તમે કેમ છો?
tame kem cho?
To say "how are you?" in Gujarati, use તમે કેમ છો? (tame kem cho?)
The phrase તમે કેમ છો? 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 તમે (you), કેમ (how) and છો (are).
Which one should you use?
The default form તમે કેમ છો? uses the plural/honorific તમે to address a group of people or to show respect to a single person. If you are speaking to a child or a close friend, you use the singular/informal તું કેમ છે? instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to a single person who is a close friend or a child, you use the informal તું કેમ છે? instead of the polite તમે કેમ છો?
How do you pronounce it?
tame kem cho?
When do people say it?
A common response to તમે કેમ છો? is હું મજામાં છું, which literally means "I am in fun/joy". In casual conversation, you can simply respond with મજામાં (fine/good) instead of a full sentence.
Did you know?
- In many Gujarati households, the greeting તમે કેમ છો? is often accompanied by a slight nod of the head or joining the palms in a 'Namaste' gesture.
- In highly traditional or formal settings, one might use an even more honorific form than તમે to address elders or deities.
- The honorific તમે used in the phrase is a direct linguistic relative of the Sanskrit 'yuṣmān', an ancient form of 'you'.
Examples in context
- નમસ્તે, તમે કેમ છો?namaste, tame kem cho?Hello, how are you?
Example conversation
Nilay meets Drishti at a cafe.
- નિલય Nilayનમસ્તે દ્રષ્ટિ, તમે કેમ છો?namaste drashti, tame kem cho?Hello Drishti, how are you?
- દ્રષ્ટિ Drishtiહું મજામાં છું, આભાર.hu majama chu, aabhar.I am fine, thank you.
- નિલય Nilayએ સાંભળીને આનંદ થયો.e sambhaline aanand thayo.I am happy to hear that.
- દ્રષ્ટિ Drishtiતમે કેમ છો?tame kem cho?How are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries છો, તમે, CC BY-SA 4.0.
