tu li ku derê yî?
The English phrase "where are you?" is translated into Kurdish as tu li ku derê yî?
This phrase is used to ask someone about their current physical location.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tu li ku derê yî? literally breaks down to "you at where place are?"
Which one should you use?
In casual speech, the word derê (place/location) is often omitted, resulting in tu li ku yî?
How does it change in a sentence?
Use hûn li ku derê ne? when addressing more than one person or when using the formal/polite 'you'. To answer the question, use ez li… followed by your location.
Did you know?
- The word tu shares a common ancient ancestor with the English word 'thou' and the French word 'tu'. They all descend from the Proto-Indo-European pronoun *túh₂.
- The word derê in tu li ku derê yî? shares a root with the word for 'door' or 'exit' in several related Iranian languages.
- The distinction between tu and hûn is so significant that using the wrong one can make you seem unintentionally rude to an elder.
Example conversation
Dijwar is calling Nalin to find her at the mall.
- DijwarNalin, tu li ku derê yî?Nalin, where are you?
- NalinEz li ber dikanê me.I am in front of the shop.
- DijwarEz ê êjin te.I will come to you.
- NalinBaş e, ez li vir im.Okay, I am here.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries li, tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
