Meaning
Asking for the day of the week.
Cultural Background
In Bangladesh, the work week typically starts on Sunday and ends on Thursday. Friday (Shukrobar) is the most important day for religious and social gatherings. In West Bengal, the weekend follows the international standard of Saturday and Sunday. Sunday (Robibar) is the primary day for family outings and special 'Sunday Mutton' lunches. Many Bengalis associate specific days with deities. Thursday (Brihoshpotibar) is often called 'Lokkhi Bar' and is considered auspicious for financial matters. In rural areas, 'Haat Bar' (Market Day) is often more important than the actual name of the day. People might answer 'Aj ki bar?' by saying it's the day the local market meets.
The 'Ajke' Trick
Use 'Ajke' instead of 'Aj' to sound more like a local in Kolkata or Dhaka.
Date vs Day
Never use 'Bar' if you want to know the date. People will be confused if you ask 'Aj ki bar?' and expect '12th' as an answer.
Meaning
Asking for the day of the week.
The 'Ajke' Trick
Use 'Ajke' instead of 'Aj' to sound more like a local in Kolkata or Dhaka.
Date vs Day
Never use 'Bar' if you want to know the date. People will be confused if you ask 'Aj ki bar?' and expect '12th' as an answer.
Weekend Awareness
Remember that the answer 'Shukrobar' (Friday) means something very different in Bangladesh than in India!
Politeness
Adding 'Bhai' (Brother) or 'Didi' (Sister) before the phrase makes it much friendlier when asking strangers.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to ask 'What day is it today?'.
আজ ___ বার?
'কি' (ki) is the interrogative for 'what'.
Which of these is the correct way to ask for the day of the week?
Select the correct phrase:
'Bar' specifically refers to the day of the week.
Match the Bengali day with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for the days of the week.
Complete the dialogue.
A: আজ কি বার? B: আজ ________। (It is Wednesday)
Budhbar is the Bengali word for Wednesday.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
The Seven Bars of the Week
Weekdays
- • Sombar
- • Mongolbar
- • Budhbar
- • Brihoshpotibar
- • Shukrobar (BD)
Weekend
- • Robibar (IN)
- • Shonibar (BD)
Bar vs. Tarikh
Practice Bank
4 exercisesআজ ___ বার?
'কি' (ki) is the interrogative for 'what'.
Select the correct phrase:
'Bar' specifically refers to the day of the week.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard translations for the days of the week.
A: আজ কি বার? B: আজ ________। (It is Wednesday)
Budhbar is the Bengali word for Wednesday.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIn speech, they are the same. In writing, 'কী' is technically for information questions like this, but 'কি' is widely accepted and used.
Yes, in very informal settings, but it might be ambiguous. 'Aj ki bar?' is clearer.
Use 'Kal ki bar chhilo?'.
Bengali script does not have capital letters, so no!
Yes, just like in Latin-based languages. Robi (Sun), Som (Moon), Mongol (Mars), etc.
Usually just the name of the day, like 'Sombar' or 'Aj Sombar'.
Yes, but only in the sense of 'one time' (ek bar). For clock time, use 'Somoy'.
It is neutral. You can use it with anyone.
Bengali is a zero-copula language in the present tense for identity/state sentences.
Say 'Aj koto tarikh?'.
Related Phrases
আজ কত তারিখ?
similarWhat is the date today?
কাল কি বার?
builds onWhat day is tomorrow?
ছুটির দিন
relatedHoliday/Day off
সপ্তাহের দিন
specialized formWeekday
বারবেলা
specialized formInauspicious time of the day
