Signification
Asking for identity on phone.
Contexte culturel
It is considered polite to wait for the caller to identify themselves first, but if they don't, 'Kaun bol riha hai?' is the standard prompt. In Punjabi offices, people often use 'ਕੌਣ ਗੱਲ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ?' (Who is talking?) as it sounds slightly more professional than 'bolna'. In villages, people might use the Majhi dialect form 'ਕੌਣ ਬੋਲਦਾ ਪਿਆ?' which is more colloquial. Younger Punjabis often mix English, saying 'Hello, ਕੌਣ ਬੋਲ ਰਿਹਾ?' or just 'Who's this?'.
The 'Ji' Rule
Always add 'Ji' if you don't recognize the voice. It's better to be too polite than too rude in Punjabi culture.
Gender Neutrality
If you are unsure if the caller is male or female, always use the masculine 'riha'. It is the grammatically neutral form.
Signification
Asking for identity on phone.
The 'Ji' Rule
Always add 'Ji' if you don't recognize the voice. It's better to be too polite than too rude in Punjabi culture.
Gender Neutrality
If you are unsure if the caller is male or female, always use the masculine 'riha'. It is the grammatically neutral form.
Greeting First
Never start with 'Kaun bol riha hai?'. Always say 'Hello' or 'Satsriakal' first.
Teste-toi
Complete the phone greeting.
ਹੈਲੋ, ਕੌਣ ____ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ?
'ਬੋਲ' (Bol) is the root for 'speak', which is required for this idiom.
Which is the most polite way to ask an elder who is calling?
Choose the best option:
Adding 'ਜੀ' (ji) makes the phrase respectful for elders.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ਹੈਲੋ! B: ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, ____?
In an unknown call, identifying the caller is the first step.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Someone is at your door and you can't see them.
For doors, 'Kaun hai?' is more natural than 'Kaun bol riha hai?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Kaun bol riha hai?'
Phone
- • Mobile
- • Landline
- • WhatsApp Call
Intercom
- • Gate
- • Office
- • Apartment
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesਹੈਲੋ, ਕੌਣ ____ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ?
'ਬੋਲ' (Bol) is the root for 'speak', which is required for this idiom.
Choose the best option:
Adding 'ਜੀ' (ji) makes the phrase respectful for elders.
A: ਹੈਲੋ! B: ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, ____?
In an unknown call, identifying the caller is the first step.
Someone is at your door and you can't see them.
For doors, 'Kaun hai?' is more natural than 'Kaun bol riha hai?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, but technically you should change 'riha' to 'rahi' (ਕੌਣ ਬੋਲ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ?). However, if you don't know who is calling, 'riha' is the standard default.
It's not necessarily rude, but it's very informal. 'Kaun bol riha hai' is much more natural and common.
'Bolna' means to speak/utter sounds. 'Gall karna' means to have a conversation. Both are used on the phone, but 'gall karna' is slightly more formal.
You say 'ਮੈਂ [Your Name] ਬੋਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ' (I am [Name] speaking).
Expressions liées
ਕੌਣ ਗੱਲ ਕਰ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ?
synonymWho is talking?
ਕੌਣ ਹੈ?
similarWho is it?
ਤੁਸੀਂ ਕੌਣ ਹੋ?
similarWho are you?
ਮੈਂ [Name] ਬੋਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂ
builds onI am [Name] speaking.
