ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੋ?
tusī̃ kitthe ho?
The Punjabi phrase for "where are you?" is ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੋ? (tusī̃ kitthe ho?)
This phrase is used to ask a person about their current physical location.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੋ? breaks down into ਤੁਸੀਂ (you), ਕਿੱਥੇ (where) and ਹੋ (are).
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to someone you are close to or someone younger, you can change the phrase to the informal ਤੂੰ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈਂ?
How do you pronounce it?
tusī̃ kitthe ho?
Did you know?
- When asking 'where are you?' to a stranger, using the informal ਤੂੰ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੈਂ? can be perceived as an intentional insult or an expression of extreme anger.
- In Punjabi, the word ਕਿੱਥੇ ('where') belongs to a rhythmic set of location words including ਜਿੱਥੇ ('where' in a statement), ਏਥੇ ('here') and ਓਥੇ ('there').
- In a cultural context, asking ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੋ? can sometimes function as a way of saying 'Why are you late?' rather than a genuine inquiry about coordinates.
Examples in context
- ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੋ?tusī̃ kithē hō?Where are you?
- ਮੈਂ ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਫ਼ੋਨ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਸੀ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੋ?maĩ tuhānū phōn kara rihā sī̃, tusī̃ kithē hō?I was calling you, where are you?
Example conversation
Herman calls Manpreet to find her in a crowded market.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕਿੱਥੇ ਹੋ?Manpreet, tusī̃ kithē hō?Manpreet, where are you?
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਮੈਂ ਸਬਜ਼ੀ ਵਾਲੇ ਕੋਲ ਹਾਂ।maĩ sabzī vālē kōl hā̃.I am near the vegetable vendor.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਮੈਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਹੀ ਖੜ੍ਹਾ ਹਾਂ।maĩ ithē hī khaṛhā hā̃.I am standing right here.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਠੀਕ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਆ ਰਹੀ ਹਾਂ।ṭhīk hai, maĩ ā rahī hā̃.Okay, I am coming.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਕਿੱਥੇ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
