What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of آپ (you), کون (who) and ہیں (are).
Which one should you use?
While آپ کون ہیں؟ is the polite default used for strangers or elders, other forms exist depending on the social relationship. تم کون ہو؟ is used for people of similar age or social standing, تو کون ہو؟ is a casual version for friends and peers and کیا آپ بتا سکتے ہیں آپ کون ہیں؟ is a more formal way to ask, "Can you tell me who you are?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
آپ کون ہیں؟ is the polite form used with elders and professionals. تم کون ہو؟ is an informal version used with peers, children or people of lower social status. تو کون ہو؟ is casual and used among friends. کیا آپ بتا سکتے ہیں آپ کون ہیں؟ is the formal option.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word کون is an interrogative pronoun used to ask "who" in Urdu.
How do you pronounce it?
aap kaun hain?
Did you know?
- The polite form of 'you', آپ, shares a deep ancestral root with the word for 'soul' or 'spirit', linking your identity to your very essence.
- Using the most casual form تو when asking 'who are you?' can be interpreted as a deliberate insult or a sign of aggression.
- The polite phrase آپ کون ہیں؟ uses a plural verb ہیں to address a single person, a linguistic technique called 'honorific plural'.
Examples in context
- آپ کون ہیں؟aap kaun hain?Who are you?
- معاف کیجئے گا، آپ کون ہیں؟ma'af kijiyega, aap kaun hain?Excuse me, who are you?
- میں جاننا چاہتا ہوں کہ آپ کون ہیں؟mein jaanna chahta hoon ke aap kaun hain?I want to know who you are.
Example conversation
Ahmad answers a call from an unknown number.
- احمد Ahmedہیلو، آپ کون ہیں؟Hello, aap kaun hain?Hello, who are you?
- فاطمہ Fatimaمیں فاطمہ ہوں، آپ کی دوست۔Main Fatima hoon, aap ki dost.I am Fatima, your friend.
- احمد Ahmedاوہ، فاطمہ! آپ کیسی ہیں؟Oh, Fatima! Aap kaisi hain?Oh, Fatima! How are you?
- فاطمہ Fatimaمیں ٹھیک ہوں، شکریہ۔Main theek hoon, shukriya.I am fine, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries آپ, کون, CC BY-SA 4.0.
