o kae?
In Sepedi, the phrase "how are you?" is expressed as o kae?
o kae? is the standard social greeting used to ask someone about their well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, o kae? translates to "where are you?", but it is the standard way to ask 'how are you?' in a social context.
How does it change in a sentence?
To return the question, you can say Ke gona, wena o kae? to mean "I am fine, how are you?"
When do people say it?
A common response to o kae? is Ke gona, which means "I am fine" or "I am present".
Did you know?
- The word kae is used both for the greeting o kae? and for asking the price of an item in a market.
- It is customary in Sepedi culture to engage in a series of these greetings rather than a single quick exchange, as rushing the process can be seen as impolite.
- The response Ke gona literally means 'I am here' or 'I am present'. In Sepedi culture, being present and existing is the primary indicator of being well.
Examples in context
- O kae?How are you?
- Thabo, o kae?Thabo, how are you?
- Mme, o kae?Mother, how are you?
Example conversation
Thabo and Tshepiso meet on the street.
- ThaboDumela, Tshepiso, o kae?Hello, Tshepiso, how are you?
- TshepisoKe gona, Thabo. Wena o kae?I am well, Thabo. How are you?
- ThaboKe gona le nna.I am also well.
- TshepisoGo botse.That is good.
