કેમ છો
kem cho
To ask kaise ho in Gujarati, say કેમ છો (kem cho). It is the everyday Gujarati way to ask someone how they are.
કેમ છો is the usual greeting question in Gujarati, used much like the Hindi kaise ho to ask how someone is doing.
What does it mean word for word?
kem means how and cho means are, so the phrase reads as how are you.
Which one should you use?
કેમ છો uses the verb form that goes with the respectful or plural you, so it works for elders, strangers and groups.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Rajkot people may ask Majama? instead. In north Gujarat you may hear Su chhe? used to ask how someone is.
How do you pronounce it?
Say it as kem cho, two short syllables.
When do people say it?
The most common reply is મજામાં (majama), meaning you are fine and doing well.
Did you know?
- In the city of Rajkot, people often bypass the question કેમ છો (kem cho) entirely and simply ask Majama?, turning the traditional answer into the question itself.
- Gujarati speakers often use કેમ છો (kem cho) as a general 'hello' to acknowledge someone, even if they do not expect a detailed report on the person's health.
- The word છો in કેમ છો shares the same linguistic ancestry as the Hindi verb form used to indicate the second person plural or respectful forms.
Examples in context
- કેમ છો?kem cho?How are you?
- તમે કેમ છો?tame kem cho?How are you doing?
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street.
- હાર્દિક Hardikનિયા, કેમ છો?Niya, kem cho?Niya, how are you?
- નિયા Niyaહું મજામાં છું, હાર્દિક!Hu majama chu, Hardik!I am doing well, Hardik!
- હાર્દિક Hardikતમારા પરિવારના બધા કેમ છો?Tamara parivarna badha kem cho?How is everyone in your family?
- નિયા Niyaબધા બહુ સારા છે.Badha bahu sara che.Everyone is very good.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries છો, CC BY-SA 4.0.
