ਕਿਵੇਂ
The English word "how" is translated into Punjabi as ਕਿਵੇਂ.
The word ਕਿਵੇਂ is used to ask in what manner something is done. In conversational settings, you may also encounter the colloquial expression Ki chal reha hai? to mean "What's going on?"
Meaning: in what manner (adv)
Which one should you use?
While ਕਿਵੇਂ (kivein) is the standard way to ask "how", many spoken dialects use ਕਿੱਦਾਂ (kiddan) to mean "how" or to ask "how are you". Additionally, Kidaan? serves as an informal way to ask "How are you doing?"
Did you know?
- Because the word ਕਿਵੇਂ (kivein) shares a linguistic root with the word for 'why', a Punjabi speaker asking 'how' is often conceptually asking 'by what reason'.
- In Punjabi pop music, the informal ਕਿੱਦਾਂ (kiddan) is frequently used as a rhythmic filler word rather than to actually ask a question.
- Using the word ਕਿੱਦਾਂ (kiddan) in a formal setting, such as with a teacher, can make you appear as if you are treating them like a childhood friend.
Examples in context
- ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੋ?How are you?
- ਤੁਸੀਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ?tusi aithe kiven pahunche?How did you arrive here?
- ਇਹ ਕੰਮ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਕਰਨਾ ਹੈ?eh kamm kiven karna hai?How is this work to be done?
- ਉਹ ਇੰਨੀ ਤੇਜ਼ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਦੌੜਦਾ ਹੈ?oh inni tez kiven daurda hai?How does he run so fast?
Example conversation
Harman and Simran are talking about a new phone.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਇਹ ਫੋਨ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਚੱਲਦਾ ਹੈ?ih phōn kivē̃ chall-dā hai?How does this phone work?
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਸੌਖਾ ਹੈ, ਹਰਮਨ।ih bahut saukhā hai, harman.It is very easy, Harman.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਕਿਵੇਂ।mainū̃ samajh nahī̃ ā rihā kivē̃.I don't understand how.
- ਸਿਮਰਨ Simranਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਸਿਖਾ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹਾਂ।maĩ tuhānū̃ sikhā dīndī hā̃.I will teach you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਕਿਵੇਂ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
