எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?
eppadi irukkindreergal?
In Tamil, "how are you?" is said as எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்? (eppadi irukkindreergal?)
This phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or health.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of two parts: எப்படி, which means "how" and இருக்கிறீர்கள், which means "are (you)".
Which one should you use?
The form எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்? is the formal version, while எப்படி இருக்கீங்க? is a common colloquial shortening used in everyday spoken Tamil.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb இருக்கிறீர்கள் is the second-person plural or polite form of the verb "to be".
How do you pronounce it?
eppadi irukkindreergal?
When do people say it?
A common response to this question is நல்லா இருக்கேன், which means "I am well".
Did you know?
- In many Tamil social circles, instead of asking about health, people might skip the question and immediately ask if you have eaten by saying சாப்டீங்களா? (Did you eat?).
- The word எப்படி actually translates literally to 'according to what manner' because it is built from the interrogative prefix எ and the word படி meaning 'according to'.
- Tamil uses a 'diglossia' system where the formal version of this phrase used in books or speeches would be completely unrecognizable to someone who only knows the colloquial spoken version.
Examples in context
- நீங்கள் எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?neengal eppadi irukkireergal?How are you doing?
Example conversation
Two colleagues meet in the office hallway.
- கவிதா Kavithaவணக்கம் கார்த்திக், எப்படி இருக்கிறீர்கள்?Vanakkam Karthik, eppadi irukkireergal?Hello Karthik, how are you?
- கார்த்திக் Karthikநான் நலமாக இருக்கிறேன் கவிதா.Naan nalamaaga irukkirean Kavitha.I am doing well, Kavitha.
- கவிதா Kavithaகேட்பதற்கு மகிழ்ச்சி.Ketpatharku magizhchi.I am glad to hear that.
- கார்த்திக் Karthikநன்றி.Nandri.Thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries எப்படி, CC BY-SA 4.0.
