Pashto Phrases and Questions
Pashto, an Eastern Iranian language, is one of the two official languages of Afghanistan and is also spoken in parts of Pakistan. It’s known for its rich poetic tradition and is an essential part of the Pashtun culture. Learning Pashto can significantly enhance your understanding and appreciation of Pashtun heritage. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Pashto, including transliterations for pronunciation help, to navigate various social interactions.
Greetings
- Hello/Hi – “سلام” (Salaam)
- Good morning – “صبح بخیر” (Sbah bakhair)
- Good afternoon/evening – “ماسپښین بخیر” (Maspakhin bakhair)
- Goodbye – “خدای پامان” (Khudai paman)
Introducing Yourself or Others
- My name is [name]. – “زما نوم [name] دی” (Zma num [name] de)
- This is [name]. – “دا [name] دی” (Da [name] de)
- I am from [country]. – “زه [country] څخه یم” (Za [country] chakha yam)
- I live in [city/place]. – “زه په [city/place] کې اوسېږم” (Za pa [city/place] ke osedzam)
Asking for Directions or People
- Where is the [place]? – “[Place] چېرته دی؟” ([Place] cherta de?)
- How do I get to [place]? – “زه څنګه [place] ته ورسېږم؟” (Za cangha [place] ta warsedzam?)
- Is this the way to [place]? – “آیا دا لار [place] ته ده؟” (Aya da lar [place] tah da?)
- Can you show me on the map? – “کولای شې ما ته په نقشه کې ښکاره کړې؟” (Kolai she ma tah pa naqsha ke xkarah kray?)
Solving a Misunderstanding
- Sorry, I don’t understand. – “بخښنه، زه نه پوهېږم” (Bakhshna, za na pohedzam)
- Can you please repeat that? – “مهرباني وکړه بیا یې ووایه؟” (Mehrabanee wakrra, bya ye waya?)
- I mean… – “ما مراد لرم چې…” (Ma murad laram che…)
- What does [word] mean? – “[Word] معنی څه ده؟” ([Word] ma’ni chta deh?)
Farewell Expressions
- See you later – “وروسته به تاسې وینم” (Wrosta ba tase wenam)
- Take care – “خپل ځان ساته” (Khpel zaan sata)
- Have a good day – “یو ښه ورځ ولره” (Yaw xah warz walarah)
Travel and Dining
- I would like to book a room. – “زه غواړم یوه خونه بک کړم” (Za ghwaṛam yawa khona book kram)
- Can I see the menu, please? – “کولای شم زه ته مینو وښیې؟” (Kolai shom za tah menu waxiye?)
- I am vegetarian. – “زه سبزی خوړونکی یم” (Za sabzi khwaronki yam)
- The bill, please. – “مهرباني وکړه حساب ورکړه” (Mehrabanee wakrra, hisab warkrra)
Shopping
- How much does this cost? – “دا څومره قیمت لري؟” (Da chomrah qeemat laree?)
- Do you have this in another size? – “دا په بل حجم کې لرې؟” (Da pa bal hajam ke laree?)
- I’m just looking, thanks. – “زه یوازې کتل کوم، مننه” (Za yawaze katal kawom, manana)
- Can I pay by card? – “کولای شم په کارت سره ورکړم؟” (Kolai shom pa kart sara warkram?)
Dating and Love
- You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “ته ښکلې ښکارې” (Ta xkule xkarey) / “ته وسیم ښکارې” (Ta vaseem xkarey)
- I miss you. – “زه ستا په یاد کې یم” (Za sta pa yad ke yam)
- I love you. – “زه تا سره مینه لرم” (Za ta sara mina laram)
- Would you like to go out with me? – “غواړې زما سره بهر تللی شې؟” (Ghwaṛey zama sara bahar tallay she?)
Emergencies
- Help! – “مرسته!” (Marasta!)
- Call the police! – “پولیسو ته زنګ ووهه!” (Poliso ta zang wawaha!)
- I need a doctor. – “زه د ډاکټر اړتیا لرم” (Za da daktar artiya laram)
- Where is the nearest hospital? – “نږدې روغتون چیرته دی؟” (Narhday roghtun cherta de?)
These phrases provide a foundation for basic communication in Pashto. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Pashto media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of the Pashto language.