ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?
tusi ki keh rahe ho?
ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ? (tusi ki keh rahe ho?) is the Punjabi way to say "what are you saying?"
This phrase is a question used to ask someone to repeat or clarify the words they have just spoken.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ? is composed of ਤੁਸੀਂ (you), ਕੀ (what), ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ (saying) and ਹੋ (are).
Which one should you use?
The polite version is ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?, whereas the informal version, used with close friends or younger people, is ਤੂੰ ਕੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈਂ?
How does it change in a sentence?
Using ਤੁਸੀਂ (tusi) makes this a polite or formal way to ask the question, suitable for elders or strangers.
How do you pronounce it?
tusi ki keh rahe ho?
Did you know?
- Using the informal ਤੂੰ (tu) version of this phrase with a stranger is often interpreted as an act of extreme aggression or a deliberate insult rather than a casual slip of the tongue.
- In Punjabi culture, the level of intimacy is so sensitive that using the formal ਤੁਸੀਂ (tusi) version of this question with a close sibling can actually be a way to signal emotional distance or a temporary argument. It creates a 'cold' barrier by being too polite.
- If a speaker is truly confused by what was said, they may bypass the full phrase ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ? entirely and simply use the single word ਹੈਂ? (hain?).
Examples in context
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਸਮਝ ਨਹੀਂ ਆਇਆ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?mainū samajha nahī̃ ā'i'ā, tusī̃ kī kah rahe hō?I didn't understand, what are you saying?
Example conversation
Harman and Kiran are talking in a noisy room.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਅਸੀਂ ਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਬਾਜ਼ਾਰ ਜਾਵਾਂਗੇ।asin kall bazaar javange.We will go to the market tomorrow.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਕੀ? ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੀ ਕਹਿ ਰਹੇ ਹੋ?ki? tusi ki keh rahe ho?What? What are you saying?
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਮੈਂ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ ਅਸੀਂ ਕੱਲ੍ਹ ਬਾਜ਼ਾਰ ਜਾਵਾਂਗੇ।main kiha ki asin kall bazaar javange.I said that we will go to the market tomorrow.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਹਰਮਨ।thik hai, Harman.Okay, Harman.
