Q13: 'where do you come from?' or 'where are you from?'

Question

Hello,

What's the difference between asking somebody 'where do you come from?' and 'where are you from?', please?

Could we say either of them if we want to ask somebody where he/she is originally (or actually) from? Isn't it that saying 'where do you come from?' has more than one meaning; is ambiguous in meaning?

Thank you.

Clive · Accepted Answer

I don't hear Where do you come from? very often.

Here's what I usually hear.
Where are you from?
Much depends on the context.
eg If you are in a conversation about cities, the answer will likely be a city.
Or eg a suburb, if the conversation is about the suburbs of the city you are currently in.

Where are you from originally?
Again, much depends on the context.
Another consideration is the reason for your question. Are you assuming, for example, that a person is not originally from Canada because he looks Chinese? Such assumptions are unwise, and may lead to trouble.

TomJ · Answer

The context is, let's say, I'm from X city originally, but I've been in Y city since I was born. I visit to X city sometimes as my grandparents live there. So in this context, what should I say in response to the question 'where are you from (originally)?' Should I tell the name of the place where my grandparents live or where my ancestors lived? Or should I just tell the name of the city where I live?

Thanks a lot to you, Clive, for replying.

Clive · Answer

First, please clarify for me. Were you born in X city or Y city?

Also, please tell me a little about why the person is asking you the question.

Clive

TomJ · Answer

CliveWere you born in X city or Y city?

I was born in Y city. (Clive, I said, 'I've been in Y city since I was born' in my previous post. Please tell me... Is it not the same as saying 'I was born in Y city'?)

CliveAlso, please tell me a little about why the person is asking you the question.

Actually, the person who interviewed my a few days ago said to me 'tell me something about yourself'. And there I said this sentence 'I live in Y city with my family, I've been here since birth, but I'm originally from X city'. (X city is the place where my grandparents live).

Dear Clive, please let me know if I'm still not clear about what I'm asking about.

Thank you.

Clive · Answer

The context is, let's say, I'm from X city originally,<<< This means you were born in X city.
but I've been in Y city since I was born.<<< This is a bit unclear. The natural thing would be to say 'I was born in Y city (and I've lived there/here all my life)'.

I visit to X city sometimes as my grandparents live there. So in this context, what should I say in response to the question 'where are you from (originally)?' Should I tell the name of the place where my grandparents live or where my ancestors lived? Or should I just tell the name of the city where I live?

If you were born in Y city, answer like this.

'Where are you from (originally)?' I'm from Y city. The question is about you, not your ancestors or grandparents.
Note that I am explaining how this works where I live. In eg China, a very different answer might be expected.

Clive

Q13: 'where do you come from?' or 'where are you from?'

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