কি করছো?
ki korchho?
The phrase "what are you doing?" in Bengali is translated as কি করছো? (ki korchho?)
This phrase is used to ask someone about their current activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The word কি (ki) means "what" and করছো (korchho) is the continuous present form of the verb "to do".
Which one should you use?
The phrase can be expressed in different forms depending on your relationship with the person: কি করছো? is a standard informal way, আপনি কি করছেন? is formal and কি করছিস? is an extremely informal version used for very close people.
How does it change in a sentence?
To be polite to elders or strangers, use কি করছেন? or the full phrase আপনি কি করছেন? For peers or those younger than you, use কি করছো? or তুমি কি করছো? For an extremely close or intimate relationship, use কি করছিস?
How do you pronounce it?
ki korchho?
Did you know?
- In many Bengali social circles, কি করছো? is often used as a general greeting similar to 'How are you?' or 'What's up?' rather than a literal request for a list of current activities.
- Bengali allows the speaker to omit the pronoun 'you' entirely in কি করছো?, as the verb ending itself tells the listener exactly who is being addressed.
- If you use the 'extremely informal' version কি করছিস? with a stranger, it can be perceived as a direct provocation or an insult rather than just being 'casual'.
Examples in context
- তুমি এত রাতে কি করছো?tumi eto rate ki korcho?What are you doing so late at night?
Example conversation
Ishani calls Rahul on his mobile phone.
- ইশানি Ishaniরাহুল, তুমি এখন কি করছো?Rahul, tumi ekhon ki korcho?Rahul, what are you doing now?
- রাহুল Rahulআমি এখন বই পড়ছি।Ami ekhon boi porchhi.I am reading a book now.
- ইশানি Ishaniখুব ভালো।Khub bhalo.That is very good.
- রাহুল Rahulধন্যবাদ, ইশানি।Dhonyobad, Ishani.Thanks, Ishani.
