Pashto phrasebook

Pashto (پښتو, also transliterated Pukhto or Pushtu) is an East Iranic Indo-European language spoken natively by ~50 million people. It is one of the official languages of Afghanistan and a regional language in West and Northwest Pakistan. In the days of the British Raj, Pashto speakers were referred to in English as Pathans.

NOTE: Most of the phrases are written as they would be pronounced by people living in the area around Paktia, Logar, Kabul and Nangarhar etc. But if one travels south or east (towards Kandahar or Pakhtunkhwa), the regional dialects change certain speech sounds.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

ə [ه ,ۀ ,زورکى]

a central neutral vowel, like 'a' in "above"

a [ه ,زبر]

like 'u' in "hut"

aa [ا]

like 'a' in "far"

i [زېر ,ي]

like 'ee' in "see"

ē [ې]

like 'e' in "bed"

u [پېش ,و]

like 'oo' in "food"

o [و]

like 'o' in "more"

ay [ى]

similar to 'y' in "my". In eastern areas e.g. Swat, it sounds like /eh/

əi [ئ ,ۍ]

similar to 'ay' in "play"

Consonants

b [ب]

like 'b' in "bed"

ch [چ]

like 'ch' in "chair"

ts [څ]

like 'z' in German "zehn" (Similar to 'ts' in "boots".)

d [د]

similar to 'd' in "do" (But it is softer, and the flat of the tongue makes contact with the roof of the mouth, not the tip of the tongue as in English.)

dd [ډ]

like 'rd' in Swedish "nord" (It's a thick D pronounced with the tongue tip curled back.)

f [ف]

like 'f' in "film"

g [ګ ,ږ]

like 'g' in "girl"

gh [غ]

similar to 'r' in French "écrire" (It's spoken in the throat.)

h [ح ,ه]

like 'h' in "honey"

j [ج]

like 'j' in "job"

dz [ځ]

like 'z' in Italian "zero" (Similar to 'ds' in "kids".)

k [ق ,ک]

like 'k' in "skin"

kh [خ]

like 'ch' in German "Kuchen" (It's spoken in the throat.)

k'h [ښ]

like 'ch' in German "dicht" and 'h' in English "hue"

l [ل]

like 'l' in "look"

m [م]

like 'm' in "moon"

n [ن]

like 'n' in "noon"

nn [ڼ]

like 'rn' in Swedish "garn" (It's a thick N pronounced with the tongue tip curled back.)

p [ف ,پ]

like 'p' in "spin"

q [ق]

like 'q' in "Quran"

r [ر]

like 'r' in "rose"

rr [ړ]

thick R pronounced with the tongue tip curled back, similar to 'l' in Swedish/Norwegian "blad"

s [ص ,ث ,س]

like 's' in "sun"

sh [ش]

like 'sh' in "shine"

t [ط ,ت]

similar to 't' in "stem" (But it is softer, and the flat of the tongue makes contact with the roof of the mouth, not the tip of the tongue as in English.)

tt [ټ]

like 'rt' in Swedish "karta" (It's a thick T pronounced with the tongue tip curled back.)

w [و]

like 'w' in "wise"

y [ي]

like 'y' in "yet"

z [ض ,ظ ,ذ ,ز]

like 'z' in "zoo"

zh [ژ]

like 's' in "pleasure"

Phrase list

Basics

Hello

سلام عليکم [salaam alaykum] (sa-LAAM a-leh-kum)

— response: وعليکم سلام [walaykum salaam] (wa-LEH-kum sa-laam)

Hello (informal)

سلام [salaam] (sa-LAAM), or: په خير [pə khayr] (pe KHEHR)

How are you?

څنګه يې؟ [tsənga yē?] (TSENG-ga yeh?)

Fine, thank you

ښه يم، مننه [k'hə yəm, manəna] (KHE yem, ma-NE-na)

What is your name?

ستاسو نوم څه دى؟ [staaso num tsə day?] (STAA-soh noom TSE dai?)

My name is ______

زما نوم ___ دى [zamaa num ____ day] (za-MAA noom ____ dai)

Below, (а) is for feminine:

Nice to meet you

په ليدو مو خوشحال(ه) شوم [pə lido mo khushaal(a) shwum] (pe lee-DOH moh khoo-SHAAL(a) shwum)

— response: زه هم خوشحال(ه) شوم [zə ham khushaal(a) shwum] (ze HAM khoo-shaal(a) shwum)

Please

مهرباني وکئ [mēhrabaani wukəi] (meh-ra-baa-NEE wu-kei)

Thank you

ډېره مننه [ddēra manəna] (DDEH-ra ma-NE-na)

You're welcome

هر کله [har kəla] (HAR ke-la); lit. "at whatever time"

Yes

هو [ho] (WOH)

No

نه [na] (NA)

Excuse me (getting attention)

وبخښئ [wubak'həi] (WU-ba-khei)

Excuse me (begging pardon)

وبخښئ [wubak'həi] (WU-ba-khei)

I'm sorry

بخښنه غواړم [bakhk'həna ghwaarrəm] (ba-KHE-na ghwaa-rrem)

Goodbye

په مخه مو ښه [pə məkha mo kha] (pe ME-kha moh KHA)

— or: د خداى په امان [da khwdaay pə amaan] (da khw-DAAY pe a-MAAN)

I can't speak Pashto [well]

زه په پښتو [سمې] خبرې نه شم کولى [zə pə puk'hto [samē] khabərē nə shəm kawulay] (ze pe pukh-TO [SA-meh] kha-BE-reh NE shem ka-wu-lai)

Do you speak English?

تاسو په انګليسي خبرې کولئ شئ؟ [taaso pə inglisi khabərē kawuləi shəi?] (TAA-soh pe eeng-lee-SEE kha-BE-reh ka-WU-lei shei?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

دلته څوک انګليسي وايي؟ [dalta tsok inglisi waayi?] (DAL-ta TSOHK eeng-lee-SEE WAA-yee?)

Help!

!مرسته [mrasta!] (MRAS-ta!)

Look out!

!ګوره [gora!] (GOH-ra!), !پام کوه [paam kawa!] (PAAM kawa!)

Good morning

سهار مو په خير [sahaar mo pə khayr] (sa-HAAR moh pe khehr)

Good afternoon

غرمه مو په خير [gharma mo pə khayr] (ghar-MA moh pe khehr)

Good evening

ماښام مو په خير [maak'haam mo pə khayr] (maa-KHAAM moh pe khehr)

Good night

شپه مو په خير [shpa mo pə khayr] (SHPA moh pe khehr)

I don't understand

پوه نه شوم [poh nə shwum] (POH NE shwum)

I don't know

نه يم خبر [nə yəm khabar] (NE yem kha-bar)

Where is the toilet?

تشناب چېرې دى؟ [tashnaab chērē day?] (tash-NAAB CHEH-reh dai?)

Problems

Leave me alone. 

يوازې مې پرېږده [yawaazē mē prēgda] (ya-WAA-zeh meh prehg-da)

Don't touch me! 

!لاس مه راوړه [laas ma raawrra] (laas MA raaw-rra!)

I'll call the police! 

!پوليس ته به تېلفون وکم [pulis ta ba tēlifun wukəm] (poo-LEES ta ba teh-lee-FOON wu-kem!)

Police! 

!پوليس [pulis] (poo-LEES!)

Stop! Thief! 

!ودرېږه! غل [wudrēga! ghal!] (WUD-reh-ga! ghal!)

I need your help. 

ستاسو مرسته مې په کار ده [staaso mrasta mē pə kaar da] (STAA-soh MRAS-ta meh pe kaar da)

It's an emergency. 

مجبوري ده [majburi da] (maj-boo-REE da)

I'm lost. 

زه ورک يم [zə wruk yəm] (ze WRUK yem)

I lost my bag. 

کڅوړه را نه ورکه شوه [katsorra raa na wruka shwa] (ka-TSOH-rra raa na WRU-ka shwa)

I lost my wallet. 

بټوه را نه ورکه شوه [battwa raa na wruka shwa] (batt-WA raa na WRU-ka shwa)

I'm sick. 

ناروغه يم [naarogha yəm] (naa-ROH-gha yem)

I've been injured. 

خوږ شوى يم [khug shuway yəm] (khug SHU-wai yem)

I need a doctor. 

ما ته ډاکټر پکار دى [maa ta daaktər pə kaar day] (maa ta daak-TER pe kaar dai)

Can I use your phone? 

ستاسو ټلېفون استعمالولى شم؟ [staaso tēlifun istimaalaway shəm?] (staa-soh teh-lee-FOON ees-tee-maa-la-WAI shem?)

What is this? 

دا څه شى دي؟ [daa tsəshay di?] (daa TSE-shai di?)

Numbers

0 

صفر [sifər] (SEE-fer)

1 

يو [yaw] (YAW) m, يوه [yawa] (ya-WA) f

2 

دوه [dwa] (DWA)

3 

درې [drē] (DREH)

4 

څلور [tsalor] (tsa-LOHR)

5 

پنځه [pindzə] (peen-ZE)

6 

شپږ [shpag] (SHPAG)

7 

اووه [uwə] (oo-WE)

8 

اته [atə] (a-TE)

9 

نه [nə] (NE)

10 

لس [las] (LAS)

11 

يوولس [yawolas] (ya-WOH-las)

12 

دوولس [dwolas] (DWOH-las)

13 

ديارلس [dyaarlas] (DYAAR-las)

14 

څوارلس [tswaarlas] (TSWAAR-las)

15 

پنځلس [pindzəlas] (peen-ZE-las)

16 

شپاړس [shpaarras] (SHPAA-rras)

17 

اوولس [uwəlas] (oo-WE-las)

18 

اتلس [atəlas] (a-TE-las)

19 

نولس [nulas] (NOO-las)

20 

شل [shəl] (SHEL)

21 

يو ويشت [yaw wisht] (YAW weesht)

22 

دوه ويشت [dwa wisht] (DWA weesht)

30 

دېرش [dērsh] (DEHRSH)

33 

درې دېرش [drē dērsh] (DREH dehrsh)

40 

څلوېښت [tsalwēk'ht] (tsal-WEHKHT)

44 

څلور څلوېښت [tsalor tsalwēk'ht] (tsa-LOHR tsal-wehkht)

50 

پنځوس [pəndzos] (pen-ZOHS)

55 

پنځه پنځوس [pindzə pəndzos] (peen-ZE pen-zohs)

60 

شپېته [shpētə] (shpeh-TE)

70 

اويا [awyaa] (aw-YAA)

80 

اتيا [atyaa] (at-YAA)

90 

نوي [nəwi] (ne-WEE)

100 

سل [səl] (SEL)

111 

يو سل يوولس [yaw səl yawolas] (YAW sel, ya-WOH-las)

200 

دوه سوه [dwa sawa] (DWA sawa)

500 

پنځه سوه [pindzə sawa] (peen-ZE sawa)

1000 

زر [zər] (ZER)

2000 

دوه زره [dwa zəra] (DWA zera)

10,000 

لس زره [las zəra] (LAS zera)

100,000 

يو لک [yaw lak] (YAW lak)

200,000 

دوه لکه [dwa laka] (DWA laka)

one million 

يو ميليون [yaw milyun] (YAW meel-YOON)

half 

نيم [nim] (NEEM)

Number _____ (train, bus, etc.) 

نمبر _____ [____ nambar] (____ nam-BAR)

less 

کم [kam] (KAM)

more 

زيات [zyaat] ( ZYAAT)

Time

now 

اوس [os] (OHS)

later 

وروسته [wrusta] (WROOS-ta)

before 

مخکې [məkhkē] (MEKH-keh)

morning 

سهار [sahaar] (sa-HAAR)

noon 

غرمه [gharma] (ghar-MA)

afternoon 

ماسپښين [maaspak'hin] (maas-pa-KHEEN)

evening 

ماښام [maak'haam] (maa-KHAAM)

night 

شپه [shpa] (SHPA)

Clock time

one o'clock AM 

د شپې يوه بجه [da shpē yawa baja] (da SHPEH, ya-WA baja)

two o'clock AM 

د شپې دوه بجې [da shpē dwa bajē] (da SHPEH, DWA bajeh)

noon, twelve o'clock 

د غرمې دوولس بجې [da gharmē dwolas bajē] (da ghar-MEH, DWOH-las bajeh)

one o'clock PM 

د ماسپښين يوه بجه [da maaspak'hin yawa baja] (da maas-pa-KHEEN, ya-WA baja)

two o'clock PM 

د ماسپښين دوه بجې [da maaspak'hin dwa bajē] (da maas-pa-KHEEN, DWA bajeh)

midnight 

نيمه شپه [nima shpa] (NEE-ma shpa)

Duration

_____ minute/minutes 

دقيقه/دقيقې _____ [daqiqa/daqiqē] (_____ da-kee-KA / da-kee-KEH)

_____ hour/hours 

ګېنټه/ګېنټې _____ [gēntta/gēnttē] (_____ gehn-TTA / gehn-TTEH)

_____ day(s) 

(ورځ(ې _____ [wradz(ē)] (_____ WRAZ(eh))

_____ week(s) 

اوونۍ _____ [uwənəi] (_____ oo-we-NEI)

_____ month(s) 

(مياشت(ې _____ [myaasht(ē)] (_____ MYAASHT(eh))

_____ year(s) 

(کال(ه _____ [kaal(a)] (_____ KAAL(a))

Days

today 

نن [nən] (NEN)

yesterday 

پرون [parun] (pa-ROON)

tomorrow 

سبا [sabaa] (sa-BAA)

day after tomorrow 

بل سبا [bəl sabaa] (BEL sa-baa)

next week 

بله اوونۍ [bəla uwənəi] (BE-la oo-we-nei)

this week 

دا اوونۍ [daa uwənəi] (DAA oo-we-nei)

last week 

تېره اوونۍ [tēra uwənəi] (TEH-ra oo-we-nei)

NOTE: The first day of the week corresponds with Sunday of the planetary week.

Sunday 

يوه نۍ [yawanəi] (ya-wa-NEI)

Monday 

دوه نۍ [dwanəi] (dwa-NEI)

Tuesday 

درې نۍ [drēnəi] (dreh-NEI)

Wednesday 

منځونۍ [mandzonəi] (man-zoh-NEI)

Thursday 

پنځه نۍ [pindzənəi] (pin-ze-NEI)

Friday 

جمعه [juma] (joo-MA)

Saturday 

خالي ورځ [khaali wradz] (khaa-LEE wraz)

Months

Gregorian calendar

The internationally accepted Gregorian calendar is commonly used by Pashtuns for day-to-day affairs (along with the two Islamic calendars). Below are the names of Gregorian months:

January 

جنوري [janwari] (jan-wa-REE)

February 

فبروري [fabruri] (fa-broo-REE)

March 

مارچ [maarch] (MAARCH)

April 

اپريل [april] (ap-REEL)

May 

مې [mē] (MEH)

June 

جون [jun] (JOON)

July 

جولاى [julaay] (joo-LAAY)

August 

اګست [agast] (a-GAST)

September 

سيتمبر [sitambər] (see-tam-BER)

October 

اکتوبر [aktubər] (ak-too-BER)

November 

نومبر [nawambər] (na-wam-BER)

December 

ديسمبر [disambər] (dee-sam-BER)

Solar Islamic calendar

Afghans officially use the solar Jalali calendar according to which all national holidays and administrative issues are fixed. The year of Prophet Muhammad's migration to Medina (622 CE) is fixed as the first year in the calendar.

The New Year always falls on the spring equinox (Gregorian March 21 or sometimes March 20). Each of the twelve months corresponds with a zodiac sign. The first six months have 31 days, the next five have 30 days, and the last (kab) has 29 days in usual years but 30 days in leap years. Pashto months are:

Mar20/21 - Apr19/20 

ورى [wray] (WRAI); lit. "lamb"

Apr20/21 - May20/21 

غويى [ghwayay] (ghwa-YAI); lit. "bull"

May21/22 - Jun20/21 

غبرګولى [ghbargolay] (ghbar-GOH-lai); lit. "twin"

Jun21/22 - Jul21/22 

چنګاښ [changaak'h] (chang-GAAKH); lit. "crab"

Jul22/23 - Aug21/22 

زمرى [zmaray] (zma-RAI); lit. "lion"

Aug22/23 - Sep21/22 

وږى [wagay] (wa-GAI); lit. "virgin"

Sep22/23 - Oct21/22 

تله [təla] (TE-la); lit. "weighing scale"

Oct22/23 - Nov20/21 

لړم [larram] (la-RRAM); lit. "scorpion"

Nov21/22 - Dec20/21 

ليندۍ [lindəi] (leen-DEI); lit. "bow"

Dec21/22 - Jan19/20 

مرغومى [marghumay] (mar-ghoo-MAI); lit. "ibex"

Jan20/21 - Feb18/19 

سلواغه [salwaagha] (sal-waa-gha); lit. "pail"

Feb19/20 - Mar19/20 

کب [kab] (KAB); lit. "fish"

Lunar Islamic calendar

To date religious holidays and events, the lunar Hijri calendar is used. Each of the 12 months can have either 29 or 30 days, and a year is 354 or 355 days long (i.e. shorter than a solar year). The lunar months are not linked with the seasons and drift each solar year by about 11 days. Lunar months in Pashto are:

Muharram 

حسن او حسين [hasan aw hussain] (ha-SAN aw hu-SEHN), or simply: حسن [hasan] (ha-SAN); lit. "Hasan and Hussein (ibn Ali)"

Safar 

صفره [safara] (sa-PA-ra)

Rabi' al-Awwal 

لومړۍ خور [lumrrəi khor] (loom-RREI khohr); lit. "first sister"

Rabi' ath-Thani 

دوهمه خور [dwahəma khor] (DWA-ma khohr); lit. "second sister"

Jumada al-Awwal 

دريمه خور [drəyəma khor] (DREH-ma khohr); lit. "third sister"

Jumada ath-Thani 

څلورمه خور [tsalorəma khor] (tsa-loh-RE-ma khohr); lit. "fourth sister"

Rajab 

خداى مياشت [khwdaay myaasht] (khw-DAAY myaasht); lit. "God's month"

Sha'ban 

برات [baraat] (ba-RAAT); the month of the holy night of Shab-e Baraat

Ramadan 

روژه [rozha] (roh-ZHA); lit. "fasting"

Shawwal 

کمکى اختر [kamkay akhtar] (kam-KAI akh-tar); lit. "lesser Eid"

Dhu al-Qa'da 

منځوۍ [mandzawəi] (man-za-WEI); lit. "middle (month)"

Dhu al-Hijja 

لوى اختر [loy akhtar] (LOY akh-tar); lit. "greater Eid"

Writing time and date

Dates are written as day.month.year (where day, month and year are numbers) or as month day year (where month is written in the prepositional and day and year are numbers). E.g., Dec 8th, 2011 is written as ۸-۱۲-۲۰۱۱ (8-12-2011), or as د ديسمبر اتمه، ۲۰۱۱ (da disamber atema, 2011).

In informal speech, time uses the 12-hour format, commonly with descriptive phrases such as in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening and at night. But in formal written communication, time uses the 24-hour format, e.g. 09:44 p.m. is written as ۲۱:۴۴ (21:44).

Colors

black 

تور [tor] (TOHR)

white 

سپين [spin] (SPEEN)

gray 

خړ [khərr] (KHERR)

red 

سور [sur] (SOOR)

blue 

اسماني [asmaani] (as-maa-NEE), or: شين [shin] (SHEEN)

yellow 

زيړ [zyarr] (ZYARR)

green 

شين [shin] (SHEEN), or: زرغون [zarghun] (zar-GHOON)

orange 

نارنجي [naarənji] (naa-ren-JEE)

purple 

بانجڼي [baanjənni] (baan-je-NNEE)

brown 

نسواري [naswaari] (nas-waa-REE)

Transportation

Bus and Train

How much is a ticket to _____? (bus, train, airplane) 

ته څومره ټکټ دى؟ _____ [_____ ta tsomra ttikətt day?] (_____ ta TSOHM-ra ttee-KETT dai?)

One ticket to _____, please. (bus, train, airplane) 

لږ _____ ته يو ټکټ راکئ [ləg _____ ta yaw ttikətt raakəi] (leg _____ ta yaw ttee-KETT raa-keei)

Where does this train/bus go? 

دا اورګاډى/بس چېرې ځي؟ [daa orgaadday/bas chērē dzi?] (DAA ohr-GAA-ddai / bas CHEH-reh zee?)

Where is the train/bus to _____? 

د _____ اورګاډى/بس کوم ځاى دى؟ [da _____ orgaadday/bas kumdzaay day?] (da _____ ohr-GAA-ddai / bas KOOM-zaay dai?)

Does this train/bus stop in/at _____? 

په _____ کې دا اورګاډى/بس درېږي؟ [pə _____ kē daa orgaadday/bas darēgi?] (pe _____ keh DAA ohr-GAA-ddai / bas da-REH-gee?)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

د _____ اورګاډى/بس کله روانېږي؟ [da _____ orgaadday/bas kəla rawaanēgi?] (da _____ ohr-GAA-ddai / bas KE-la ra-waa-NEH-gee?)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

ته به دا اورګاډى/بس کله رسي؟ _____ [_____ ta ba daa orgaadday/bas kəla rasi?] (_____ ta ba DAA ohr-GAA-ddai / bas KE-la rasee?)

Directions

How do I get to _____? 

ته څنګه ورشم؟ _____ [_____ ta tsənga warshəm?] (_____ ta TSENG-ga WAR-shem?)

...the train station? 

اورګاډو اډه [orgaaddo adda] (ohr-GAA-ddoh a-dda)

...the bus station? 

بسونو اډه [basuno adda] [ba-SOO-noh a-dda]

...the airport? 

هوايي ډګر [hawaayi ddagar] [ha-waa-YEE dda-GAR]

...downtown? 

ښار [k'haar] (KHAAR)

...youth hostel? 

ځوانانو مېلمستون [dzwaanaano mēlmastun] (zwaa-NAA-noh mehl-mas-TOON)

...the _____ hotel? 

د _____ هوټل؟ [da _____ hottəl] (da _____ hoh-TTEL)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British embassy/consulate? 

د امريکا/کانادا/استراليا/برتانيه سفارتخانه [da amrikaa/kaanaadaa/astraalyaa/bartaanya sifaaratkhaana] (da am-ree-KAA / kaa-naa-DAA / as-traal-YAA / bar-taan-YA si-faa-rat-khaa-NA)

Where are there a lot of _____ 

ډېر _____ چېرې دي؟ [ddēr _____ chērē di?] (ddehr _____ CHEH-reh dee?)

...lodgings? 

استوګنې ځايونه [astognē dzaayuna] (as-TOHG-neh zaa-yoo-naa)

...restaurants? 

رستورانونه [rasturaanuna] (ras-too-raa-NOO-na)

...sites to see? 

د کتو ځايونه [da kato dzaayuna] (da ka-TOH zaa-YOO-na)

Where is _____? 

چېرې دى؟ _____ [_____ chērē day?] (_____ CHEH-reh dai?)

Is it far from here? 

له دې ځاى نه لرې دى؟ [la dē dzaay na lərē day?] [la DEH zaay na LE-reh dai?]

Please show me on the map. 

لږ يې نقشه کې را ته وښايه [ləg yē naqsha kē raa ta wuk'haaya] (leg yeh nak-SHA keh raa ta WU-khaa-ya)

street 

کوڅه [kutsa] (koo-TSA)

Turn left. 

کيڼ لاس ته تاو شه [kinn laas ta taaw sha] (KEENN laas ta taaw sha)

Turn right. 

ښي لاس ته تاو شه [k'hi laas ta taaw sha] (KHEE laas ta taaw sha)

left 

کيڼ [kinn] [KEENN]

right 

ښى [k'hay] [KHAI]

straight ahead 

سيخ [sikh] (SEEKH)

towards the _____ 

د _____ لوري ته [da _____ lori ta] (da _____ LOH-ree ta)

past the _____ 

له _____ وروسته [la _____ wrusta] (la _____ WROOS-ta)

before the _____ 

له _____ مخکې [la _____ məkhkē] (la _____ MEKH-keh)

Watch for the _____. 

پسې پام کوه _____ [_____ pəsē paam kawa] (_____ pe-seh PAAM ka-wa)

intersection 

چوک [chawk] (CHAWK)

traffic light 

ترافيکي اشاره [traafiki ishaara] (traa-fee-KEE ee-shaa-RA)

north 

شمال [shamaal] (sha-MAAL)

south 

سهيل [suhayl] (soo-HEHL)

east 

ختيځ [khatidz] (kha-TEEZ)

west 

لوېديځ [lwēdidz] (lweh-DEEZ)

uphill 

مخ پورته [məkh porta] (mekh POHR-ta)

downhill 

مخ په ښکته [məkh pə k'hkata] (mekh pe KHKA-ta)

Taxi

Taxi! 

!ټکسي [ttaksi!] (ttak-SEE!)

Take me to _____, please. 

لږ مې _____ ته بوځئ [ləg mē _____ ta bodzəi] (leg meh _____ ta BOH-zei)

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

ته په څو ځئ؟ _____ [_____ ta pə tso dzəi?] (_____ ta pe TSOH zei?)

Take me there, please. 

لږ مې هلته بوځئ [ləg mē halta bodzəi] (leg meh HAL-ta boh-zei)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available? 

خالي کوټې لرئ؟ [khaali kottē larəi?] (khaa-LEE koh-tteh la-REI?)

How much is a room for one person/two people? 

د يو تن/دوو تنو لپاره کوټه په څو ده؟ [da yaw tan/dwo tano lapaara kotta pə tso da?] (da YAW tan / DWO ta-no la-paara koh-TTA pe TSO da?)

Does the room come with... 

دا کوټه ... لري؟ [daa kotta ... lari?] (DAA koh-tta ... la-REE?)

...bedsheets? 

روجايي؟ [rojaayi?] (roh-jaa-YEE)

...a bathroom? 

تشناب؟ [tashnaab?] (tash-NAAB)

...a telephone? 

تېلفون؟ [tēlifun?] (teh-lee-FOON)

...a TV? 

تلويزيون؟ [talwizyun?] (tal-weez-YOON)

May I see the room first? 

اول کوټه کتى شم؟ [awal kotta katay shəm?] (a-WAL koh-TTA ka-TAI shem?)

Do you have anything quieter? 

تر دې ځاى نه زيات کرار ځاى لرئ؟ [tər dē dzaay na zyaat karaar dzaay larəi?] (ter DEH zaay na ZYAAT ka-raar zaay la-REI?)

...bigger? 

نور غټ؟ [nor ghatt?] (NOHR ghatt)

...cleaner? 

نور پاک؟ [nor paak?] (NOHR paak)

...cheaper? 

نور ارزان؟? [nor arzaan?] (NOHR ar-zaan)

OK, I'll take it. 

ښه، هم دا به واخلم [k'ha, ham daa ba waakhləm] (KHA, ham DAA ba waakh-lem)

I will stay here for _____ night/nights. 

زه به دلته _____ شپه/شپې کوم [zə ba dalta _____ shpa/shpē kawum] (ze ba dal-ta _____ shpa / shpeh ka-wum)

Can you suggest another hotel? 

بل هوټل تجويز کوئ شئ؟ [bəl hottəl tajwiz kawəi shəi?] (BEL hoh-ttel taj-weez ka-WEI shei?)

Do you have a safe? 

صندوقچه لرئ؟ [sanduqcha larəi?] (san-dook-CHA la-REI?)

...lockers? 

کولپونه [kwəlpuna] (kool-POO-na)

Is breakfast/supper included? 

ناشته/ډوډۍ هم په کې ده؟ [naashta/ddoddəi ham pə kē da?] (naash-TA / ddoh-DDEI ham pe KEH da?)

What time is breakfast/supper? 

ناشته/ډوډۍ څه وخت ده؟ [naashta/ddoddəi tsə wakht da?] (naash-TA / ddoh-DDEI TSE-wakht da?)

Please clean my room. 

لږ مې کوټه پاکه کئ [ləg mē kotta paaka kəi] (leg meh koh-TTA PAA-ka kei)

Can you wake me at _____? 

په _____ بجې مې ويښوئ شئ؟ [pə _____ bajē mē wik'hawəi shəi?] (pe _____ ba-jeh meh wee-kha-WEI shei?)

I want to leave. 

تلل غواړم [tləl ghwaarrəm] (TLEL ghwaa-rrem)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

د امريکا/استراليا/کانادا ډالر قبلوئ؟ [da amrikaa/astraalyaa/kaanaadaa ddaalər qablawəi?] (da am-ree-KAA / as-traal-YAA / kaa-naa-DAA ddaa-LER qab-la-WEI?)

Do you accept British pounds? 

د برتانيه پونډ قبلوئ؟ [da bartaanya pondd qablawəi?] (da bar-taan-YA POHNDD qab-la-WEI?)

Do you accept credit cards? 

کريديت کارت قبلوئ؟ [kridit kaart qablawəi?] (kree-deet KAART qab-la-WEI?)

Can you change money for me? 

پيسې را ته بدلوئ شئ؟ [paysē raa ta badlawəi shəi?] (pai-SEH raa ta bad-la-WEI shei?)

Where can I get money changed? 

پيسې چېرې بدلوى شم؟ [paysē chērē badlaway shəm?] (pai-SEH CHEH-reh bad-la-wai shem?)

Can you change a traveler's check for me? 

ټراولر چېک را ته بدلوئ شئ؟ [ttraawlər chēk raa ta badlawəi shəi?] (ttraaw-ler CHEHK raa ta bad-la-WEI shei?)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 

ټراولر چېک چېرې بدلوى شم؟ [ttraawlər chēk chērē badlaway shəm?] (ttraaw-ler CHEHK CHEH-reh bad-la-wai shem?)

What is the exchange rate? 

د تبادلې بيه څومره ده؟ [da tabaadlē baya tsomra da?] (da ta-baad-LEH BA-ya TSOHM-ra da?)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please. 

د يو تن/دوو تنو لپاره مېز، مهرباني وکئ [da yaw tan/dwo tano lapaara mēz, mēhrabaani wukəi] (da YAW tan / DWO ta-no la-paa-ra MEHZ, meh-ra-baa-NEE wu-kei)

Can I look at the menu, please? 

طعام نامه کتى شم؟ [təaam naama katay shəm?] (tu-aam naa-MA ka-TAI shem?)

Can I look in the kitchen? 

پخلنځى کتى شم؟ [pakhlandzay katay shəm?] (pakh-lan-ZAI ka-TAI shem?)

Is there a house specialty? 

تاسو څه ځانګړى خوراک لرئ؟ [taaso tsə dzaangərray khwaraak larəi?] (TAA-soh tse zaan-GE-rrai khwa-RAAK la-REI?)

Is there a local specialty? 

دا ځاى څه ځانګړى خوراک لري؟ [daa dzaay tsə dzaangərray khwaraak lari?] (DAA zaay tse zaan-GE-rrai khwa-RAAK la-REE?)

I'm a vegetarian. 

ګياخور يم [gayaakhor yəm] (ga-yaa-KHOHR yem)

I don't eat beef. 

غټه غوښه نه خورم [ghatta ghwak'ha nə khwrəm] (GHA-tta ghwa-kha NE khw-rem)

I don't eat pork. 

د خنزير غوښه نه خورم [da khanzir ghwak'ha nə khwrəm] (da khan-ZEER ghwa-kha NE khw-rem)

I only eat halal food. 

زه يوازې حلال خوراک خورم [yawaazē halaal khwaraak kawum] (ya-WAA-zeh ha-LAAL khwa-raak ka-wum)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) 

لږ يې سپوروئ شئ؟ [ləg yē sporawəi shəi?] (leg yeh spoh-ra-WEI shei?)

fixed-price meal 

د ثابتې بيه خواړه [da saabətē baya khwaarrə] (da saa-BE-teh ba-ya khwaa-rre)

à la carte 

د بېلې بېلې بيه خواړه [da bēlē bēlē baya khwaarrə] (da BEH-leh beh-leh ba-ya khwaa-rre)

breakfast 

ناشته [naashta] (naash-TA)

lunch 

غرمې ډوډۍ [gharmē ddoddəi] (ghar-MEH ddo-ddei)

tea (meal) 

د مازديګر چاى [da maazdigar chaay] (da maaz-dee-GAR chaay)

supper 

ماښام ډوډۍ [maak'haam ddoddəi] (maa-KHAAM ddoh-ddei)

I want _____. 

زه _____ غواړم [zə _____ ghwaarrəm] (ze _____ ghwaa-rrem)

I want a dish containing _____. 

له _____ سره خواړه غواړم [la _____ sara khwaarrə ghwaarrəm] (la _____ sa-ra khwaa-rre ghwaa-rrem)

chicken 

چرګ [chərg] (CHERG)

beef 

غټه غوښه [ghatta ghwak'ha] (GHA-tta ghwa-kha)

mutton 

وړه غوښه [warra ghwak'ha] (wa-RRA ghwa-kha)

fish 

کب [kab] (KAB)

sausage 

ساسيج [sasij] (saa-SEEJ)

cheese 

پنير [panir] (pa-NEER)

eggs 

هګۍ [hagəi] (ha-GEI)

salad 

سلاته [salaata] (sa-laa-TA)

vegetables 

سابه [saabə] (saa-BE)

fruit 

مېوه [mēwa] (meh-WA)

bread 

ډوډۍ [ddoddəi] (ddoh-DDEI)

toast 

ټوسټ [ttostt] (TTOSTT)

noodles 

مېنچې [mēnchē] (mehn-CHEH)

rice 

وريژې [wrizhē] (WREE-zheh)

beans 

لوبيا [lobyaa] (lohb-YAA)

May I have a glass of _____? 

يو ګيلاس _____ څکى شم؟ [yaw gilaas _____ tskay shəm?] (yaw gee-laas _____ TSKAI shem?)

May I have a cup of _____? 

يوه پياله _____ څکى شم؟ [yawa pyaala _____ tskay shəm?] (ya-wa pyaa-la _____ TSKAI shem?)

May I have a bottle of _____? 

يوه بوتل _____ څکى شم؟ [yawa botəl _____ tskay shəm?] (ya-wa boh-tel _____ TSKAI shem?)

coffee 

قهوه [qahwa] (kaa-WA)

tea (drink) 

چاى [chaay] (CHAAY)

milk tea 

شودو چاى [shodo chaay] (shoh-DOH chaay)

green tea 

شنه چاى [shna chaay] (SHNA chaay)

juice 

مېوې اوبه [mēwē obə] (meh-WEH oh-be)

mineral water 

معدني اوبه [maadni obə] (maad-NEE oh-be)

water 

اوبه [obə] (oh-BE)

beer 

اوربشو اوبه [orbəsho obə] (ohr-BE-shoh oh-be) (NOTE: There is no alcoholic beer in restaurants)

wine 

شراب [sharaab] (sha-RAAB) (NOTE: There are no alcoholic beverages in restaurants)

May I have some _____? 

لږ _____ واخلم؟ [ləg _____ waakhləm?] (leg _____ WAAKH-lem?)

salt 

مالګه [maalga] (MAAL-ga)

black pepper 

تور مرچ [tor mrəch] (TOHR mrech)

butter 

کوچ [kwəch] (KOOCH)

Excuse me? (getting attention of waiter)

وبخښئ؟ [wubak'həi?] (WU-ba-khei?)

I'm finished. 

بس مې کړه [bas mē krra] (BAS meh krra)

It was delicious. 

ډېر خوند يې وکو [ddēr khwand yē wuko] (ddehr KHWAND yeh wu-koh)

Please clear the plates. 

دا لوښي لږ ټول کئ [daa lok'hi ləg ttol kəi] (daa LOH-khee leg TTOHL kei)

The check, please. 

Bars

The possession, sale and service of alcoholic beverages is illegal.

Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 

زما په مېچه دا لرئ؟ [zamaa pə mēcha daa larəi?] (ze-MAA pe MEH-cha DAA la-rei?)

How much is this? 

دا په څو دى؟ [daa pə tso day?] (DAA pe TSOH dai?)

That's too expensive. 

ډېر ګران دى [ddēr graan day] (DDEHR graan dai)

Would you take _____? 

به اخلئ؟ _____ [_____ ba akhləi?] (_____ ba AKH-lei?)

expensive 

ګران [graan] (GRAAN)

cheap 

ارزان [arzaan] (ar-ZAAN)

I can't afford it. 

دومره پيسې نه لرم [domra paysē nə larəm] (DOM-ra pai-seh NE la-rem)

I don't want it. 

نه يې غواړم [nə yē ghwaarrəm] (NE yeh ghwaa-rrem)

You're cheating me. 

خطا کوې مې [khataa kawē mē] (kha-taa ka-WEH meh)

I'm not interested. 

خوښ مې نه شو [khwak'h mē nə sho] (KHWAKH meh NE shoh)

OK, I'll take it. 

ښه، هم دا به واخلم [k'ha, ham daa ba waakhləm] (KHA, ham DAA ba waakh-lem)

Can I have a bag? 

کڅوړه اخيستى شم؟ [katsorra akhistay shəm?] (ka-TSOH-rra a-khees-TAI shem?)

Do you ship (overseas)? 

خارج ته سامان لېږئ؟ [khaarij ta saamaan legəi?] (khaa-RIJ ta saa-MAAN leh-gei?)

I need... 

مې په کار دى ... [... mē pə kaar day] (... meh pe kaar dai)

...toothpaste. 

غاښو لېټۍ [ghaak'ho lēttəi] (GHAA-khoh leh-TTEI)

...a toothbrush. 

غاښ مښونى [ghaak'h mək'hunay] (ghaakh me-KHOO-nai)

...tampons. 

تامپون [taampon] (taam-POHN)

...soap. 

صابون [saabun] (saa-BOON)

...shampoo. 

شامپو [shaampu] (shaam-POO)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) 

[] ( )

...cold medicine. 

د زکام دارو [da zukaam daaru] (da zu-KAAM daa-roo)

...stomach medicine. 

د نس دارو [da nas daaru] (da NAS daa-roo)

...a razor. 

تېغ [tēgh] (TEHGH)

...an umbrella. 

چترۍ [chatrəi] (chat-REI)

...sunblock lotion. 

[] ( )

...a postcard. 

د پوستې کارت [da postē kaart] (da pohs-TEH KAART)

...postage stamps. 

د پوستې ټکټ [da postē ttikətt] (da pohs-TEH tti-KETT)

...batteries. 

بېټرۍ [bēttrəi] (behtt-REI)

...writing paper. 

کاغذ [kaaghaz] (kaa-GHAZ)

...a pen. 

قلم [qalam] (ka-LAM), ليکانى [likaanay] (lee-kaa-NAI)

...English-language books. 

انګليسي ژبې کتابونه [inglisi zhəbē kitaabuna] (eeng-lee-SEE zhe-beh kee-taa-BOO-na)

...English-language magazines. 

انګليسي ژبې مجلې [inglisi zhəbē majale] (eeng-lee-SEE zhe-beh ma-ja-LEH)

...an English-language newspaper. 

انګليسي ژبې ورځپاڼه [inglisi zhəbē wradzpaanna] (eeng-lee-SEE zhe-beh wraz-PAA-nna)

...a Pashto-English dictionary. 

پښتو - انګليسي سيندګى [puk'hto-inglisi sindgay] (pukh-TO - eeng-lee-SEE seend-GAI)

Driving

I want to rent a car. 

ګاډى په کرايه اخيستل غواړم [gaadaay pə kraaya akhistəl ghwaarrəm] (GAA-ddai pe kraa-YA a-khees-tel ghwaa-rrem)

Can I get insurance? 

بيمه اخيستى شم؟ [bima akhistay shəm?] (bee-MA a-khees-TAI shem)

stop (on a street sign) 

تم [tam] (TAM)

one way 

يو لوريځ [yaw loridz] (yaw loh-REEZ)

yield 

لار ورکئ [laar warkəi] (LAAR war-kei), د اوړېدلو اجازه ورکئ [da awrrēdəlo ijaaza warkəi] (da aw-rreh-DE-lo ee-jaa-ZA war-kei)

parking 

تمځاى [tamdzaay] (tam ZAAY)

speed limit 

روا چټکتيا [rawaa chattaktyaa] (ra-WAA cha-ttak-TYAA)

gas (petrol) station 

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong. 

زه ګرم نه يم [zə gram nə yəm] (ze gram NE yem)

It was a misunderstanding. 

سم سره پوه نه شوو [sam sara poh nə shwu] (SAM sa-ra POH ne shwu)

Where are you taking me? 

چېرې مې بيايې؟ [chērē mē bodzəi?] (CHEH-reh meh boh-zei?)

Am I under arrest? 

زه مو ونيولم؟ [zə mo wuniwuləm?] (ze moh WU-nee-wu-lem?)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. 

د امريکا/استراليا/برتانيه/کانادا هېوادوال يم [da amrikaa/astraalyaa/bartaanya/kaanaadaa hēwaadwaal yəm] (da am-ree-KAA / as-traal-YAA / bar-taan-YA / kaa-naa-DAA heh-waad-WAAL yem)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. 

له امريکا/استراليا/برتانيه/کانادا سفارتخانې سره غږېدل غواړم [la amrikaa/astraalyaa/bartaanya/kaanaadaa sifaaratkhaanē sara ghagēdəl ghwaarrəm] (la am-ree-KAA / as-traal-YAA / bar-taan-YA / kaa-naa-DAA see-faa-rat-khaa-NEH sa-ra gha-geh-DEL ghwaa-rrem)

I want to speak to a lawyer. 

له قانون پوه سره غږېدل غواړم [la qanun poh sara ghagēdəl ghwaarrəm] (la kaa-noon POH sa-ra gha-geh-DEL ghwaa-rrem)

Can I just pay a fine now? 

اوس تشه جرمانه درکم؟ [os təsha jurmaana darkəm?] (ohs TE-sha jur-maa-NA DAR-kem?)