داری چیکار می‌کنی؟
dari chikar mikoni?
The English phrase "what are you doing?" is translated into Persian as داری چیکار می‌کنی؟ (dari chikar mikoni?).
This phrase is used to ask someone about the activity they are performing at the present moment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase داری چیکار می‌کنی؟ is composed of dari (you are [in the process of]), chikar (what work/thing) and mikoni (you do).
Which one should you use?
داری چیکار می‌کنی؟ uses the colloquial contraction chikar, which is a shortened form of che kar. For a more standardized or formal written version, you would use چه کار می‌کنی?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
داری چیکار می‌کنی? is a colloquial spoken form used for singular, informal address, such as with friends, family or children. In contrast, شما چه می‌کنید؟ is the formal way to ask the same question.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address someone politely or to address more than one person, change the verbs to the second-person plural forms to get دارید چیکار می‌کنید?
How do you pronounce it?
dari chikar mikoni?
Did you know?
- In casual speech, the word داری (dari) literally means 'you have', but here it acts as a helper verb to indicate an action is currently in progress. This makes the literal translation closer to 'you have what are you doing'.
- In Persian, if someone asks داری چیکار می‌کنی؟ with a specific rising intonation and a certain facial expression, it often functions as a reprimand meaning 'What on earth are you doing?' rather than a genuine inquiry.
- When asking what are you doing? as a general 'how is it going?' greeting, Persians often use the related phrase چه خبر؟ (che khabar), which literally means 'what news?'
Examples in context
- استاد فلان، شما چه می‌کنید؟Professor X, what are you doing?
- در حال تدریس هستم.I am teaching.
- سلام! چه کار می‌کنی؟Hello! What are you doing?
- در حال دیدن یک فیلم هستم.I am watching a movie.
- ببخشید، داری چیکار می‌کنی؟bebakhshid, dāri chikar mikoni?Excuse me, what are you doing?
Example conversation
Sara calls Amir on the phone to see why he is quiet.
- سارا Saraامیر، داری چیکار می‌کنی؟Amir, dāri chikar mikoni?Amir, what are you doing?
- امیر Amirدارم کتاب می‌خونم.dāram ketāb mikhonam.I am reading a book.
- سارا Saraخیلی ساکت بودی.kheyli sāket budi.You were very quiet.
- امیر Amirآره، تمرکز کرده بودم.are, tamarkoz karde budam.Yeah, I was concentrating.
