Useful Phrases to Know
Whether you're chatting with a local vendor, asking for directions, or simply wanting to greet someone, knowing a few key phrases in Dari (the most widely spoken language in Afghanistan) and Pashto (the second most spoken) can go a long way. Here's your cheat sheet to help make connections and show respect 👇
Greetings & Basic Etiquette 👋
Hello
Dari: سلام (Salam)
Pashto: سلام (Salam)
Goodbye
Dari: خداحافظ (Khuda Hafiz)
Pashto: خداحافظ (Khuda Hafiz)
Good morning
Dari: صبح بخیر (Sobh bakhair)
Pashto: سهار مو پخير (Sahar mo pe khair)
Good evening
Dari: عصر بخیر (Asr bakhair)
Pashto: ماښام مو پخير (Makhsham mo pe khair)
Thank you
Dari: تشکر (Tashakur)
Pashto: مننه (Manana)
You're welcome
Dari: خواهش می کنم (Khahesh mikonam)
Pashto: خوشحال شوم (Khushhal shom)
Polite Phrases & Requests 🙏
Please
Dari: لطفاً (Lutfan)
Pashto: مهرباني (Mehrbani)
Excuse me
Dari: معذرت می خواهم (Ma'zerat mikham)
Pashto: بښنه غواړم (Bakhshana ghuwaram)
Yes
Dari: بله (Bale)
Pashto: هو (Ho)
No
Dari: نه (Na)
Pashto: نه (Na)
How much is this?
Dari: این چقدر است؟ (In chandar ast?)
Pashto: دا څومره ده؟ (Da tsomra da?)
Where is...?
Dari: ...کجا است؟ (Where is ...?)
Pashto: ...چیرته دی؟ (Cheerta day?)
Directions & Travel 🚶♀️🛣️
Where is the bus station?
Dari: ایستگاه اتوبوس کجا است؟ (Istgah-e otobus kaja ast?)
Pashto: د بس تمځای چیرته دی؟ (Da bus tamzai cheerta dai?)
How do I get to [place]?
Dari: چگونه به [place] بروم؟ (Cheguneh beh [place] beram?)
Pashto: زه څنګه [place] ته ځم؟ (Za tsenga [place] ta dzam?)
I am lost
Dari: من گم شده ام (Man gom shode am)
Pashto: زه ورک شوی یم (Za work shawi yam)
Shopping & Food 🛍️🍽️
I want to buy this
Dari: می خواهم این را بخرم (Mikhaham in ra bekharam)
Pashto: زه غواړم دا واخلم (Za ghwarem da wakhlem)
What is this?
Dari: این چیست؟ (In chist?)
Pashto: دا څه دی؟ (Da tse de?)
Is it spicy?
Dari: آیا تند است؟ (Aya tond ast?)
Pashto: ایا تنده ده؟ (Aya tunda da?)
I am vegetarian
Dari: من گیاهخوار هستم (Man giyahkhor hastam)
Pashto: زه سبزي خوړونکی یم (Za sabzi khorwunki yam)
Emergency & Help 🚑
Help!
Dari: کمک! (Komak!)
Pashto: مرستې! (Mraste!)
I need a doctor
Dari: من به دکتر نیاز دارم (Man ba doctor niaz darem)
Pashto: زه ډاکټر ته اړتیا لرم (Za doctor ta artiya laram)
Call the police
Dari: پلیس را خبر کن (Police ra khabar kon)
Pashto: پولیس را وباسئ (Police ra wabasee)
Fun & Friendly 👫
How are you?
Dari: حال شما چطور است؟ (Haal-e shoma chetor ast?)
Pashto: څنګه یاست؟ (Tsenga yast?)
I’m fine, thank you
Dari: خوبم، تشکر (Khobam, tashakur)
Pashto: زه ښه یم، مننه (Za kha yam, manana)
I like Afghanistan
Dari: من افغانستان را دوست دارم (Man Afghanistan ra doost darem)
Pashto: زه افغانستان خوښوم (Za Afghanistan khwakhom)
Learning a few local phrases can help you navigate both urban centers and rural areas while making meaningful connections with the people of Afghanistan. Just like anywhere, a smile and an effort to speak the local language goes a long way!
