Signification
Asking about a person.
Contexte culturel
In Mongolia, it's common to ask about someone's family or origin after asking 'Who is that?'. Identity is collective. Historically, identifying a distant rider on the steppe was a safety measure. 'Тэр хэн бэ?' was a vital question. In the city, this phrase is used just like in any Western city to ask about colleagues or social media contacts. In some traditional contexts, people might avoid saying a name directly and instead describe the person's relation.
The 'N' Rule
Always use 'бэ' after 'хэн' because 'хэн' ends in 'н'. This is the most important grammar rule for this phrase.
Don't be too blunt
While 'Тэр хэн бэ?' is neutral, pointing directly at someone while saying it can be rude. Use your eyes or a subtle nod instead.
Signification
Asking about a person.
The 'N' Rule
Always use 'бэ' after 'хэн' because 'хэн' ends in 'н'. This is the most important grammar rule for this phrase.
Don't be too blunt
While 'Тэр хэн бэ?' is neutral, pointing directly at someone while saying it can be rude. Use your eyes or a subtle nod instead.
Add 'хүн'
Adding 'хүн' (person) to make it 'Тэр хүн хэн бэ?' makes you sound much more fluent and polite.
Gender Neutrality
Don't worry about 'he' or 'she'. 'Тэр' covers everyone, which makes your life as a learner much easier!
Teste-toi
Complete the question to ask 'Who is that?'
Тэр ____ бэ?
'Хэн' is the word for 'who'.
Which particle is correct after 'хэн'?
Тэр хэн ____?
Words ending in 'н' take the particle 'бэ'.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Тэр хэн бэ? B: ________.
The answer should identify the person.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You see a stranger in a photo.
Use 'Тэр хэн бэ?' to ask about a person's identity.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesТэр ____ бэ?
'Хэн' is the word for 'who'.
Тэр хэн ____?
Words ending in 'н' take the particle 'бэ'.
A: Тэр хэн бэ? B: ________.
The answer should identify the person.
You see a stranger in a photo.
Use 'Тэр хэн бэ?' to ask about a person's identity.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is neutral. To be more polite, say 'Тэр хүн хэн бэ?'.
Yes, you can use it for anyone of any age.
'Тэр' is for someone far away; 'Энэ' is for someone close.
Because 'хэн' ends in 'н', and Mongolian grammar requires 'бэ' after 'н'.
Use the plural: 'Тэд хэн бэ?'.
No, use 'Тэр юу вэ?' or 'Тэр ямар нохой вэ?'.
Yes, but it's better to ask a colleague privately rather than shouting it out.
It doesn't matter! 'Тэр' is gender-neutral.
Not exactly. It's a question particle. Mongolian often doesn't use a verb for 'is' in these sentences.
Say 'Тэр бол [Name]' or 'Тэр миний [Relationship]'.
Expressions liées
Энэ хэн бэ?
similarWho is this?
Тэд хэн бэ?
builds onWho are they?
Тэр юу вэ?
contrastWhat is that?
Та хэн бэ?
similarWho are you? (formal)
Нэр хэн бэ?
specialized formWhat is the name?
