çi dikî?
The phrase "what are you doing?" in Kurdish is çi dikî?
This phrase is used to ask someone about their current activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of çi (what) and dikî (you are doing).
Which one should you use?
çi dikî? is the singular/informal form, whereas çi dikin? is the plural or formal form.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address more than one person or to use a polite/formal form, change dikî to dikin.
Did you know?
- In many Kurdish dialects, çi dikî? functions as a social greeting similar to 'How are you?' rather than a literal request for a list of your current activities.
- The word çi is related to the Persian word for 'what', reflecting the ancient linguistic connection between these two Iranian languages.
- While hiç translates to 'nothing', responding to çi dikî? with only this word can make the speaker seem dismissive or mysterious to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- Tu çi dikî?What are you doing?
- Navê te çi ye û tu çi dikî?What is your name and what are you doing?
Example conversation
Soran calls Sarya on the phone.
- SoranSarya, tu çi dikî?Sarya, what are you doing?
- SaryaEz pirtûkê dixwînim.I am reading a book.
- SoranTu dixwazî bêyî derve?Do you want to come outside?
- SaryaErê, ez ê bêm.Yes, I will come.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries çi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
