کون
Asking Who
Use کون when the missing information is a person’s identity. A reply usually names or identifies that person.
How It Works
باہر کون ہے؟ asks who is outside. A reply such as باہر ندا ہے replaces the question word with the person's name.
Use the same question word when asking about a known person's identity: یہ لڑکی کون ہے؟. Urdu does not require a different کون for a girl or a boy.
Before سے, singular who becomes کس: آپ کس سے بات کر رہے ہیں؟. The postposition belongs to the question phrase, so do not leave کون unchanged in that construction.
You will also meet plural کن before postpositions. Start by recognizing the difference between direct کون and an oblique phrase such as کس سے.
Examples (4)
- باہر کون ہے؟
Who is outside?
کون asks for the person outside.
- یہ لڑکی کون ہے؟
Who is this girl?
The same کون can ask about a female person.
- وہ کون ہے؟
Who is that?
The question asks the listener to identify someone.
- آپ کس سے بات کر رہے ہیں؟
Who are you talking to?
کس is the singular oblique form before سے; this uses masculine respectful agreement.
Common Mistakes
Leaving کون in a phrase that needs the oblique form.
آپ کون سے بات کر رہے ہیں؟آپ کس سے بات کر رہے ہیں؟For “to whom” with بات کرنا, use کس سے. کون سے has a different use when it means “which.”
How It Connects
Learn This First
Recognize an information-seeking question before replacing a person with کون.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice کون in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Urdu lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
