Meaning
A question about location.
Cultural Background
When asking 'Where are you from?', Iranians often expect the name of a city rather than just 'Iran'. Regional identity is very strong. In the capital, 'Kojā' is used constantly to navigate the heavy traffic. 'Kojā-ye Tehrān?' (Where in Tehran?) is a common follow-up because the city is so large. In Dari, 'Kojā' is often pronounced with a slightly different vowel sound, and 'Kujā' is common. The usage remains identical to Iranian Persian. In Tajiki, written in Cyrillic as 'Куҷо', the word is used similarly but often paired with different verb endings.
The 'i' trick
Add 'i' to 'kojā' to immediately ask someone where they are from in a casual way: 'Kojāyi?'
Word Order
Don't start every sentence with 'Kojā' like in English. It often sounds better after the subject.
Meaning
A question about location.
The 'i' trick
Add 'i' to 'kojā' to immediately ask someone where they are from in a casual way: 'Kojāyi?'
Word Order
Don't start every sentence with 'Kojā' like in English. It often sounds better after the subject.
Rhetorical Power
Use 'Kojā...' to express that two things are worlds apart. 'In kojā o ān kojā!' (This is so different from that!)
Polite Origins
Always use 'Ahle kojā...' in formal settings rather than just 'Kojāyi?'
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'where'.
ببخشید، کتابخانه _______ است؟
The sentence asks for the location of the library, so 'kojā' is the correct interrogative.
Choose the correct translation for 'Where are you from?'
How do you ask someone's origin?
'Ahle kojā' is the standard way to ask about someone's origin or nationality.
Complete the dialogue.
A: سلام، _______؟ B: من در بازار هستم.
Since the answer is a location (in the bazaar), the question must be 'Where are you?' (Kojāyi).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a train station and need the ticket office.
Asking for the location of the ticket office requires 'kojā'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesببخشید، کتابخانه _______ است؟
The sentence asks for the location of the library, so 'kojā' is the correct interrogative.
How do you ask someone's origin?
'Ahle kojā' is the standard way to ask about someone's origin or nationality.
A: سلام، _______؟ B: من در بازار هستم.
Since the answer is a location (in the bazaar), the question must be 'Where are you?' (Kojāyi).
You are at a train station and need the ticket office.
Asking for the location of the ticket office requires 'kojā'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is neutral and used in both formal writing and casual speech.
Informally: 'Kojāyi?'. Formally: 'Shomā kojā hastid?'.
No, 'Kojā' is only for location. Use 'Kay' for time.
It is a contraction of 'Kojā' (where) and 'ast' (is).
Say 'Dastshuyi kojāst?'.
'Kojā' is 'where'. 'Kojāyi' can mean 'where are you' or 'from where'.
Yes, to ask where they are: 'Ali kojāst?'.
Yes, very frequently, often to represent a spiritual search.
Use 'Har-kojā'.
Use 'Hich-kojā'.
Yes, 'Kojā-hā' is used when asking about multiple places.
It means 'Where of it?', used to find a specific spot within a location.
Related Phrases
هر کجا
builds onEverywhere / Wherever
هیچکجا
contrastNowhere
یکجا
similarSomewhere / In one place
کجایی
specialized formWhere are you? / From where?
کجاست
specialized formWhere is it?
