Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| তুমি | tumi | /t̪umi/ | familiar |
| তুই | tui | /t̪ui̯/ /t̪oi̯/ (rare) |
informal |
| আপনি | apni | /apni/ | formal |
Bengali uses different forms of "you" depending on the social hierarchy and level of intimacy between speakers.
Which one should you use?
The three main forms are used to distinguish relationships: তুই is for very close friends or those of lower social status, তুমি is the standard form for peers and family and আপনি is used for elders or strangers to show respect.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form আপনি is used in formal or professional settings and when addressing someone older or in authority. The form তুমি is considered familiar and is used for friends or family members of a similar age. The form তুই is informal and is used among very close friends, peers or when addressing someone much younger.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of West Bengal, particularly in Kolkata, আপনি is used as a formal form of "you".
How do you pronounce it?
tumi (/t̪umi/)
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use তুমি for elders or superiors. Instead, use আপনি to avoid appearing disrespectful.
Did you know?
- Using তুই can be a sign of deep affection and intimacy between best friends, but using it with a stranger is a severe insult.
- While আপনি is for strangers, some people use it even with their own parents to show an extreme level of traditional respect.
- The standard form তুমি actually evolved from a plural form, originally meaning 'you all' before it became a respectful singular.
Examples in context
- তুই কি হতে চাস?What do you want to be?This sentence uses the informal form তুই to ask about someone's ambitions.Tatoeba #5521558 by tanay, translation #16263 by CK
- তুমি ঠিক আছো তো?Are you all right?This sentence uses the familiar form তুমি to check on someone's well-being.Tatoeba #5594380 by tanay, translation #275743 by CK
- আপনি কি টমের মা?Are you Tom's mother?This sentence uses the formal form আপনি to ask about someone's relationship to Tom.Tatoeba #13008598 by robingaspi, translation #3678262 by CK
- 847 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting at a cafe.
- আকাশ Akashতুমি অনেক দিন পর দেখা দিলে।tumi anek din por dekha dile.You showed up after a long time.
- মৌমিতা Moumitaহ্যাঁ, আমি খুব ব্যস্ত ছিলাম।hyã, ami khub byasto chilam.Yes, I was very busy.
- আকাশ Akashতুমি কি কফি খাবে?tumi ki coffee khabe?Will you have some coffee?
- মৌমিতা Moumitaহ্যাঁ, আমি কফি খাব।hyã, ami coffee khabo.Yes, I will have coffee.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries তুমি, তুই, আপনি, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries আপনি, তুই, তুমি, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
