ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀರಿ?
neevu ellige hoguttiddiri?
The English phrase "where are you going?" is translated into Kannada as ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀರಿ? (neevu ellige hoguttiddiri?)
This phrase is a question used to ask someone about their current destination.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down literally as neevu (you), ellige (to where) and hoguttiddiri? (are going). The suffix -ge attached to elli (where) transforms the word into ellige, which indicates direction.
Which one should you use?
The default form ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀರಿ? is used for polite or plural contexts. You should use ನೀನು ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀಯ? instead when speaking to close friends, children or younger people.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word neevu is the polite or plural form of "you", which dictates the structure of this version of the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
neevu ellige hoguttiddiri?
Did you know?
- While ನೀವು is the formal 'you', using it with a very close friend or spouse can ironically signal that the speaker is annoyed or creating emotional distance.
- In many parts of Karnataka, asking 'where are you going?' is often used as a casual greeting rather than a literal inquiry into your destination.
- The formal word for 'you' ನೀವು is a distant relative of the same word in Tamil and Malayalam, as all three share a common ancestor in Proto-Dravidian.
Examples in context
- ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿ, ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀರಿ?Kṣamisi, nīvu ellige hōguttiddīri?Excuse me, where are you going?
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಅಭಿಷೇಕ್, ನೀವು ಎಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀರಿ?Abhishek, nīvu ellige hōguttiddīri?Abhishek, where are you going?
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekನಾನು ಮಾರುಕಟ್ಟೆಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದೇನೆ.Nānu mārukaṭege hōguttiddēne.I am going to the market.
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaನಾನು ಕೂಡ ಬರುತ್ತೇನೆ.Nānu kūḍa baruttēne.I will come too.
- ಅಭಿಷೇಕ್ Abhishekಸರಿ, ನಡೆಯಿರಿ.Sari, naḍeyiri.Okay, let's go.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ನೀವು, CC BY-SA 4.0.
