What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down as follows: तपाईंलाई is a combination of the polite pronoun tapāī̃ (you) and the dative case marker -lāī (to), literally meaning "to you". The second part, कस्तो छ?, translates literally to "how is [it]?", where kasto means "how" and cha is the third-person singular form of the verb "to be".
Which one should you use?
While तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ? is the polite version, you may encounter timīlāī kasto cha?, which is the informal version used with friends or people of equal or lower social status.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The use of tapāī̃ in नमस्ते, तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ? makes the question polite and respectful, making it suitable for strangers, elders or people in professional settings. The greeting नमस्ते itself is considered a common formal greeting.
How do you pronounce it?
namaste, tapāī̃lāī kasto cha?
When do people say it?
When saying नमस्ते, it is often accompanied by a slight bow with hands pressed together at the chest in a prayer-like position. A common response to the question is मलाई ठीक छ।, which literally means "to me, it is fine".
Did you know?
- While नमस्ते is a general greeting, it is specifically used as a sign of respect to acknowledge the divine spark within another person.
- The word छ in the phrase कस्तो छ? is a linguistic relative of the Sanskrit word for the number six.
- The level of respect in नमस्ते, तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ? can be further intensified by performing a deeper bow, especially when addressing monks or elders.
Examples in context
- नमस्ते, कस्तो छ साथी?Hello, how are you, friend?
- नमस्ते, तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ? म ठीक छु।namaste, tapā'īnlā'ī kastō cha? ma ṭhīka chu.Hi, how are you? I am fine.
Example conversation
Roshan and Maya meet at a coffee shop.
- रोशन Roshanनमस्ते, तपाईंलाई कस्तो छ?Namaste, tapāīnlāī kasto cha?Hi, how are you?
- माया Mayaनमस्ते! मलाई ठिक छ, तपाईंलाई नि?Namaste! Malāī thik cha, tapāīnlāī ni?Hi! I am fine, and you?
- रोशन Roshanमलाई पनि एकदम ठिक छ।Malāī pani ekdam thik cha.I am also very well.
- माया Mayaसुनेर खुसी लाग्यो।Sunera khusī lāgyo.I am glad to hear that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries छ, नमस्ते, CC BY-SA 4.0.
