Meaning
A common way to ask someone's well-being.
Cultural Background
In Kolkata, 'Kemon acho' is often said with a slightly more melodic, rising intonation. It's common to follow it up with 'Ki khobor?' (What's the news?). In Dhaka, you might hear 'Kemon achen' more frequently in public spaces, but 'Kemon acho' remains the standard for the massive youth and student population. The response 'Alhamdulillah, bhalo' is very common among the Muslim population. In London or New York, 'Kemon acho' is a powerful 'shibboleth'—a way for Bengalis to instantly connect and recognize each other in a foreign land. In villages, the question is often more direct: 'Sharir-goti kemon?' (How is the body moving/health?). 'Kemon acho' might be seen as a bit 'shohure' (urban/city-like).
Drop the Tumi
Native speakers rarely say 'Tumi kemon acho?'. Just saying 'Kemon acho?' sounds much more natural.
The Elder Rule
If the person has grey hair or is your boss, NEVER use 'acho'. Stick to 'achen'.
Meaning
A common way to ask someone's well-being.
Drop the Tumi
Native speakers rarely say 'Tumi kemon acho?'. Just saying 'Kemon acho?' sounds much more natural.
The Elder Rule
If the person has grey hair or is your boss, NEVER use 'acho'. Stick to 'achen'.
The Food Follow-up
To sound truly Bengali, follow up 'Kemon acho?' with 'Khaoa-daoa hoyeche?' (Have you eaten?).
Texting Slang
In texts, you can write 'kmn acho' or even just 'kmn?' to be super casual.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence for a friend.
তুমি কেমন ____?
For 'tumi' (informal/neutral 'you'), the correct verb form is 'acho'.
Match the greeting to the person.
Who would you say 'কেমন আছো?' to?
You use 'acho' with family members and friends of a similar age.
Fill in the missing word to ask 'How is everyone at home?'
বাড়ির ____ কেমন আছো?
'Sobai' means 'everyone'. The phrase 'Barir sobai kemon acho?' is a very common way to ask about family.
Complete the dialogue.
A: কেমন আছো? B: ______। তুমি কেমন আছো?
'Ami bhalo achi' (I am well) is the standard response to 'Kemon acho?'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
The Three Ways to Ask 'How Are You?'
Common Responses
Positive
- • ভালো আছি (I'm good)
- • খুব ভালো (Very good)
Neutral
- • এই তো চলছে (It's going)
- • মোটামুটি (So-so)
Negative
- • ভালো নেই (Not good)
- • শরীর খারাপ (Sick)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesতুমি কেমন ____?
For 'tumi' (informal/neutral 'you'), the correct verb form is 'acho'.
Who would you say 'কেমন আছো?' to?
You use 'acho' with family members and friends of a similar age.
বাড়ির ____ কেমন আছো?
'Sobai' means 'everyone'. The phrase 'Barir sobai kemon acho?' is a very common way to ask about family.
A: কেমন আছো? B: ______। তুমি কেমন আছো?
'Ami bhalo achi' (I am well) is the standard response to 'Kemon acho?'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe most common reply is 'Bhalo achi' (I am well). You can also say 'Ei to cholche' (It's going/so-so).
No, that would be considered disrespectful. Use 'Kemon achen?' instead.
'Acho' is for friends/peers (tumi). 'Achis' is for very close friends or younger siblings (tui).
It is spelled কেমন (Kemon). The pronunciation is /kæmon/.
No, Bengali verbs do not change based on the gender of the person you are talking to.
You can say 'Khub ekta bhalo nei' (Not very well) or 'Shorir-ta bhalo nei' (My health isn't good).
'Ki khobor' means 'What's the news?' and is more casual, like 'What's up?'.
Yes, but it's better to say 'Sobai kemon acho?' (How is everyone?).
That is just a variation in transliteration; the Bengali script remains the same.
It's better to use 'Kemon achen' (formal) for strangers to be polite.
Related Phrases
কেমন আছেন?
specialized formHow are you? (Formal)
কেমন আছিস?
specialized formHow are you? (Intimate)
কি খবর?
similarWhat's the news? / What's up?
ভালো আছি
builds onI am well
সব ঠিক তো?
similarEverything okay?
