कसा आसा?
kasa asa?
The English phrase "hi, how are you?" is translated into Konkani as कसा आसा? (kasa asa?)
This phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The word कसा (kasa) literally means "how" in a masculine singular context.
Which one should you use?
While कसा आसा? is the masculine singular form, you should use कशी आसा? (kashi asa?) when addressing a female and कशे आसात? (kshe asat?) when addressing multiple people or using a formal plural form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on the gender and number of the person you are addressing: use कशी आसा? for a female and कशे आसात? for plural or formal situations.
How do you pronounce it?
kasa asa?
Did you know?
- While कसा आसा? is a standard greeting, Konkani speakers often skip the question and begin a conversation by asking जेवण जाले?, which means 'Have you eaten?'
- Depending on the region, a response to कसा आसा? might include the word बऱ्या, meaning 'fine', which is a linguistic cousin to the Sanskrit word for 'good'.
- When using the formal plural कशे आसात?, you are not just being polite to one person, but are also showing respect to their status or age.
Example conversation
Two friends meeting on the street.
- रोहन Rohanस्नेहा, कसा आसा?Sneha, kasa asa?Sneha, how are you?
- स्नेहा Snehaहांव बरी आसां, रोहन।Hanv bari asa, Rohan.I am doing well, Rohan.
- रोहन Rohanघरचे सगळे कसे आसात?Gharche sagle kase asat?How is everyone at home?
- स्नेहा Snehaसगळे बरे आसात।Sagle bare asat.Everyone is fine.
