Learning how to say “What are you doing?” in Bengali can help you engage in conversations with native speakers and deepen your understanding of the language. Whether you want to communicate formally or informally, we’ll guide you through various ways to express this question, share regional variations when necessary, and provide plenty of tips and examples.
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Formal Ways to Say “What Are You Doing?”
If you’re in a formal setting or speaking to someone who you should address with respect, you can use the following phrases:
1. আপনি কি করছেন? (Apni ki korchen?)
This phrase is a polite and formal way to ask someone, “What are you doing?” It is commonly used when addressing elders, strangers, or in formal settings. Remember to use the respectful pronoun “আপনি (apni)” instead of the informal “তুই (tui)” or “তুমি (tumi)” when using this phrase.
2. আপনি কি করছেন সেক্টরে? (Apni ki korchen sektore?)
This question specifically inquires about someone’s activities in a professional or work-related context. It’s an excellent way to engage in conversations about work or to show an interest in someone’s career.
Informal Ways to Say “What Are You Doing?”
When talking to friends, family, or in casual situations, you can utilize these informal expressions:
1. কি করছিস? (Ki korchis?)
This is a common and colloquial way of asking “What are you doing?” among friends or acquaintances. It’s a relaxed way to start a conversation and doesn’t require using formal speech or respectful pronouns.
2. কি করছো? (Ki korcho?)
This informal expression is similar to the previous one but uses different verb conjugation. It is widely used among friends or people of similar age groups. Remember that the verb suffix “-ছিস (-chis)” implies you are referring to the person you are talking to as “তুই (tui)” or “তুমি (tumi)” informally.
Tips and Examples
Here are some tips and examples to help you master the usage of these phrases:
1. Be attentive to gender:
Bengali has gendered speech, so ensure your verb conjugation and choice of pronouns match the gender of the person you are addressing. For example:
কি করছো? (Ki korcho?) – when talking to a male
কি করছিস? (Ki korchis?) – when talking to a female
2. Pay attention to verb forms:
Bengali verbs change depending on the tense and context. The present continuous tense is commonly used to express ongoing actions. For example:
আপনি কি করছেন? (Apni ki korchen?) – formal
তুই কি করছিস? (Tui ki korchis?) – informal
3. Combine with greetings:
To make your conversation more friendly and natural, you can integrate the question with a greeting. Here’s an example:
হালো, আপনি কি করছেন? (Halo, apni ki korchen?) – Hello, what are you doing?
4. Use it as an icebreaker:
Asking someone about their activities can serve as an icebreaker or a way to show genuine interest in their life. For instance:
এইটা শক্তিশালী দেখতে লাগছে। তুই কি করছিস? (Eita shaktishali dekhte lagche. Tui ki korchis?)
– This looks powerful. What are you doing?
Remember to practice these phrases regularly, observe how native speakers use them, and be open to conversations. This will enhance your speaking skills and help you connect with Bengali speakers on a deeper level.
