From Hello to Goodbye: Learn Pashto Phrases
Experts always suggest learning Pashto phrases to ease language learning. One reason for this is that you don’t have to learn sentence structure to memorize phrases. In fact, you can learn grammar rules out of these phrases. Learning Pashto becomes easier when you start with its phrases. You can start to learn Pashto Phrases with the following greetings and everyday phrases.
Greetings and Introduction
- Hello – “سلام” (Salam)
Say Salam when you meet someone, whether a stranger or a commoner. Though it is adopted from Islamic culture, Pashtoons, being followers of Islam, use this greeting in Pashto as well.
- Good Morning – “سهر مو پخير” (Sahar mu Pa Khair)
Whenever you meet a Pashto speaker, greet him or her with this in the morning.
- Good Evening – “ماښام مو پخير” (Makhsham mu Pakhair)
Use this to greet Pashtoons in a polite way in the evening.
- What is your name? – “ستاسو نوم څه دی؟” (Staso num tsa de?)
It is the most commonly asked question when meeting someone for the first time. Use it to initiate communication and surprise a Pashto speaker with a good first impression.
- My name is… – “زما نوم … دی” (Zma num … de)
It is used for introductions. Add your name to this phrase in the blank. For example, if your name is Kamal, you will say, Zama num Kamal de.
Common Courtesies
- Thank you – “مننه” (Manana)
Express gratitude with this powerful yet simple word. Use different phrases like “ډیره مننه” for saying “Thanks a lot” and “Yo Jahan Manana” for “a bundle of thanks.“
- You are welcome – “هر کلی” (Har Kali)
This is a kind response to someone who Thanked you. You can use this phrase when someone visits you or intends to visit you. It means you are always welcome.
- Please – “مهرباني” (Mehrabani)
Use it to make your requests more polite or as a reply after having a favor.
- Excuse me/Sorry – “بخښنه غواړم” (Bakhshna ghwaram)
It is important to have polite interactions and apologize. You can also use it if you commit a mistake and seek forgiveness.
Everyday Interactions
- How are you? – “ته څنګه يې؟” (Ta sanga ye?)
A common way to ask about someone’s well-being.
- I am fine, thank you. – “زه ښه يم، مننه.” (Za kha yam, manana)
A typical response to “How are you?”
- Yes – “هو” (Ho)
A straightforward affirmation.
- No – “نه” (Na)
A simple negation.
- Where is the bathroom? – “تشويځ چېري دی؟” (Tashwiz cheri de?)
An essential question when in a new place.
- How much does this cost? – “دا څو دی؟” (Da tso de?)
Useful for shopping and bargaining.
Farewells
- Goodbye – “په مخه ښه” (Pa makha kha)
A common phrase to say bye to someone.
- See you later – “بيا به سره وينو” (Bia ba sara weno)
It is used when you expect to meet someone again soon.
- Take care – “خدای پامان” (Khudai paaman)
A caring farewell expression.
The Pashto phrases are helpful because they are used daily. Below, we picked expressions that a new learner will find useful. We included the audio as well. This is a better way to learn. Learn only what you need. We start with greetings and an introduction.
| Hi: سلام |
| What is your name?: ستاسې نوم څه دی؟ |
| Nice to meet you: په لیدلو دې خوښ شوم |
| How are you?: څنګه یاست؟ |
| I’m good, thanks: زه ښه یم، مننه. |
| And you?: او تاسې؟ |
Language and Age Phrases
More questions about language and age:
| Do you speak (English/Pashto)?: آیا ته په انګلیسي/پښتو ژبه خبرې کولای شې؟ |
| Does she speak Chinese?: آیا هغه په چینايي ژبه خبرې کولی شي؟ |
| A little bit: ډېرې لږې |
| How old are you?: ته څو کلن یې؟ |
| I’m 33 years old: زه دېرش کلن یم |
| It was nice talking to you: تا سره په خبرو کولو خوښ شوم |
If you don’t understand something, this will be your secret weapon:
| What do you mean?: ستا څه مطلب دی؟ |
| I don’t understand: زه نه پوهېږم |
| I don’t know: زه نه پوهېږم |
| Sorry: بښنه غواړم |
| What is that called in Pashto?: دې ته په پښتو ژبه کې څه وايي؟ |
| What does that word mean in English?: دغه لغت په انګلیسي ژبه کې څه مانا لري؟ |
More personal information about origins and profession:
| Where are you from?: ته د کوم هېواد اوسېدونکی یې؟ |
| I’m from the U.S: زه د متحده ایالاتو یم |
| I’m American: زه امریکنی یم |
| Where do you live?: ته چېرته اوسېږې؟ |
| I live in the U.S: زه په متحده ایالاتو کې اوسېږم |
| What do you do for a living?: ته د ورځني ژوند لپاره څه کوې؟ |
| I’m a student: زه یو زده کونکی یم |
Offering or asking for help and giving directions:
| Can I help you?: آیا زه له تا سره مرسته کولی شم؟ |
| Can you help me?: آیا ته له ما سره مرسته کولی شې؟ |
| Where is the airport?: هوايي مېدان چېرته دی؟ |
| Go straight: سیده لاړ شه |
| Then: بیا |
| Turn left: چپ لورې ته وګرځه |
| Turn right: ښي لورې ته وګرځه |
Holiday Wishes Phrases
Good wishes in Pashto in holidays and occasions:
| Happy birthday: د زېږېدنې ورځ دې مبارک شه |
| Happy new year: نوی کال مو مبارک شه |
| Merry Christmas: کرسمس مو مبارک شه |
| Good luck: نېکې هیلې |
| Congratulations: مبارک شه |
Pashto expressions commonly used when traveling or buying:
| I have a reservation: زه یو څه لرم |
| Do you have rooms available?: آیا له تاسو سره خونې شته؟ |
| I would like a non-smoking room: زه غواړم داسې خونه ولرم چې سګریټ په کې نه څښل کیږي |
| How much it costs per night?: د یوې شپې کرایه څومره ده؟ |
| Waiter: خدمتګار |
| How much is this?: دا په څو دی؟ |
| What is this?: دا څه شی دی؟ |
Survival phrases considered to be important in emergencies:
| Are you okay?: آیا ته ښه یې؟ |
|---|
| I need a doctor: زه یو ډاکتر ته اړتیا لرم |
| Help: مرسته |
| Call the ambulance: امبولانس راوغواړه |
| Call the police: پولیس راوغواړه |
| I am sick: زه ناروغ یم |