کی
kay/ˈkaj/
The Persian word for "when" is کی (kay).
کی is a simple way to ask "when" in a neutral and general context.
Meaning: as soon as, at the time that (conj)
Which one should you use?
While کی is used for questions (interrogative), وقتی که is used to connect clauses meaning "at the time that".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kay and the IPA is /ˈkaj/.
Did you know?
- In Persian, the word کی is a homonym that also means 'king'. While it asks 'when' in a question, it refers to royalty in other contexts.
- The meaning of کی shifted from 'poet' to 'king' because Sasanian Zoroastrian priests misinterpreted ancient texts.
- In Persian, the word کی can be used for both 'when' and 'who' depending on the dialect and context, though 'who' is typically کی in spoken Tehran Persian.
Examples in context
- کی ترک خواهی کرد؟When will you leave?This example shows how to use کی to ask about a future departure.Tatoeba #9867129 by sinakd, translation #66004 by CK
- کی خطا رخ داده است؟When did the error occur?This example demonstrates asking کی regarding the occurrence of an error.Tatoeba #752499 by mahdiye, translation #749406 by kroko
- او کی متولد شده است؟When was she born?This example shows how to use کی to inquire about a person's birth.Tatoeba #667763 by mahdiye, translation #310506 by CK
- کی تولدته؟When is your birthday?
- می‌خواهم بدانم چه زمانی برمی‌گردی؟I want to know when you'll be back?
- کی رسیدی؟When did you arrive?
- کی تهران رفتی؟When did you visit Tehran?
- تا کی فروشگاه بازه؟Until when will the shop be open?
- از نظر زمانی، تقریبا کی می‌رسی؟When will you arrive, approximately?
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sara and Mohammad are discussing when to start a meeting.
- سارا Saraما کی شروع کنیم؟Ma key shoru konim?When should we start?
- محمد Mohammadکی همه برسند شروع می‌کنیم.Key hame beresand shoru mikonim.We will start when everyone arrives.
- سارا Saraفکر کنم کی ساعت ده برسند.Fekr konam key sa'at dah beresand.I think they'll arrive by ten o'clock.
- محمد Mohammadپس کی ساعت ده آماده باشیم.Pas key sa'at dah amade bashim.So we'll be ready at ten.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry کی, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries کی, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
