neredesin?
The English phrase "where are you?" is translated into Turkish as neredesin?
This phrase is used to ask someone about their current physical location.
What does it mean word for word?
The word neredesin? is a combination of nerede (where) and the second-person singular suffix -sin (you are).
Which one should you use?
Neredesin? is used for a single person you know well, whereas Neredesiniz? is used for formal situations or groups.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing more than one person or when using the formal "you" to show respect, use neredesiniz? instead of neredesin? To ask "where were you?" in the past tense, change the suffix to -ydin to get neredeydin?
Did you know?
- In many Turkish text messages, if a person is running late, they might reply with geliyorum, which literally means 'I am coming' even if they haven't left their house yet. This serves as a social buffer to answer the implicit 'where are you?' without admitting they are still at home.
- If you want to ask 'where are you?' in a way that sounds very polite or poetic, you can use the phrase nerelerdesin? Adding the plural suffix to the 'where' part makes the question sound as if you are asking about all the many places the person has been lately.
- When asking neredesin? over the phone, a common cultural response is to name a landmark or a nearby shop rather than a street address, as Turkey relies heavily on visual landmarks for navigation.
Examples in context
- Siz neredesiniz?Where are you?
Example conversation
Mehmet calls Selin to ask where she is during a shopping trip.
- MehmetSelin, neredesin?Selin, where are you?
- SelinHâlâ marketteyim.I am still at the market.
- MehmetÇabuk gel, bekliyorum.Come quickly, I am waiting.
- SelinTamam, hemen geliyorum.Okay, I am coming right now.
