کو
ku/ˈkuː/
In Persian, the English word 'where' can be expressed using several forms, including کو (ku) or کُجا. Wiktionary also lists کُجَا (kujā).
Meaning: at or in what place (adv)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| کو | ku | /ˈkuː/ (Classical Persian) |
| کُجَا | kujā | |
| کُجا | kojâ |
The word is used as an interrogative adverb to ask about a location or place. The term kojā is the most common way to ask 'where' in Farsi.
Which one should you use?
The form کجا (kojâ) is the standard interrogative adverb used with various verb conjugations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form کجا (kojâ) functions as a standard interrogative adverb and is compatible with various verb conjugations in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of کو is /ˈkuː/.
Did you know?
- The root of کو (ku) is related to the Proto-Indo-European root *kʷi-, which is the same ancestor that gave rise to the 'wh-' sound in English words like 'where' and 'what'.
- The word کو is often used in poetry and lyrics to imply that someone is missing or long gone, rather than just asking for their current location.
- When کجا is used in certain idioms, it can describe an extreme distance or an unreachable place, similar to the English phrase 'out in the middle of nowhere'.
Examples in context
- مرده کو؟Where is the man?This example shows how to use کو to ask for the location of a person.
- مدادت کو؟Where is your pencil?This example shows how to use کو to ask for the location of an object.
- کتابت کو؟ketābet ko?Where is your book?
Example conversation
Maryam is looking for her phone in the living room.
- مریم Maryamامیر، گوشیم کو؟Amir, goshim ko?Amir, where is my phone?
- امیر Amirرو میز است.Ru miz ast.It is on the table.
- مریم Maryamکدام میز؟Kodam miz?Which table?
- امیر Amirمیز پذیرایی.Miz-e pazirayi.The living room table.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “where” translations and entries کو, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries کو, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
