Significado
Asking about someone's current activity.
Contexto cultural
In Kolkata, you might hear 'Ki korcho?' with a very rounded 'o' sound. It's often used as a prelude to 'Adda' (long social chats). In Dhaka, the 'Tui' register ('Ki korchis?') is extremely common among male friends and is used with a sense of brotherhood ('Bhai'). In the UK or USA, second-generation Bengalis often use 'Ki korcho?' as one of the few phrases they retain to connect with elders, though they might accidentally use 'Tumi' when 'Apni' is required. On Facebook and WhatsApp, 'Ki korcho?' is the standard 'icebreaker'. It is often shortened to just 'কি কর?' in very lazy typing, though this is grammatically incorrect.
Drop the Pronoun
To sound like a native, just say 'Ki korcho?'. The '-cho' ending already tells the listener you are talking to 'Tumi'.
The 'Apni' Rule
When in doubt, use 'Apni ki korchen?'. It's better to be too formal than to accidentally offend someone.
Significado
Asking about someone's current activity.
Drop the Pronoun
To sound like a native, just say 'Ki korcho?'. The '-cho' ending already tells the listener you are talking to 'Tumi'.
The 'Apni' Rule
When in doubt, use 'Apni ki korchen?'. It's better to be too formal than to accidentally offend someone.
The 'Kichu na' Trap
If someone answers 'Kichu na' (Nothing), they are usually bored and want to talk. Don't end the conversation there!
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct form to ask your teacher what they are doing.
স্যার, আপনি ______?
'Apni' (formal) always requires the '-chen' ending.
Fill in the blank with the correct pronoun for the verb ending '-cho'.
______ কি করছ?
The ending '-cho' is specific to the 'Tumi' register.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
রাহুল: কিরে, কি করছিস? অনিক: আমি ______।
Since the question is in the present continuous (korchis), the answer should also be in the present continuous (khacchi).
Match the phrase to the correct person.
Match: 1. তুই কি করছিস? 2. আপনি কি করছেন? 3. তুমি কি করছ?
1-B (Informal), 2-A (Formal), 3-C (Neutral/Familiar).
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
The Three 'You's of Bengali
Formal (Apni)
- • Ki korchen?
- • Elders
- • Bosses
- • Strangers
Familiar (Tumi)
- • Ki korcho?
- • Friends
- • Parents
- • Colleagues
Intimate (Tui)
- • Ki korchis?
- • Best friends
- • Siblings
- • Children
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosস্যার, আপনি ______?
'Apni' (formal) always requires the '-chen' ending.
______ কি করছ?
The ending '-cho' is specific to the 'Tumi' register.
রাহুল: কিরে, কি করছিস? অনিক: আমি ______।
Since the question is in the present continuous (korchis), the answer should also be in the present continuous (khacchi).
Match: 1. তুই কি করছিস? 2. আপনি কি করছেন? 3. তুমি কি করছ?
1-B (Informal), 2-A (Formal), 3-C (Neutral/Familiar).
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's too informal. Use 'Apni ki korchen?' instead.
'Ki koro' is 'What do you do?' (habit/job). 'Ki korcho' is 'What are you doing right now?'.
Yes, it is the standard form in both regions.
You can say 'Ami [action] korchi'. For example, 'Ami kaj korchi' (I am working).
Yes, but 'Ki korchis' (Tui register) is even more common for children.
Yes, in this context it means 'What'. If it's used as a yes/no marker, it's usually placed at the end of the sentence.
Yes, it's very common and sounds more natural in casual conversation.
You would say 'Tomra ki korcho?' (What are you all doing?).
Rarely. In formal writing, you'd use more specific questions about someone's activities.
That is the formal version used for elders or people you don't know well.
Frases relacionadas
কি খবর?
similarWhat's the news? / What's up?
কি অবস্থা?
similarWhat's the situation?
কি হচ্ছে?
builds onWhat's happening?
কি করো?
contrastWhat do you do?
