A2 Questions & Negation 6 min read 쉬움

The Question Word 'Kevu' (How/What kind)

Always match the ending of Kevu to the gender and number of the noun you are describing.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'Kevu' to ask about the quality, state, or nature of a person, place, or thing.

  • Use 'Kevu' for neuter nouns: 'તમારું ઘર કેવું છે?' (How is your house?)
  • Use 'Kevi' for feminine nouns: 'તમારી તબિયત કેવી છે?' (How is your health?)
  • Use 'Kevo' for masculine nouns: 'તમારો દિવસ કેવો રહ્યો?' (How was your day?)
Noun (Gender) + કેવો/કેવી/કેવું + છે?

Overview

Meet the chameleon of the Gujarati language: Kevu. If you want to describe the world around you, you need this word. In English, we use how for many different things.
We say How are you? or
How is the weather?
or
What kind of car is that?
. In Gujarati, Kevu handles these quality and condition questions. It is not just a static word you memorize.
It is a dynamic tool that changes its shape to match whatever you are talking about. Think of it like a mirror reflecting the noun it describes. If you are talking about a masculine object, Kevu puts on its masculine suit.
If you talk about something feminine, it switches to its feminine dress. It is one of the most versatile words you will learn at the A2 level. It moves you beyond simple labels and lets you ask for opinions and descriptions.
This is the key to having real conversations rather than just pointing at things.

How This Grammar Works

In Gujarati, adjectives must agree with the noun they describe in gender and number. Since Kevu is basically an interrogative adjective, it follows this rule strictly. It has five main forms: Kevo, Kevi, Kevu, Keva, and Kevã.
You must look at the noun in your sentence first. Is it masculine, feminine, or neuter? Is there one of them or many?
Once you know that, you pick the matching version of Kevu. It is a bit like matching your socks to your outfit. If you wear one blue sock and one red sock, people will still know they are socks, but it looks a bit off. Similarly, if you say Kevo chokri (How/What kind of girl), native speakers will understand you, but their internal grammar alarm will go off.
The ending of the question word should almost always rhyme with the ending of the noun it qualifies. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are in a hurry, so don't sweat it too much! Use the O-I-U rule as your guide.
Masculine ends in 'o', feminine ends in 'i', and neuter ends in 'u'.

Formation Pattern

1
Follow these three simple steps to form your question correctly:
2
Identify the Noun: Find the person, place, or thing you are asking about.
3
Determine Gender/Number: Check if that noun is Masculine, Feminine, or Neuter, and if it is Singular or Plural.
4
Apply the Ending: Attach the correct vowel to the base Kev-.
5
Masculine Singular: Add -o → Kevo (e.g., Kevo chhokro? / What kind of boy?)
6
Feminine Singular/Plural: Add -i → Kevi (e.g., Kevi chhokri? / What kind of girl?)
7
Neuter Singular: Add -u → Kevu (e.g., Kevu phal? / What kind of fruit?)
8
Masculine Plural: Add -a → Keva (e.g., Keva chhokra? / What kind of boys?)
9
Neuter Plural: Add -ã (nasalized) → Kevã (e.g., Kevã phal? / What kind of fruits?)

When To Use It

You will use Kevu in four main real-world scenarios. First, when asking about someone's health or well-being. Instead of just a general greeting, you are asking
How are you doing?
or
How is your health?
(Tabiyat kevi che?).
Second, when asking for an opinion. If you just watched a movie or ate at a new restaurant, you ask your friend,
How was the food?
(Jamvanu kevu hatu?). Third, when you need a physical description.
If you are looking for a lost bag, you might ask,
What kind of bag was it?
(Kevi thaili hati?). Fourth, in professional settings like job interviews. You might ask,
What kind of work will I do?
(Kevu kaam hashe?).
It is the go-to word for any situation where the answer will be an adjective like good, red, spicy, or difficult.

When Not To Use It

Don't let Kevu trick you into using it for everything starting with how. Avoid using it when asking about quantity. If you want to know How much or How many, use Ketlu or Ketla. For example, don't ask Kevu sugar? when you mean How much sugar? (Ketli khand?).
Also, do not use it for manner or method. If you want to know the way to do something, use Kevi rite or Kem. For example,
How do I go there?
is not about the quality of the going; it is about the method.
Finally, do not use it for identity. If you want to know What something is, use Shu. If you ask Aa kevu che?, you are asking about its quality.
If you ask Aa shu che?, you are asking for its name.

Common Mistakes

The most frequent slip-up is the Default Neuter Trap. Learners often use Kevu for everything because it is the dictionary form. Remember: Kevu is only for neuter nouns like Phal (fruit) or Kaam (work). Another common error is ignoring the plural of respect. In Gujarati, when talking to elders or parents, we use the plural form to be polite. Even if you have only one father, you should ask Tamara pappa keva che? (using the masculine plural Keva) instead of Kevo. It is like a grammar hug for your elders! Lastly, watch out for gender-bending nouns. Some nouns look masculine but are actually feminine. For instance, Tabiyat (health) is feminine, so it is always Kevi, never Kevo or Kevu.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

It is easy to confuse Kevu with Kem. Kem usually means Why or is used in the short greeting Kem cho?. However, Kevu is about the *nature* of the thing.
If you ask Aa kevu che?, you want to know if it is good or bad. If you ask Kem che?, you are just saying hi. Think of Kevu as being linked to a Noun, while Kem is often linked to a Verb or a general state of being.
Also, contrast it with Kevi rite. Kevi rite means In what way (manner), while Kevi just means What kind of (attribute). If you are asking about a road, Kevo rasto? asks if it is paved or bumpy.
Kevi rite rasto? makes no sense—it's like asking
In what manner is the road?
which would confuse even a GPS.

Quick FAQ

Q

Does Kevu change if it comes at the end of the sentence?

Yes! It doesn't matter where it sits; it always looks back at the noun for instructions.

Q

Can I use Kevo for a group of girls?

No, for a group of girls, you use Kevi. If it is a mixed group, you use the masculine plural Keva.

Q

Is Kevu formal?

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your toddler. The politeness comes from the rest of the sentence, not this specific word.

Q

What if the noun is invisible or implied?

You usually default to the neuter Kevu if you are asking a general How is it? without a specific object in mind.

Gender Agreement for Kevu

Gender Interrogative Form Example Noun
Masculine
Kevo
Divas (Day)
Feminine
Kevi
Tabiyat (Health)
Neuter
Kevu
Ghar (House)

Meanings

Kevu is an interrogative word used to inquire about the quality, condition, or appearance of an object or person.

1

Quality/Condition

Asking about the state of something.

“તમારું કામ કેવું ચાલે છે?”

“આ પુસ્તક કેવું છે?”

2

Nature/Type

Asking for a description or classification.

“તે કેવો માણસ છે?”

“તમને કેવા કપડાં ગમે છે?”

Reference Table

Reference table for The Question Word 'Kevu' (How/What kind)
Form Structure Example
Masculine
Noun(M) + Kevo
તમારો દિવસ કેવો છે?
Feminine
Noun(F) + Kevi
તમારી બહેન કેવી છે?
Neuter
Noun(N) + Kevu
તમારું ઘર કેવું છે?
Plural
Noun(Pl) + Kevan
તમારા મિત્રો કેવા છે?

격식 수준 스펙트럼

격식체
તમારો દિવસ કેવો રહ્યો?

તમારો દિવસ કેવો રહ્યો? (Daily conversation)

중립
તમારો દિવસ કેવો હતો?

તમારો દિવસ કેવો હતો? (Daily conversation)

비격식체
દિવસ કેવો રહ્યો?

દિવસ કેવો રહ્યો? (Daily conversation)

속어
કેવો રહ્યો દિવસ?

કેવો રહ્યો દિવસ? (Daily conversation)

Kevu Gender Tree

Kevu

Masculine

  • Kevo How (M)

Feminine

  • Kevi How (F)

Neuter

  • Kevu How (N)
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수준별 예문

1

તમે કેવા છો?

How are you?

2

આ શું છે?

What is this?

1

તમારો દિવસ કેવો હતો?

How was your day?

2

તમારી તબિયત કેવી છે?

How is your health?

1

તમને કેવા પ્રકારના પુસ્તકો ગમે છે?

What kind of books do you like?

2

આ શહેર કેવું લાગે છે?

How does this city feel?

1

તમારો અનુભવ કેવો રહ્યો?

How was your experience?

2

તમારી યોજના કેવી છે?

How is your plan?

1

તેણે કેવા પ્રકારની પ્રતિક્રિયા આપી?

What kind of reaction did he give?

2

તમે કેવા સંજોગોમાં કામ કરો છો?

In what kind of circumstances do you work?

1

આ પરિસ્થિતિમાં કેવો નિર્ણય લેવો જોઈએ?

What kind of decision should be taken in this situation?

2

તમારી દ્રષ્ટિએ આ કેવું છે?

How is this from your perspective?

혼동하기 쉬운

The Question Word 'Kevu' (How/What kind) 대 Kem vs Kevu

Learners mix up 'why' and 'how'.

자주 하는 실수

✗

તમારો ઘર કેવી છે?

✓

તમારું ઘર કેવું છે?

Ghar is neuter.
✗

તમે કેવા છે?

✓

તમે કેવા છો?

Verb agreement.
✗

તે કેવો છે?

✓

તે કેવો છે?

Correct, but watch gender.
✗

તમારી કામ કેવું છે?

✓

તમારું કામ કેવું છે?

Kaam is neuter.
✗

તમારી ભાઈ કેવો છે?

✓

તમારો ભાઈ કેવો છે?

Bhai is masculine.
✗

તમારો બહેન કેવી છે?

✓

તમારી બહેન કેવી છે?

Bahen is feminine.
✗

તેણી કેવો છે?

✓

તેણી કેવી છે?

Pronoun gender.
✗

તમારા પુસ્તકો કેવા છે?

✓

તમારા પુસ્તકો કેવા છે?

Plural agreement.
✗

આ કેવું વસ્તુ છે?

✓

આ કેવી વસ્તુ છે?

Vastu is feminine.
✗

તેમણે કેવા પ્રકારનું કામ કર્યું?

✓

તેમણે કેવા પ્રકારનું કામ કર્યું?

Correct, but watch nuance.
✗

આ કેવો નિર્ણય છે?

✓

આ કેવો નિર્ણય છે?

Correct.
✗

તે કેવા રીતે થયું?

✓

તે કેવી રીતે થયું?

Reet is feminine.

문장 패턴

તમારો/તમારી/તમારું ___ કેવો/કેવી/કેવું છે?

તમને કેવા પ્રકારના ___ ગમે છે?

આ ___ કેવું લાગે છે?

Real World Usage

Social Media very common

તમારો દિવસ કેવો રહ્યો?

Job Interview common

તમારો અનુભવ કેવો છે?

Travel common

આ શહેર કેવું છે?

무료 가입하고 모든 예문 보기
💡

Check the Noun

Always look at the noun first to decide between Kevo, Kevi, or Kevu.
⚠️

Don't skip gender

Using the wrong gender form will sound unnatural to native speakers.
🎯

Listen to others

Pay attention to how native speakers use these forms in daily conversation.

Smart Tips

Match the gender of the person.

તમારો બહેન કેવો છે? → તમારી બહેન કેવી છે?

Check if the object is M, F, or N.

તમારું પુસ્તક કેવો છે? → તમારું પુસ્તક કેવું છે?

Remember 'Divas' is masculine.

દિવસ કેવી છે? → દિવસ કેવો છે?

발음

keh-voo

Kevu

The 'e' is like 'met', 'u' is like 'put'.

Rising

તમારું ઘર કેવું છે? ↑

Standard question intonation.

암기하기

기억법

Kevo is for Men, Kevi is for Ladies, Kevu is for the rest (Neuter).

시각적 연상

Imagine a man wearing a 'Kevo' hat, a woman with a 'Kevi' scarf, and a house with a 'Kevu' door.

Rhyme

Kevo for he, Kevi for she, Kevu for the thing, as easy as can be!

Story

Rahul (M) asks his sister (F) how the house (N) is. He says 'Rahul, ghar kevu che?'. She replies 'Ghar saru che'.

Word Web

KevoKeviKevuKemKyanKon

챌린지

Ask 3 people today how their day was using the correct gender form.

문화 노트

Asking 'How are you' is a sign of respect and care in Gujarati culture.

Derived from Sanskrit interrogative roots.

대화 시작하기

“

તમારો દિવસ કેવો છે?

“

તમને કેવા કપડાં ગમે છે?

“

તમારો અનુભવ કેવો રહ્યો?

일기 주제

Describe your house.
Describe your best friend.
Write about a recent trip.

자주 하는 실수

Incorrect

정답

Incorrect

정답

Incorrect

정답

Incorrect

정답

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Test Yourself

Select the correct form. 객관식

તમારો દિવસ ___ છે?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: કેવો
Divas is masculine.
Fill in the blank.

તમારી તબિયત ___ છે?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: કેવી
Tabiyat is feminine.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

તમારું ભાઈ કેવો છે?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: તમારો ભાઈ કેવો છે?
Bhai is masculine.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: તમારું ઘર કેવું છે?
Standard word order.

Score: /4

연습 문제

4 exercises
Select the correct form. 객관식

તમારો દિવસ ___ છે?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: કેવો
Divas is masculine.
Fill in the blank.

તમારી તબિયત ___ છે?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: કેવી
Tabiyat is feminine.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

તમારું ભાઈ કેવો છે?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: તમારો ભાઈ કેવો છે?
Bhai is masculine.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

છે / ઘર / કેવું / તમારું

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: તમારું ઘર કેવું છે?
Standard word order.

Score: /4

자주 묻는 질문 (6)

It changes to match the gender of the noun it describes.

Yes, it is used to ask about someone's state or quality.

Yes, use 'Kevan' for plural nouns.

It is neutral and used in all registers.

Try to learn the noun with its gender from the start.

Kem is for 'why', Kevu is for 'how/what kind'.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Cómo

Gujarati inflects for gender; Spanish does not.

French moderate

Comment

Gujarati requires gender agreement.

German moderate

Wie

Gujarati uses an adjective form that changes.

Japanese low

Dono

Japanese uses particles; Gujarati uses suffix inflection.

Arabic moderate

Kayfa

Gujarati gender agreement is mandatory.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Connected Grammar

Noun Gender

Prerequisite

You need to know gender to use Kevu.

Adjective Agreement

Similar

Adjectives follow the same gender rules.

Previous
Casual Imperative (Tu)
Next
The Verb 'Hato' (Was)
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