How to Say ‘Where are you from?’ in Traditional Chinese
你是哪裡人？
nǐ shì nǎ lǐ rén
[nǐ shir nǎlǐ ren]
💬 Usage Tip: Question words stay where the answer would go, so 哪裡人 "where person" is answered by 美國人 in the same spot. You never move the question word to the front like English "where".
Phrase Breakdown
你是
nǐ shì
you are
你 (you) + 是 (are).
你是老師嗎？
Are you a teacher?
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nǐ]
you
Refers to the person being spoken to.
你今天看起來很高興。
You look happy today.
是
shì
[shir]
to be; am/is/are
是 is the verb 'to be' used for identity, emphasis, or agreement.
我也是剛畢業的新鮮人。
I am also a recent graduate.
哪裡人？
nǎ lǐ rén
from where?
哪裡 (where) + 人 (person). Together with 你是, it asks 'Where are you from?'
他是哪裡人？
Where is he from?
Words in this phrase
哪裡
nǎ lǐ
[nǎlǐ]
where
A question word asking about location.
你住在哪裡？
Where do you live?
人
rén
[ren]
person; people
A human being or individual.
這裡的人都很樂於合作。
The people here are all happy to cooperate.
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