English · Greetings & essentials
Kaun? in English: Who? (कौन?)
Who?
Hindi (Devanagari)
कौन?
Hindi (English letters)
kaun?
कौन? (kaun?) can be expressed as “Who?” in English. For example: “Who is outside?”
“kaun?” kehna ho, to English mein “Who?” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
Door knock
Who is outside?
कौन है बाहर?
kaun hai baahar?
How to pronounce “Who?”
Say it in English
hoo
This is a sound guide for English, using a common American pronunciation. CAPITAL letters mark the stronger syllable in a longer word. Say the example sentence at a comfortable pace; Hindi spelling does not map sound for sound to English.
Who?: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Who? | कौन? kaun? The basic pronoun form; compare the complete expressions below. | The basic pronoun form; compare the complete expressions below. |
| Who is outside? | कौन है बाहर? kaun hai baahar? Door knock | Door knock |
| Who is that gentleman? | वो सज्जन कौन हैं? vo sajjan kaun hain? Meeting intro | Meeting intro |
“Who?” stands in for a person or thing. Check whether the example uses it as the subject, object, or owner before replacing a name with it.
English keeps these roles distinct: I/me/my and he/him/his are different forms. Use the form needed by the English sentence rather than copying the Hindi word order.
How to use “Who?” in English sentences
1. Door knock
Who is outside?
कौन है बाहर?
kaun hai baahar?
2. Meeting intro
Who is that gentleman?
वो सज्जन कौन हैं?
vo sajjan kaun hain?
3. Past action
Who could send this message — who sent it?
यह संदेश कौन भेज सकता है, किसने भेजा?
yeh sandesh kaun bhej sakta hai, kisne bheja?
Common mistakes with “Who?”
Instead of
Who are outside?
Say this
Who is outside?
Keep is with the singular subject in this sentence. Check the complete subject before choosing is or are.
Instead of
Who are that gentleman?
Say this
Who is that gentleman?
Keep is with the singular subject in this sentence. Check the complete subject before choosing is or are.
A new face at a party
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
Who is that person in the red kurta?
Show Hindi meaning
वो लाल कुर्ता कौन हैं?
vo laal kurta kaun hain?
You
I think they're Rahul's cousin — shall I ask who?
Show Hindi meaning
मेरे ख्याल से राहुल के कज़िन हैं — पूछूँ कौन?
mere khyaal se Raahul ke cousin hain — poochhoon kaun?
Partner
Yes, please ask the name.
Show Hindi meaning
हाँ, ज़रा नाम पूछ लीजिए।
haan, zara naam poochh lijiye.
You
Hello, who are you? Rahul's relative?
Show Hindi meaning
नमस्ते, आप कौन हैं? राहुल के रिश्तेदार?
namaste, aap kaun hain? Raahul ke rishtedaar?
Your turn: use “Who?”
Say this in English: वो सज्जन कौन हैं? (vo sajjan kaun hain?)
Reveal sample answer
Who is that gentleman?
वो सज्जन कौन हैं?
vo sajjan kaun hain?
Compare your word order with “Who is that gentleman?” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “Who?” in English
Kaun? ko English mein kya kehte hain?
कौन? (kaun?) can be expressed as “Who?” in English. For example: “Who is outside?”
What does “Who?” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “Who?” means कौन? (kaun?). The sentence “Who is outside?” shows it in context.
How do I use “Who?” in a sentence?
Who is that gentleman? Hindi meaning: वो सज्जन कौन हैं? (vo sajjan kaun hain?). “Who?” stands in for a person or thing. Check whether the example uses it as the subject, object, or owner before replacing a name with it.
What should I watch for when using “Who?”?
English keeps these roles distinct: I/me/my and he/him/his are different forms. Use the form needed by the English sentence rather than copying the Hindi word order.
