BeginnerFormalStandard

Excuse me? / Are you listening?

Shunchhen?

SHUN-chhen?

About this phrase

Literally

Are-you-hearing?

When to use it

A common way to get a stranger's attention politely, roughly equivalent to 'excuse me', literally asks if the person is listening.

How it feels

Polite, formal register; used with strangers of any age.

Formality

Formal, uses the 'apni' register

Word by word

Shunchhen? Ei rasta-ta kothay jay?

Excuse me? Where does this road go?

Shunchhen, ektu shahajjo lagbe

Excuse me, I need a bit of help

Tourist

Shunchhen? Station-ta kon dike?

Excuse me? Which way is the station?

Local

Shoja giye bame

Go straight then left

Ji bolen

Yes, go ahead

Ji, ki bolben?

Yes, what would you like to say?