भवान् किं करोति?
bhavān kiṃ karoti?
The English phrase "what are you doing?" is translated into Sanskrit as भवान् किं करोति? (bhavān kiṃ karoti?)
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about their current activity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down into भवान् (You, honorific), किं (what) and करोति (doing?).
Which one should you use?
The default form भवान् किं करोति? uses the pronoun भवान् for a polite address to a male. For a female, use भवती किं करोति? to ask the same question politely. For addressing someone informally or of equal status, use त्वं किं करोषि?
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a male politely, use the form with भवान्. To address a female politely, use the form भवती किं करोति? If you are speaking to someone of equal status or in an informal setting, the verb and pronoun change to the form त्वं किं करोषि?
How do you pronounce it?
bhavān kiṃ karoti?
Did you know?
- In Sanskrit, the honorific pronouns भवान् and भवती require the verb to be in the third person, effectively treating the person you are addressing as a respected third party.
- The word करोति shares a deep ancestral root with the English word 'create'.
- In traditional Sanskrit culture, using the informal त्वं with a teacher or elder could be considered a significant social transgression.
Example conversation
Two friends meet unexpectedly in a library.
- इशान Ishanनमो नमः काव्या! भवान् किं करोति?namo namaḥ kāvyā! bhavān kiṃ karoti?Hello Kavya! What are you doing?
- काव्या Kavyaनमो नमः इशान। अहं पठामि।namo namaḥ iśāna. ahaṃ paṭhāmi.Hello Ishan. I am studying.
- इशान Ishanकिं भवान् अपि पठति?kiṃ bhavān api paṭhati?Are you also studying?
- काव्या Kavyaआम्, अहं परीक्षायाः कृते पठामि।ām, ahaṃ parīkṣāyāḥ kṛte paṭhāmi.Yes, I am studying for the exam.
