छि छं याना च्वनादीगु?
chhi chha yānā chwanādīgu?
The phrase "what are you doing?" in Newari is छि छं याना च्वनादीगु? (chhi chha yānā chwanādīgu?)
This phrase is used to ask someone about the activity they are currently performing.
Which one should you use?
the forms के गरिर्छौ? and तिमी के गरिरहेछौ? are also used to ask "What are you doing?" in informal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
chhi chha yānā chwanādīgu?
Did you know?
- The word च्वना (sitting/staying) within the phrase is a common way to indicate that an action is currently in progress, acting much like the English '-ing' suffix.
- Newari is a Tibeto-Burman language, meaning the structure of what are you doing? is fundamentally different from the Indo-Aryan structure of neighboring Nepali.
- Newari has a complex system of honorifics where the choice of what are you doing? changes based on the social status and caste of the person you are addressing.
Example conversation
Amit and Punam meet at home.
- अमित Amitपुनम, छि छं याना च्वनादीगु?Punam, chhi chhan yaana chwanadiigu?Punam, what are you doing?
- पुनम Punamजिं चिया च्वनाjin chhiya chwanaI am reading a book.
- अमित Amitछिं गु किताब च्वनादीगु?chhin gu kitaab chwanadiigu?Which book are you reading?
- पुनम Punamजिं नयाँ किताब च्वनाjin nayaan kitaab chwanaI am reading a new book.
