waar ben je?
The English phrase "where are you?" is translated into Dutch as waar ben je?
This phrase is used to ask about a person's current physical location.
Which one should you use?
If you are asking a group of friends where they are, you use waar zijn jullie? instead of the singular waar ben je? The forms waar ben je? and waar ben jij? are both used in informal singular contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase waar ben je? uses the informal je, whereas waar bent u? is the formal version used with strangers or superiors. When addressing a group of friends, the plural waar zijn jullie? is used instead of the singular waar ben je?
Did you know?
- The Dutch word waar is a homonym with several meanings. Depending on the context, it can mean 'where', 'true' or 'goods' and 'merchandise'.
- Dutch speakers often use the word waar in the expression waar is de lol?, which literally asks 'where is the fun?' but actually means 'what is the point?'
- In Dutch, the word for 'merchandise' waar is a cognate of the English 'ware' as in 'housewares' or 'software'.
Examples in context
- Waar ben je?Where are you?
- Ik kan je niet vinden, waar ben je?I can't find you, where are you?
Example conversation
Lucas is calling Julia because he cannot find her at the station.
- LucasJulia, waar ben je?Julia, where are you?
- JuliaIk sta bij de ingang.I am standing by the entrance.
- LucasIk zie je niet.I don't see you.
- JuliaLoop maar naar mij toe.Just walk towards me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ben, waar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
