ইংরেজিতে কথা বলুন
iṅrējitē kathā balun
To speak English in Bengali, you say ইংরেজিতে কথা বলুন (iṅrējitē kathā balun).
This phrase is used as a request or a command for someone to communicate using the English language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ইংরেজিতে (in English), কথা (speech/word) and বলুন (say/speak).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb বলুন (balun) is the polite/formal imperative form used when addressing elders, strangers or in professional settings.
How do you pronounce it?
iṅrējitē kathā balun
Did you know?
- The word কথা can also mean 'promise' or 'word of honor' in Bengali, meaning কথা দেওয়া literally translates to 'giving a word'.
- Bengali has three different levels of formality for the word 'you' that would change the accompanying verb বলুন to বলো or বল.
- The word কথা (katha) can mean 'speech', but it is also the root for 'story' or 'tale' in many South Asian contexts. Therefore, the phrase literally carries a sense of 'saying words' or 'narrating'.
Examples in context
- ইংরেজি বলতে পারবেন?Can you speak English?
- হ্যাঁ, আমি ইংরেজি বলতে পারি।Yes, I can speak English.
- অনুগ্রহ করে আমার সাথে ইংরেজিতে কথা বলুন।Onugroho kore amar sathe ingrejite kotha bolun.Please speak English with me.
Example conversation
A classroom setting where a teacher is asking a student to practice.
- তানিয়া Taniaরাহুল, দয়া করে ইংরেজিতে কথা বলুন।Rahul, doya kore ingrejite kotha bolun.Rahul, please speak English.
- রাহুল Rahulঠিক আছে, আমি চেষ্টা করছি।Thik ache, ami chesta korchi.Okay, I am trying.
- তানিয়া Taniaখুব ভালো, চালিয়ে যান।Khub bhalo, chaliye jan.Very good, keep going.
- রাহুল Rahulধন্যবাদ, তানিয়া।Dhonnobad, Tania.Thank you, Tania.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries কথা, CC BY-SA 4.0.
