आप कौन हैं?
aap kaun hain?
The phrase "who are you?" in Hindi is translated as आप कौन हैं? (aap kaun hain?)
This phrase is a question used to ask for a person's identity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of aap (you), kaun (who) and hain (are).
Which one should you use?
The default form आप कौन हैं? uses the polite pronoun aap, whereas tum kaun ho? is less formal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form आप कौन हैं? is suitable for strangers or elders. For more informal situations, you can use tum kaun ho? with friends or younger people or the informal Tu kaun hai?
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb hain at the end must agree with the honorific pronoun aap to maintain grammatical correctness and politeness.
How do you pronounce it?
aap kaun hain?
Did you know?
- The English word 'breath' is a very distant cousin to the Hindi word for 'you'.
- In many Indian cultures, asking aap kaun hain? too abruptly to a stranger can be perceived as a challenge or a confrontation rather than a simple inquiry.
- While tu is the most informal version of 'you', it is not always rude. Between very close friends or family members, using tu expresses deep intimacy and affection.
Examples in context
- आप कौन हैं?aap kaun hain?Who are you?
- माफ़ कीजिए, आप कौन हैं?maaf keejiye, aap kaun hain?Excuse me, who are you?
- क्षमा करें, पर आप कौन हैं?kshama karen, par aap kaun hain?Sorry, but who are you?
Example conversation
Anjali meets a stranger standing at her doorstep.
- अंजलि Anjaliनमस्ते, आप कौन हैं?namaste, aap kaun hain?Hello, who are you?
- आदित्य Adityaमैं आपका नया पड़ोसी हूँ।main aapka naya padosi hoon.I am your new neighbor.
- अंजलि Anjaliअच्छा, आपका स्वागत है।achha, aapka swagat hai.Oh, welcome.
- आदित्य Adityaधन्यवाद, अंजलि जी।dhanyavaad, anjali jee.Thank you, Anjali.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries आप, कौन, CC BY-SA 4.0.
