BeginnerFormalStandard

How are you? (polite)

Kemon achhen?

KA-mon AH-chhen?

About this phrase

Why it works

The polite, apni-register version of 'how are you?'; use with elders, teachers, and anyone you'd address respectfully. Ask this right after a formal greeting.

Literally

How are (you)?

When to use it

Ask this right after a greeting. Use with elders, teachers, or anyone you'd address respectfully.

How it feels

Polite and caring.

Formality

Formal, uses the 'apni' register

Grammar

Word by word

Inside achhen

achheto be present, to exist, to haveExistential stem-enyou (polite)Apni present endingachhenyou are (polite)

achhe → achh + -en → achhen

You (apni) · Present · Formal

See the full achhe conjugationachhe: to be present, to exist, to have, all persons & tenses

The full explanation

The whole phrase literally asks 'how do you exist?' = 'how are you?', in the respectful register.

kemon: the question word 'how'.

achhen; 'you are (polite)': the apni-register present of the existential verb achhe 'to be, exist', stem achh- + the formal ending -en.

Rules in this phrase

Is there, is somewhere: achheachhi or achho or achhen or achhe

Question words go where the answer goeskothay or kokhon or keno or ki or koto or kon

Examples

Kemon achhen, sir?

How are you, sir?

Bhalo achhi, dhonnobad. Apni?

I'm well, thank you. And you?

In a conversation

You

Assalamu alaikum, kemon achhen?

Peace be upon you, how are you?

Them

Walaikum assalam, bhalo achhi. Apni?

And peace upon you. I'm well. And you?

You

Amio bhalo achhi, dhonnobad.

I'm well too, thank you.

Common replies

Bhalo achhi

I'm well

Achhi konomote

getting by