The phrase “What about you?” is commonly used in English to ask for someone’s opinion, feelings, or actions in a given situation, especially after giving one’s own answer. This phrase invites the other person to share their thoughts or experiences. In Nepali, the phrase “What about you?” can be translated as “तिम्रो चाहिँ?” (Timro chahi?), “तिमीलाई नि” (Timilai ni?) or “तिम्रो के छ?” (Timiro ke cha?), depending on the context.
This phrase is widely used in conversations to keep the dialogue balanced by asking the other person for their input. In this blog post, we’ll break down the meaning of “What about you?” in Nepali, how to use it in different contexts, and we will provide example sentences in English and Nepali.
What Does “What About You?” Mean in Nepali?
In English, “What about you?” is used to ask a question that encourages the other person to express themselves after you’ve shared something about yourself. It’s a great way to involve someone in a conversation and make them feel valued.
In Nepali, this can be phrased in a few different ways depending on the situation:
Timro bichar ni? (तिम्रो विचार नि?)
This translation is more direct and means something along the lines of “What about you?” or “What do you think?”
Timilai ni? (तिमीलाई नि?)
This is another variation and can be used to ask about someone’s well-being, as in “How are you?” or “What’s up with you?”
Each of these translations is appropriate in different contexts. Let’s explore how to use them in conversation with some examples.
Example 1: Asking for an Opinion
English: I like coffee. What about you?
Nepali: Malai coffee manparcha. Timilai ni? (मलाई कफी मनपर्छ। तिमीलाई नि?)
In this sentence, you are sharing your own preference first (liking coffee) and then asking for the other person’s opinion. This makes the conversation balanced and interactive.
Example 2: Asking About Someone’s Preferences
English: I will go to the party tonight. What about you?
Nepali: Ma aja rati party jaanchu. Timi ni? (म आज राति पार्टी जान्छु। तिमी नि?)
Here, you’re expressing your plans to go to a party and asking whether the other person will do the same or something different.
Example 3: Asking About Feelings
English: I am feeling tired. What about you?
Nepali: Ma thakai lagyo. Timilai ni? (म थाकाइ लाग्यो। तिमीलाई नि?)
In this example, you are sharing how you feel and asking the other person about their feelings in return. This is a common way to maintain a conversation around feelings and well-being.
Example 4: Asking About Plans
English: I am going to the gym after work. What about you?
Nepali: Ma kaam pachi gym jaanchu. Timi ni? (म काम पछि जिम जान्छु। तिमी नि?)
This sentence is asking the other person if they have similar plans or something else in mind after work.
Cultural Use of “What About You?” in Nepali Conversations
In Nepali culture, conversation often revolves around hospitality and politeness. Asking “What about you?” shows that you are interested in the other person’s opinions or feelings, making the conversation more respectful and inclusive.
When speaking with elders or people of higher authority, Nepali speakers often add respectful forms like “तपाईं” (Tapai) instead of “तिमी” (Timi) to show politeness.
This practice is especially important when speaking with elders, teachers, or in formal settings. Using respectful language helps maintain social harmony and conveys humility.
Conclusion
The phrase “What about you?” is an essential part of any conversation, allowing for a balanced exchange of ideas and opinions. In Nepali, this phrase can be expressed depending on the situation.