ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೀರಿ?
neevu elliddeeri?
ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೀರಿ? (neevu elliddeeri?) is the Kannada phrase for "where are you?"
Meaning: where are you? (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of neevu (you), elli (where) and iddeeri (are/exist).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೀರಿ? uses the polite or plural second-person pronoun neevu along with the corresponding verb ending -deeri.
How do you pronounce it?
neevu elliddeeri?
Did you know?
- In casual spoken Kannada, the phrase is often shortened to ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೀರಾ? ('elliddeera?'), dropping the pronoun ನೀವು ('you') entirely because the verb ending already indicates who is being addressed.
- The word ನೀವು (neevu) shares a common ancestor with the word used for 'you' in Malayalam, reflecting the deep linguistic roots shared by these Dravidian languages.
- If you are asking 'where are you' to someone who is physically present but hiding, the phrasing remains the same, as the verb ಇದ್ದೀರಿ implies existence in a space rather than just location.
Example conversation
Kavya is calling Rahul on the phone to find him.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಹಲೋ ರಾಹುಲ್, ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ದೀರಿ?Halō Rāhul, nīvu elliddīri?Hello Rahul, where are you?
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulನಾನು ಮನೆಯ ಹೊರಗಿದ್ದೇನೆ.Nānu maneya horagiddēne.I am outside the house.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaನಾನು ನಿಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ.Nānu nimmannu huḍukuttidde.I was looking for you.
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulಸರಿ, ನಾನು ಈಗ ಬರುತ್ತೇನೆ.Sari, nānu īga baruttēne.Okay, I am coming now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ನೀವು, CC BY-SA 4.0.
