Pashto, an Indo-Iranian language, is one of the two official languages of Afghanistan and is also spoken in parts of Pakistan. The Pashto alphabet is a modified form of the Perso-Arabic script and includes several additional letters to represent sounds specific to Pashto.

Overview of the Pashto Alphabet

• Script Type: Modified Perso-Arabic
• Number of Letters: 44
• Unique Features: The Pashto script includes additional letters not found in standard Arabic to represent unique Pashto sounds.

Detailed Breakdown of the Pashto Alphabet

Consonants

Pashto has 38 consonants, some of which have no equivalent in the English language.

1. ا (Alif)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “apple.”
   • Example Word: “اسد” (asad) – meaning “Lion”

2. ب (Be)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘b’ in “bat.”
   • Example Word: “بادشاه” (badshāh) – meaning “King”

3. پ (Pe)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘p’ in “pot.”
   • Example Word: “پلار” (plār) – meaning “Father”

4. ت (Te)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘t’ in “top.”
   • Example Word: “تور” (tor) – meaning “Black”

5. ټ (Ṭe)

   • Pronunciation: Retroflex ‘t,’ like ‘t’ in “taught.”
   • Example Word: “ټکور” (ṭakor) – meaning “House”

6. ث (Se)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “sun.”
   • Example Word: “ثابت” (sābit) – meaning “Stable”

7. ج (Je)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘j’ in “jug.”
   • Example Word: “جامه” (jāmah) – meaning “Clothes”

8. چ (Che)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ch’ in “check.”
   • Example Word: “چپل” (chapal) – meaning “Sandal”

9. ح (Ḥe)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘h’ in “hat.”
   • Example Word: “حکیم” (ḥakīm) – meaning “Wise”

10. خ (Khe)

    • Pronunciation: A throaty ‘kh’, like ‘ch’ in the Scottish “loch.”
    • Example Word: “خپل” (khpul) – meaning “Own”

11. د (Dal)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘d’ in “dog.”
    • Example Word: “در” (dar) – meaning “Door”

12. ډ (Ḍal)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex ‘d,’ like ‘d’ in “door” with the tongue curled back.
    • Example Word: “ډک” (ḍak) – meaning “Full”

13. ر (Re)

    • Pronunciation: Rolled ‘r,’ as in Spanish “perro.”
    • Example Word: “رنګ” (rang) – meaning “Color”

14. ړ (Ṛe)

    • Pronunciation: Retroflex ‘r.’
    • Example Word: “ړانده” (ṛāndah) – meaning “Colorful”

15. ز (Ze)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘z’ in “zoo.”
    • Example Word: “زه” (zah) – meaning “I”

16. ژ (Že)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “pleasure.”
    • Example Word: “ژوند” (žwond) – meaning “Life”

17. س (Sin)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “sun.”
    • Example Word: “سپین” (spīn) – meaning “White”

18. ش (Shin)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘sh’ in “shun.”
    • Example Word: “شپه” (shpa) – meaning “Night”

19. ص (Ṣad)

    • Pronunciation: An emphatic and deeper ‘s.’
    • Example Word: “صبر” (ṣabr) – meaning “Patience”

20. ض (Ẓad)

    • Pronunciation: An emphatic and deeper ‘z.’
    • Example Word: “ضرورت” (ẓarūrat) – meaning “Necessity”

21. ط (Ṭa)

    • Pronunciation: An emphatic and deeper ‘t.’
    • Example Word: “طبیب” (ṭabīb) – meaning “Doctor”

22. ظ (Ẓa)

    • Pronunciation: An emphatic ‘z’ with more force.
    • Example Word: “ظالم” (ẓālim) – meaning “Oppressor”

23. ع (Ain)

    • Pronunciation: A guttural sound, no English equivalent.
    • Example Word: “عمر” (umr) – meaning “Age”

24. غ (Ghain)

    • Pronunciation: Similar to ‘r’ in French “rue.”
    • Example Word: “غم” (gham) – meaning “Sorrow”

25. ف (Fe)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘f’ in “fish.”
    • Example Word: “فلم” (film) – meaning “Film”

26. ق (Qaf)

    • Pronunciation: Deep ‘k,’ from the back of the throat.
    • Example Word: “قلم” (qalam) – meaning “Pen”

27. ک (Kaf)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘k’ in “kite.”
    • Example Word: “کتاب” (kitāb) – meaning “Book”

28. گ (Gaf)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘g’ in “go.”
    • Example Word: “گل” (gul) – meaning “Flower”

29. ل (Lam)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘l’ in “love.”
    • Example Word: “لر” (lar) – meaning “Side”

30. م (Meem)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘m’ in “man.”
    • Example Word: “مور” (mor) – meaning “Mother”

31. ن (Noon)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘n’ in “nice.”
    • Example Word: “نوم” (nom) – meaning “Name”

32. و (Waw)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘w’ in “water.”
    • Example Word: “وروڼه” (wroṇah) – meaning “Brother”

33. ه (He)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘h’ in “hat.”
    • Example Word: “هوا” (hawā) – meaning “Air”

34. ی (Ye)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘y’ in “yes.”
    • Example Word: “یار” (yār) – meaning “Friend”

35. ې (Ee)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘e’ in “bed.”
    • Example Word: “ېاران” (yārān) – meaning “Friends”

36. ۍ (Yay)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘ay’ in “say.”
    • Example Word: “کۍ” (kay) – meaning “What”

37. ى (Yaa)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘y’ in “boy.”
    • Example Word: “مسئلې” (mas’ale) – meaning “Problems”

38. ئ (Hamza)

    • Pronunciation: Glottal stop, as in the middle of “uh-oh.”
    • Example Word: “ئېره” (’erā) – meaning “Air”

Vowels

Pashto vowels include both short and long forms, which are indicated by diacritic marks placed above or below the consonants.

1. ا (Short A)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “apple.”
   • Example Word: “ماڼۍ” (maṇai) – meaning “House”

2. ا (Long A)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘a’ in “father.”
   • Example Word: “کانا” (kana) – meaning “Blind”

3. و (Short O/U)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘o’ in “or” / ‘u’ in “put.”
   • Example Word: “ورور” (wror) – meaning “Brother”

4. و (Long O/U)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘oo’ in “food.”
   • Example Word: “لوبه” (loba) – meaning “Game”

5. ی (Short I)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘i’ in “sit.”
   • Example Word: “بینګری” (bingri) – meaning “Tray”

6. ی (Long I/E)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ee’ in “see.”
   • Example Word: “ښیی” (shei) – meaning “Green”

Pronunciation Tips

• Retroflex Sounds: Pashto has several retroflex consonants (ṭ, ḍ, ṣ, ẓ) that are pronounced with the tongue curled back.
• Nasalization: Some vowels are nasalized, which changes their pronunciation.
• Aspiration: Many consonants have aspirated forms, pronounced with a strong breath.

Practice Exercises

• Listening and Speaking: Practice pronouncing words and phrases aloud. Listening to native speakers is crucial.
• Writing Practice: Write down each letter and practice forming words.
• Reading Practice: Start with simple texts, such as children’s books or short articles, to familiarize yourself with the script.

Additional Resources

• Language Learning Apps: Look for apps that offer Pashto language courses.
• Online Tutorials: Websites and YouTube channels may provide lessons in Pashto.
• Language Exchange: Engage with native speakers for conversational practice and pronunciation improvement.

Conclusion

Mastering the Pashto alphabet is essential for reading, writing, and understanding the language. Regular practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing will lead to proficiency and a deeper appreciation of Pashto’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage.