What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of apni (you, formal), kothay (where) and jachhen (are going).
Which one should you use?
The default form আপনি কোথায় যাচ্ছেন? uses the formal apni and is the safest way to address strangers or elders. For an informal setting, you can use tumi kothay jachcho? and for very close friends or when elders speak to younger people, you can use tui kothay jacchis?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
আপনি কোথায় যাচ্ছেন? is the formal version suitable for strangers or elders. tumi kothay jachcho? is used with friends, peers or younger people. The version tui kothay jacchis? is very informal or intimate, used only with very close friends or by elders to younger people.
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual conversation, the subject apni is often omitted, resulting in কোথায় যাচ্ছেন? if the context makes it clear who is being addressed.
How do you pronounce it?
apni kothay jachhen?
Did you know?
- In Bengali, asking 'where are you going?' is a standard way to greet someone, much like saying 'hello' or 'how are you' in English.
- The distinction between আপনি, তুমি and তুই is so strict that using the wrong form when asking someone's destination can be perceived as a serious insult or an unexpected intimacy.
- When asking this question to a very close friend, using the intimate তুই (tui) form is a sign of deep affection, whereas using the formal আপনি would signal a cold emotional distance.
Example conversation
Two acquaintances meet on a busy sidewalk.
- ইশানি Ishaniঅনির্বাণ, আপনি কোথায় যাচ্ছেন?Anirban, apni kothay jachchen?Anirban, where are you going?
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanআমি বাজারে যাচ্ছি।Ami bajare jachchi.I am going to the market.
- ইশানি Ishaniআপনি কি কিছু কিনবেন?Apni ki kichu kinben?Will you buy something?
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanহ্যাঁ, আমি কিছু ফল কিনব।He, ami kichu phol kinbo.Yes, I will buy some fruits.
