چطور هستید؟
chetor hastid?
How are you? In Dari is expressed as چطور هستید؟ (chetor hastid?).
This phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their health or general well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of چطور (chetor) meaning 'how' and هستید (hastid) meaning 'are' (second person plural/polite).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form چطور هستید؟ is the polite or formal way to ask someone how they are, suitable for elders or strangers. A formal variation is Chetor hastin? You can also increase the level of formality by adding agha or shoma before chetor hastin?, such as Agha/Shoma chetor hastin? to say 'Sir/You, how are you?' Conversely, Chetorii? is an informal way to ask 'How are you?' For an informal greeting, you can add the term jan to Chetori to create Chetori jan?, which means 'How are you, my dear?'
How do you pronounce it?
chetor hastid?
Did you know?
- While چطور هستید؟ asks about well-being, it is common to pair this with a hand over the heart. This gesture signifies that the greeting is sincere and comes from the heart.
- The term jan added to Chetori jan? comes from a word meaning 'soul' or 'life'. By adding it, you are essentially calling the person 'my soul'.
- In some regions of Afghanistan, asking 'how are you?' is often answered with a phrase thanking God, such as shukar (thanks). It is culturally expected to credit divine providence for one's health.
Examples in context
- چطور هستید؟chotor hastid?How are you?
- سلام، چطور هستید؟salām, chotor hastid?Hello, how are you?
Example conversation
Maryam and Omar meet at a cafe.
- مریم Maryamسلام عمر، چطور هستید؟Salam Omar, chotor hasteed?Hello Omar, how are you?
- عمر Omarمن خوب هستم، تشکر. شما چطور هستید؟Man khob hastam, tashakur. Shuma chotor hasteed?I am good, thank you. How are you?
- مریم Maryamمن هم خوب هستم، ممنون.Man ham khob hastam, mamnoon.I am also good, thanks.
- عمر Omarاز دیدن شما خوشحال شدم.Az didan-e shuma khushhal shudam.I am happy to see you.
