What does it mean word for word?
The phrase আপনি কি বলছেন? is composed of apni (you, formal), ki (what/question marker) and bolchhen (are saying).
Which one should you use?
The default form আপনি কি বলছেন? is the polite and formal version. Other forms include Apni ki kotha bolchen? which also translates to "What are you saying?", and the informal Tumi ki bolcho? There is also a very informal version, tui ki bolchhis?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Bengali has different levels of formality depending on your relationship with the listener. Use the default form আপনি কি বলছেন? for elders, strangers or in professional settings. Use Tumi ki bolcho? when speaking to friends, peers or younger people. Use tui ki bolchhis? only with very close friends or extremely close family members. It is highly intimate and can be seen as disrespectful if used with strangers.
How do you pronounce it?
apni ki bolchhen?
Did you know?
- In Bengali, the phrase আপনি কি বলছেন? can function as an expression of disbelief or shock, similar to saying 'You can't be serious!' in English.
- While আপনি কি বলছেন? is a literal way to ask for clarification, a Bengali speaker might simply say বলুন (bolun), meaning 'speak', to politely signal they did not hear you.
- Because Bengali uses honorifics, switching from the formal আপনি কি বলছেন? to the very intimate তুই কি বলছিস? (tui ki bolchhis?) can feel like a sudden emotional shift rather than just a change in grammar.
Examples in context
- আপনি কি বলছেন?apni ki bolchhen?What are you saying?
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a project in a noisy office.
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanএই ফাইলটি এখন পরিবর্তন করতে হবে।ei phailti ekhon poriborton korte hobe.This file needs to be changed now.
- ইশানি Ishaniমাফ করবেন, আপনি কি বলছেন?maph korben, apni ki bolchen?Excuse me, what are you saying?
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanআমি বলছি ফাইলটি পরিবর্তন করতে হবে।ami bolchi phailti poriborton korte hobe.I am saying the file needs to be changed.
- ইশানি Ishaniঠিক আছে, আমি এখনই করছি।thik ache, ami ekhoni korchi.Okay, I am doing it right now.
