How Are You In Gujarati: 10 Simple Phrases For Travelers

As an avid traveler, you know that the best adventures aren’t just about ticking destinations off a list. Travel is, in fact, essentially about connecting with people. And what better way to break the ice than speaking the local language during your travels? From learning warm greetings to mastering local numbers and cultural quirks, every phrase brings you closer to the heart of a place.

During your travels across India, you’ve likely discovered its rich and colorful canvas of languages, traditions, and histories. Among them, Gujarati stands out as a vibrant language spoken by millions. And if there’s one universal phrase to spark a friendly chat, it’s How are you in Gujarati. So, let’s dive in and learn how to say this simple yet powerful greeting in Gujarati!

How Are You In Gujarati – Kem Chho?

The moment you enter any city of Gujarat, people welcome you with a warm wide smile and ask you Kem Chho? (કેમ છો?) – How are you in Gujarati. This is also how every Indian greets you when you meet them for the first time as this is the ice-breaking conversation starter.

The word Kem means “How” and the word Chho is the ‘to-be’ verb in Gujarati. Chho is used in the third person singular or plural form. The Chho form shows respect to elders and strangers. It is a mandatory etiquette for non-native speakers to address elders and strangers in the respectful form when talking to locals.

This is a common everyday phrase used all over Gujarat. But there are four more ways of asking how are you in Gujarati that may vary from one region to another.

Other Ways To Say How Are You In Gujarati

Indian languages are so rich that you won’t find just one of asking something. There are so many different ways of asking a simple thing that add a spice or a new flavour to the language. I’m here to give you four more ways other than Kem Chho for asking how are you in Gujarati.

1. Tu Kem Chhe? (તું કેમ છે?)

First is a slight variation of Kem Chho. This is the second person singular form, meaning, more informal and casual. You can use this for someone of your age or younger than you, a friend, a close acquaintance, etc.

2. Haal Chaal Kem Chhe? (હાલચાલ કેમ છે?)

This is more like asking about one’s well being. Literally translating to “Are you doing well?” This can be used in a situation where you fairly know the person or is a friend/family.

3. Kevi Katha Chhe? (કેવી કથા છે?)

This is a fun and casual way of saying “How’s it going?” It literally means “What’s the story?” So, think of it as saying, “What’s up!”

4. Tame Maja Ma Chho Ne? (તમે મજા માં છો ને?)

This phrase can be translated as, “I hope you’re doing well?” or “Are you feeling happy?” Isn’t it a cute way of asking for one’s well-being?

Asking How Are You In Different Regions Of Gujarat

Ahmedabad/ Vadodara – The Standard Gujarati

Kem Chho (કેમ છો?) is the standard Gujarati common phrase that everyone knows. This region is the commercial heart of Gujarat. It blends modern city life with centuries-old tradition. Expect polite, textbook-ish Gujarati but with a little more warmth.

Rajkot/ Junagadh – The Saurashtra Region

Kevi Katha Chhe, Bhai? (કેવી કથા છે, ભાઈ?). This translates to, “What’s the story, brother? / What’s up?” The Saurashtra region is known for its folk music, food, and hearty humor. The people there speak Gujarati as if they’re singing. The locals here talk in metaphors and use playful expressions in daily conversation.

Kutch (Bhuj, Mandvi)

Taado kem chhe? (તાડો કેમ છે?) This is Kutchhi, a dialect of Gujarati. Kutch is the land of white salt desert, beautifully embroidered colorful outfits, and the language here is softer and leans a little towards the Sindhi language.

Surat / Navsari (South Gujarat)

Shu chalay chhe aaje? (શું ચાલે છે આજે?). This Gujarati greeting translates to “What’s going on today?”
The South of Gujarat is the sweetest Gujarat region of all, literally and linguistically. This city of mangoes, diamonds, and a melodious tone of Gujarati with Marathi influence.

Tribal Belt (Dahod, Panchmahal, Dang)

Haal chaal keva chhe? (હાલચાલ કેવા છે?) This Gujarati phrase translates to “How is your health?”
The word Haa chaal (હાલચાલ) means well-being or health. The tribal belt of Gujarat is home to tribal communities like Bhil and Dangi. This region blends Gujarati with local dialects, and greetings here are simple, earthy, and deeply rooted in warmth.

How To Respond To How Are You In Gujarati?

You’ve just learned different ways to say how are you in Gujarati, but that isn’t enough. How would you respond to this question? It is equally important to respond in order to keep the conversation going. It also helps in connecting with locals and bond with them.

Just like how we say, “I’m fine, thank you”, or “I’m very well” in English, there are a few Gujarati phrases you can use in response to this question. Let’s have a look!

1. I’m Fine, How Are You?

A great response when asked either Kem Chho or Tu kem chhe, you can say Hoon maja maa chhoon (હૂં મજા માં છૂ), which means “I’m doing good” or “I’m fine”. Or, you can simply reply saying, “Saru chhe, tame kem chho?” (સારું છે, તમે કેમ છો?) – I’m fine, how are you?

2. Everything’s Fine!

The answer to “How’re things going?” is “Everything’s fine!” How do you say that in Gujarati? Just smile and say, Badhu Saaru Chhe (બધુ સારું છે). Or, if you’re busy, say Theek chhe, kaam ma gham chhoon (ઠીક છે, કામ માં ગમ છું) – It’s going well, I’m busy with work.

3. Everything’s Great!

If someone asks how you are in Rajkot, that is, Kevi Katha Chhe? You can reply with Bas Vadhiya Chhe (બસ વાઢિયા છે) – Everything’s great! But, if you don’t have anything new to say, you can say Kaai Navi Vaat Nathi (કાંઈ નવી વાત નથી) – Nothing much.

4. All Good – The Kutchhi Way

When you visit the white sand deserts in Kutch and you meet a tour guide asks you how you are, Taado Kem chhe? Say Taado Saru Chhe (ટાળો સારું છે) – I’m doing well! Or an even better response, Shaanti chhe, tame shun chho? (શાંતિ છે, તમે શું છો?) – It’s peaceful, how about you?

5. Just The Usual!

A beautiful blend of Gujarati language and English can be seen in the South Gujarat region, where they use words like routine in the response, like for every Su chaale chhe aaje? the response is Bas routine chhe. (બસ રૂટિન છે) – Just the usual.

6. You Too Are Doing Well, Right?

What do we say when we’re asked if we’re doing well? I’m doing very well, I hope you too, right? Similarly, for Tame maja maa chho ne, the common answer is Haan, maja maa chhiye (હાં, મજા માં છીએ) – Yes, I’m doing very well. Tame pan maja ma ne? (તમે પણ મજામાં ને?) – You too, right?

How Do You Say How Are You In Gujarati?

While each region of Gujarat has its own way of saying how are you, the most common way of saying it is Kem Chho (કેમ છો) or Tu Kem Chhe (તું કેમ છે).

The more common way of saying is Kem Chho, which is applicable to both the elderly, strangers, friends, family, etc. Tu Kem Chhe is more informal and can be addressed to a close friend, acquaintance, or a younger family member.

Reply to this greeting with, Hoon Saru Chhe, Tame Kem Chho? (હૂં સારું છે, તમે કેમ છો?) – I’m fine, how are you?

How Are You In Gujarati Vocabulary

Tips To Master Saying How Are You In Gujarati

• Speak, speak, and speak – That’s the only way you can improve in any language. This phrase itself is helpful in socialising and can be used to approach strangers, friends, family, who will instantly find you interesting and worth talking to.

• Pronunciation first – Although Gujaratis are the sweetest when it comes to conversation, and won’t mind little mispronunciations, but let’s not leave a chance to impress in the first go. Learn the right way to pronounce the words, in the right tone, and a bit of accent (helps a lot).

• Grace Up! – Yes, your body language, your gestures matter a lot. I can’t stress enough on the fact that Indians are super warm and welcoming, and so are there gestures. Match up to them with smiles, folded hands, and a little grace, you’re our favourite, instantly!

• Make Gujarati Friends – Befriend a lot of Gujaratis, not just for improving your language, but for good food and really strong friendships. Gujaratis are always happy to help you.

FAQs About How Are You In Gujarati

Let’s Wrap Up How Are You In Gujarati

So far, you’ve learned how to ask and respond to how are you in Gujarati if someone approached you and asked for your well-being. You’re now equipped with the basics to travel in a city that has a rich history, and also a modern touch emerging in the last few years. Don’t forget to check out our other Gujarati blog posts to connect with locals in Gujarat!

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You can practice speaking real-life conversations with Ling’s smart chatbot Dialog, review what you have learned with quizzes, and track your daily progress. So, start learning Gujarati with Ling today and feel confident connecting with locals across Gujarat, one phrase at a time!