څه کوې؟
tsa kawe?
The English phrase "what are you doing?" is translated into Pashto as څه کوې؟ (tsa kawe?).
This phrase is a question used to inquire about a person's current activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The word څه (tsa) literally means "what", and کوې (kawe) means "you do" or "you are doing".
Which one should you use?
While څه کوې؟ is used for a single person, you should use څه کوئ؟ when addressing more than one person or when you want to be polite.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people or to show respect to an individual, the verb form changes to څه کوئ؟.
How do you pronounce it?
tsa kawe?
Did you know?
- In Pashto culture, asking څه کوې؟ often functions as a general greeting similar to 'How are you?' or 'What is up?' rather than a literal request for a list of tasks.
- The word څه is a distant relative of the English word 'what' because both originate from the same Proto-Indo-European root *kʷís.
- While څه کوئ؟ is used for politeness, using it with a close friend or a child can sometimes be interpreted as sarcastic or jokingly formal.
Examples in context
- اوس څه کوې؟os tsa kawe?What are you doing now?
Example conversation
Ahmed calls Zarkula on the phone to check on her.
- احمد Ahmedڅه کوې؟tsa kawe?What are you doing?
- زركولہ Zarkolaزه کتاب لولم.ze kitab lulam.I am reading a book.
- احمد Ahmedښه ده.kha da.That is good.
- زركولہ Zarkolaتاسو څه کوئ؟tasu tsa kawei?What are you doing?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries څه, CC BY-SA 4.0.
