਠੀਕ ਹਨ।Saare theek han.Everyone is fine.
