Welcome to “Learn Pashto Language: From Zero to a Quick Conversation in Only Two Weeks!” This language tutorial is designed to provide you with a comprehensive way on learning Pashto language, enabling you to quickly engage in basic conversations within a short timeframe.
This page, specially created by our RJ Travel team, about one of the official languages of Afghanistan, creates an effective and engaging learning resource. It is carefully crafted to suit beginners who have little to no prior knowledge of Pashto, making it ideal for self-study or as a supplementary guide in a classroom setting.
To make the most of this page, we recommend following the suggested two-week learning plan. Each section is designed to build upon the previous one, gradually expanding your knowledge and proficiency in Pashto. Divided into chapters, we encourage you to study one chapter per day, allowing time for practice and review.
Within each chapter, you will find explanations, examples, and practice exercises. Take your time to absorb the information and practice regularly. As you progress, you will notice your ability to comprehend and converse in Pashto improving.
Tips for Learning Pashto
Here are some tips to enhance your learning experience and maximize your progress:
1. Consistency is Key: Dedicate regular study time each day to immerse yourself in the language. Even short study sessions can be highly effective.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice: Language learning is a skill that requires practice. Engage in conversations with native speakers, use online language resources, and participate in language exchange programs to practice your skills.
3. Immerse Yourself in Pashto: Surround yourself with Pashto language materials, such as music, movies, and books. The more you expose yourself to the language, the faster you will progress.
4. Set Realistic Goals: Break down your learning objectives into smaller, achievable goals. Celebrate your progress along the way, and don’t get discouraged by occasional challenges.
Now that we’ve set the stage for your Pashto learning journey, let’s dive into the basics of the Pashto language and start building your language skills from the ground up.
The Basics of Pashto Language
Pashto is an ancient language with a rich history and cultural significance. It is spoken primarily in Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as by Pashtun communities around the world. Learning Pashto not only opens doors to communicate with millions of people but also provides a deeper understanding of Pashtun culture and traditions.
In this section, we will explore the fundamentals of the Pashto language. We will cover the topics outlined in the initial overview, including an overview of Pashto, its importance and usage, the Pashto alphabet and pronunciation guide, and common sounds and pronunciation tips.
Overview of Pashto
Pashto is an Indo-Iranian language belonging to the Eastern Iranian branch. It is known for its unique script, derived from the Perso-Arabic script, which is read from right to left. Pashto has its own distinct phonology, vocabulary, and grammar.
Importance and Usage
Pashto is one of the official languages of Afghanistan and a recognized regional language in Pakistan. It plays a crucial role in everyday communication, commerce, education, and government affairs in Pashtun-dominated regions. Learning Pashto allows you to connect with Pashto speakers, gain insights into their culture, and navigate these regions with ease.
Pashto holds significant importance in the daily lives of millions of people. It is one of the official languages of Afghanistan and a recognized regional language in Pakistan. Pashto is used in various domains such as education, media, business, government, and social interactions within Pashtun communities. By learning Pashto, you can gain access to a wealth of cultural knowledge and connect with Pashto speakers on a deeper level.
Pashto Alphabet and Pronunciation Guide
The Pashto alphabet consists of 44 letters, including vowels and consonants. In this section, we will introduce each letter, its pronunciation, and how it corresponds to English sounds. We will also provide examples to illustrate the usage of specific letters and sounds in Pashto words.
Pashto Alphabet
Table that includes the Pashto alphabet in isolated form, its corresponding English transliteration, a pronunciation guide for English speakers, and the name of each letter:
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| Pashto Alphabet (Isolate Form) | English Transliteration | Pronunciation Guide for English Speakers | Name of Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| أ | A | ah | Alif |
| ب | B | b | Ba |
| پ | P | p | Pe |
| ت | T | t | Te |
| ټ | Ṭ | ṭ | Tte |
| ث | S | s | Se |
| ج | J | j | Jeem |
| چ | C | ch | Che |
| ح | H | h | He |
| خ | Kh | kh | Khe |
| د | D | d | Da |
| ډ | Ḍ | ḍ | Dda |
| ذ | Z | z | Ze |
| ر | R | r | Re |
| ړ | Ṛ | ṛ | Rre |
| ز | Z | z | Ze |
| ږ | Zh | zh | Zhay |
| ژ | X | x | Zhe |
| س | S | s | Seen |
| ش | Sh | sh | Sheen |
| ص | Ṣ | ṣ | Sad |
| ض | Ḍ | ḍ | Dad |
| ط | Ṭ | ṭ | Ta |
| ظ | Ẓ | ẓ | Za |
| ع | ‘ | glottal stop | Ain |
| غ | Gh | gh | Ghain |
| ف | F | f | Fe |
| ق | Q | q | Qaf |
| ک | K | k | Kaf |
| ګ | G | g | Gaf |
| گ | G | g | Ghaf |
| ل | L | l | La |
| م | M | m | Me |
| ن | N | n | Noon |
| ڼ | Ń | ń | Nne |
| و | W | w | Waw |
| ې | E | eh | E |
| ي | Y | y | Yay |
| ۍ | E | eh | Ye |
| ې | E | eh | E |
| ه | H | h | Ha |
| ہ | H | h | Hah |
| څ | Ts | ts | Tshe |
| ځ | Z | z | Dzhe |
| څ | Ts | ts | Tshe |
| چ | C | ch | Che |
| ځ | Z | z | Dzhe |
| ژ | X | x | Zhe |
Pashto Pronunciation
Table that provides examples to illustrate the usage of specific letters and sounds in Pashto words, along with corresponding English transliteration and pronunciation guide for English speakers. Click to open.
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| Letter | Example Word 1 | Meaning | Example Word 2 | Meaning | Example Word 3 | Meaning | English Transliteration | Pronunciation Guide for English Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| أ | A | ah | ||||||
| ب | باب (bāb) | door | بل (bul) | flower | بوټ (buṭ) | book | B | b |
| پ | پښتو (pukhtu) | Pashto | پلار (pulār) | bridge | پوسته (pūstah) | skin | P | p |
| ت | تلو (tol) | three | تور (tōr) | grass | تړل (taral) | sharp | T | t |
| ټ | Ṭ | ṭ | ||||||
| ث | ثاقب (sāqb) | morning | ثلاثة (silāsah) | three | ثغر (saghar) | throat | S | s |
| ج | جوړ (jor) | answer | جل (jal) | fire | جنت (jannat) | paradise | J | j |
| چ | چاپلوس (chāplos) | flatter | چنچل (chanchal) | red | چمک (chamak) | shine | C | ch |
| ح | حرف (harf) | letter | حبشي (habshi) | Ethiopian | حمله (hamlah) | attack | H | h |
| خ | خوب (khūb) | good | خشک (khushk) | dry | خنده (khandah) | laughter | Kh | kh |
| د | دوه (dwa) | two | دانه (dānah) | seed | دل (dil) | heart | D | d |
| ډ | ډیر (ḍer) | many | ډله (ḍalah) | path | ډله (ḍalah) | flood | Ḍ | ḍ |
| ذ | ذکر (zikr) | mention | ذوق (zoq) | taste | ذره (zarrah) | particle | Z | z |
| ر | رنګ (rang) | color | راټه (rāṭah) | way | راځئ (rāzah) | start | R | r |
| ړ | ړومبل (ṛōmbal) | table | ړنګ (ṛang) | color | ړاځ (ṛāz) | side | Ṛ | ṛ |
| Letter | Example Word 1 | Meaning | Example Word 2 | Meaning | Example Word 3 | Meaning | English Transliteration | Pronunciation Guide for English Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ي | يوسف (Yūsuf) | Joseph | يو (yū) | he | ياد (yād) | memory | Y | y |
| ۍ | ۍوښت (wahṭ) | promise | ۍي (wī) | woman | ۍو (wā) | drink | E | eh |
| ې | ېلان (ēlān) | water | ېلب (ēlb) | knowledge | ېڅه (ēzah) | what | E | eh |
| ه | هوا (hawā) | wind | هغه (hagha) | that | هڅه (hachah) | something | H | h |
| ہ | ہوسکول (hūskul) | school | ہر (har) | every | ہوکی (hūkī) | hope | H | h |
| څ | څوک (tsawak) | far | څه (tsah) | who | څه (tsah) | something | Ts | ts |
| ځ | ځواب (zawāb) | answer | ځان (zhān) | soul | ځمکه (zhmakah) | laughter | Z | z |
| څ | څوک (tsawak) | far | څه (tsah) | who | څه (tsah) | something | Ts | ts |
| چ | چاپلوس (chāpulūs) | flatter | چنچل (chanchal) | red | چمک (chamak) | shine | C | ch |
| ځ | ځواب (zawāb) | answer | ځان (zhān) | soul | ځمکه (zhmakah) | laughter | Z | z |
| ژ | ژوبل (zhōbal) | finger | ژوند (zhwānd) | life | ژوند (zhwānd) | world | X | x |
Common Sounds and Pronunciation Tips
Pashto pronunciation may differ from English, making it important to familiarize yourself with the unique sounds of the language. We will cover common sounds, including vowels, consonants, and pronunciation patterns, ensuring you develop accurate Pashto pronunciation skills from the beginning.
By mastering the Pashto alphabet and understanding its pronunciation nuances, you will have a solid foundation for reading, writing, and speaking in Pashto.
Pashto Vowels
In Pashto, there are both short and long vowel sounds. Long vowels are typically marked by diacritical symbols, such as accents or elongation marks. Let’s explore the common vowel sounds in Pashto along with some examples of words for each sound:
- /a/:
- Example Words: باب (bāb) [door], کابل (kābul) [Kabul], لاړې (lāṛe) [hill]
- /e/:
- Example Words: بېلتون (beilton) [building], خپلېد (khepled) [your own], نېکړې (nekre) [good]
- /i/:
- Example Words: کتاب (kitāb) [book], ليست (list) [list], دين (dīn) [religion]
- /o/:
- Example Words: ګوښتنه (gwaṭṭna) [promise], موږ (mōź) [we], څوک (tsōk) [far]
- /u/:
- Example Words: پنځه (panṣa) [five], ړمبل (ṛambaṛ) [table], موږ (mōź) [we]
These examples provide a glimpse into the vowel sounds commonly found in Pashto. Remember, mastering the pronunciation of vowels is essential for accurate Pashto communication. Practice these vowel sounds with various words and gradually work on improving your pronunciation.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that Pashto has vowel length distinctions that can affect word meanings. Pay attention to long vowels marked by diacritical symbols, as they can alter the pronunciation and differentiate words.
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In Pashto, there are generally considered to be seven vowels: /i/, /e/, /æ/, /a/, /o/, /u/, and two diphthongs /ai/ and /au/.
Front Vowels:
- /i/ – Pronounced like the “ee” in “see”
Example: دی (dī) – “two” - /e/ – Similar to the “e” in “bed”
Example: بېن (bēn) – “see” - /æ/ – Pronounced as the “a” in “cat”
Example: کتاب (katāb) – “book”
Central Vowels:
- /a/ – Similar to the “a” in “father”
Example: سترګه (satrəga) – “hundred”
Back Vowels:
- /o/ – Pronounced like the “o” in “open”
Example: روځ (rōz) – “day” - /u/ – Similar to the “oo” in “moon”
Example: وړومبل (wṛōmbəl) – “table”
Pashto also includes long vowel sounds, which are usually indicated by diacritical marks. Long vowels are held for a longer duration than short vowels.
Diphthongs:
Pashto has several diphthongs, which are vowel combinations pronounced as a single sound:
- /ai/ – Pronounced as the “ai” in “pain”
Example: نيټه (naitə) – “night” - /au/ – Similar to the “ou” in “house”
Example: ړومبل (ṛōmbəl) – “table”
It’s important to note that Pashto has vowel length distinctions, which can affect word meanings. The length of a vowel can change the meaning of a word in Pashto.
Table with the vowel length distinctions in Pashto, along with English meanings for the example words:
| Vowel | Short | Long | Examples | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| /a/ | a | ā | باب (bāb) / بب (bab) | door / gate |
| /e/ | e | ē | دېر (dēr) / دیر (dīr) | late / long |
| /i/ | i | ī | مېلمسته (mēlmasta) / ميلمسته (milmasta) | teacher / prison |
| /o/ | o | ō | ستره (satarah) / ستر (star) | carpet / century |
| /u/ | u | ū | ښځه (khaža) / ښښه (khažža) | leg / injury |
| /ə/ | ā | خوړه (khwra) / خور (khor) | sister / food | |
| /ɛ/ | ā | زر (zar) / زور (zor) | gold / power |
In Pashto, the distinction between short and long vowels can significantly impact the meanings of words. Paying attention to these vowel length distinctions is essential for accurate pronunciation and understanding in the language.
| Vowel | Pronunciation | Example Words |
|---|---|---|
| /i/ | Pronounced like the “ee” in “see” | دی (dī) – “two” |
| /e/ | Similar to the “e” in “bed” | بېن (bēn) – “see” |
| /æ/ | Pronounced as the “a” in “cat” | کتاب (katāb) – “book” |
| /a/ | Similar to the “a” in “father” | سترګه (satrəga) – “hundred” |
| /o/ | Pronounced like the “o” in “open” | روځ (rōz) – “day” |
| /u/ | Similar to the “oo” in “moon” | وړومبل (wṛōmbəl) – “table” |
| /ai/ | Pronounced as the “ai” in “pain” | نيټه (naitə) – “night” |
| /au/ | Similar to the “ou” in “house” | ړومبل (ṛōmbəl) – “table” |
The given pronunciation guide represents an approximate representation of the Pashto vowel sounds using English equivalents.
Continued exposure to native Pashto speakers and listening to authentic Pashto audio resources will help further refine your vowel pronunciation skills. Practice and repetition are key to achieving accurate Pashto vowel sounds.
Pashto Consonants
Pashto has a range of consonant sounds, some of which may differ from English. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the consonant sounds and their corresponding symbols in Pashto.
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Consonant Inventory: Pashto has a total of 29 consonant phonemes, comprising various types such as stops, fricatives, affricates, nasals, liquids, and glides.
Voicing: Pashto differentiates between voiced and voiceless consonants. It has 15 voiceless consonants and 14 voiced consonants. Voiced consonants are produced with vocal cord vibration, while voiceless consonants are produced without vocal cord vibration.
Articulation Points: Pashto consonants are articulated at different points in the vocal tract, including:
a. Bilabial Consonants: Consonants produced by bringing both lips together, such as /p/, /b/, /m/.
b. Labiodental Consonants: Consonants produced by placing the lower lip against the upper teeth, such as /f/, /v/.
c. Dental Consonants: Consonants produced by placing the tongue against the upper teeth, such as /θ/ (as in “thin”) and /ð/ (as in “this”).
d. Alveolar Consonants: Consonants produced by placing the tongue against the alveolar ridge, such as /t/, /d/, /s/, /z/, /n/, /r/, /l/.
e. Palatal Consonants: Consonants produced by raising the middle part of the tongue against the hard palate, such as /ʃ/ (as in “she”), /ʒ/ (as in “treasure”), /j/.
f. Velar Consonants: Consonants produced by raising the back of the tongue against the soft palate, such as /k/, /g/, /ŋ/ (as in “song”).
g. Uvular Consonants: Consonants produced by raising the back of the tongue against the uvula, such as /q/ and /ʁ/.
Aspiration: Pashto includes aspirated consonants, indicated by a slight release of breath after the consonant sound. Aspirated consonants are distinct phonemes and have a noticeable puff of air. Examples include /pʰ/, /tʰ/, and /kʰ/.
Consonant Clusters: Pashto allows consonant clusters, where two or more consonants appear consecutively without an intervening vowel. Consonant clusters can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of words, requiring precise articulation of each consonant sound. Examples include /st/ in “staṛ” (star) and /nt/ in “dant” (tooth).
Orthographic Representation: Pashto is written using a modified Arabic script, with additional letters and diacritical marks to represent specific Pashto consonant sounds. Familiarizing yourself with the Pashto orthographic system is essential for accurate reading and writing of Pashto consonants.
By delving into these technical details of Pashto consonants and practicing their pronunciation, you can enhance your understanding and proficiency in the Pashto language, enabling effective communication with native Pashto speakers.
Examples of common consonant sounds in Pashto along with words that illustrate each sound:
| Consonant | Example Word 1 | Meaning | Example Word 2 | Meaning | Example Word 3 | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ب | باب (bāb) | door | بل (bul) | flower | بوټ (buṭ) | book |
| پ | پښتو (pukhtu) | Pashto | پلار (pulār) | bridge | پوسته (pūstah) | skin |
| ت | تلو (tol) | three | تور (tōr) | grass | تړل (taral) | sharp |
| ث | ثاقب (sāqb) | morning | ثلاثة (silāsah) | three | ثغر (saghar) | throat |
| ج | جوړ (jor) | answer | جل (jal) | fire | جنت (jannat) | paradise |
| چ | چاپلوس (chāplos) | flatter | چنچل (chanchal) | red | چمک (chamak) | shine |
| ح | حرف (harf) | letter | حبشي (habshi) | Ethiopian | حمله (hamlah) | attack |
| خ | خوب (khūb) | good | خشک (khashk) | dry | خنده (khandah) | laughter |
| د | دوه (duh) | two | دانه (dānah) | seed | دل (dil) | heart |
| ډ | ډیر (ḍēr) | many | ډله (ḍalah) | path | ډله (ḍalah) | flood |
By familiarizing yourself with these consonant sounds and practicing their pronunciation, you’ll be able to accurately pronounce Pashto words.
| Consonant | IPA | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| ب | b | باب (bāb) |
| پ | p | پښتو (pukhtu) |
| ت | t | تلو (tol) |
| ټ | ṭ | ټوک (ṭok) |
| ث | s | ثاقب (sāqb) |
| ج | ʤ | جوړ (jor) |
| چ | ʧ | چاپلوس (chāplos) |
| ح | h | حرف (harf) |
| خ | x | خوب (khūb) |
| د | d | دوه (doa) |
| ډ | ḍ | ډله (ḍalah) |
| ذ | z | ذکر (zakar) |
| ر | r | رنګ (rang) |
| ړ | ṛ | ړومبل (ṛombal) |
| ز | z | زړه (zarra) |
| ږ | ʒ | ږوښت (zhwakht) |
| ژ | ʒ | ژوبل (zhōbal) |
| س | s | سپړ (sapar) |
| ش | ʃ | شپه (shapah) |
| ص | s | صبا (saba) |
| ض | ɖ | ضمير (zamīr) |
| ط | ʈ | طوطه (ṭūṭah) |
| ظ | ʐ | ظرافت (ẓarāfat) |
| ع | ʔ | عمر (umar) |
| غ | ɣ | غريب (gharīb) |
| ف | f | فراخ (farākh) |
| ق | q | قلم (qalam) |
| ک | k | کور (kōr) |
| ګ | g | ګوډ (gud) |
| گ | g | گل (gul) |
| ل | l | لمر (lamar) |
| م | m | مچ (mach) |
| ن | n | نرمل (narmal) |
| ڼ | ɳ | ڼکه (ńka) |
| و | w | ورځ (warzha) |
| ې | ə | ېلان (īlān) |
| ي | j | يوسف (Yūsuf) |
| ۍ | ə | ۍوښت (īwach) |
| ه | h | هوا (hawa) |
| ہ | h | ہوسکول (hūskul) |
| څ | ts | څوک (tsūk) |
| ځ | z | ځواب (zawāb) |
| چ | ʧ | چمک (chamak) |
| ژ | ʒ | ژوند (zhwānd) |
The above table represents the consonant sounds in Pashto, along with their respective IPA symbols and example words showcasing each sound.
Building Vocabulary
Building a strong vocabulary is essential for effective communication in any language. In this section, we will introduce you to essential Pashto words and phrases that will help you express yourself confidently in various situations.
We will begin by providing a list of essential Pashto words and phrases that are commonly used in everyday conversations. These include greetings, introductions, expressions of gratitude, polite phrases, and more.nExpanding your vocabulary to include colors, days of the week, and months of the year will enable you to discuss specific topics and understand time-related expressions.
Pashto Vocabulary
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Greeting others appropriately is a crucial part of any conversation. We will cover common Pashto greetings such as “Salam alaikum” (Peace be upon you) and “Manana” (Thank you).
| Pashto Phrase | English Translation | Pronunciation Guide for English Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| سلام عليکم (Salam alaikum) | Peace be upon you | sah-LAHM ah-LAY-koom |
| وعليکم سلام (Wa’alaikum salam) | And upon you, peace | wah-ah-LAY-koom sah-LAHM |
| صبا بخیر (Saba bakhair) | Good morning | SAH-bah bakh-EER |
| شپې بخیر (Shpē bakhair) | Good evening | shpay bakh-EER |
| مننه (Manana) | Thank you | mah-NAH-nah |
| لړ ورځ (Lar warzha) | Goodbye | lar WAR-zhah |
| د عید ټول خوشحالی (Da ‘īd ṭol khushhālī) | Happy holidays | dah EED tohl khoosh-HAA-lee |
| کله وختی ښه شو (Kala waḵtī khay shaw) | Have a good day | kah-LAH wahkh-TEE khay shaw |
Polite expressions and basic conversational phrases to help you initiate and maintain conversations.
| Pashto Phrase | English Translation | Pronunciation Guide for English Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| معذرت مي کوم (Ma’azrat me kom) | Excuse me | mah-AZ-rat may kohm |
| لطفاً (Lutfan) | Please | loo-TFAHN |
| مهرباني وکړي (Mehrbani wakri) | Kindly | mehr-BAH-nee wah-KREE |
| د بښني سلام (Da bakhena salam) | Say hello to… | dah bah-KHEH-nah sah-LAHM |
| له مرستیاوه تشکر کول (Le marastiyāwa tashakkur kawal) | Regards | lay mah-RAH-stee-AW-ah tah-SHAHK-koor kaw-AHL |
| د دیر امتحانونو په برید کې په هېواد کې ورکړل شوی (Da dēr imtḥānūno pē brīd ke pē hēwād ke warkra l shwē) | Good luck with your exams | dah deyr eem-TAH-noo-noh pay breed kay pay hewaad kay warkh-rul shwee |
| خوشحال شوم چې تانه واورئ (Khushhāl shom chi tāna wavre) | Nice to meet you | khoosh-HAA-l shohm chee TAA-nah wav-ray |
This table provides a range of phrases related to introductions in Pashto, including asking for names, introducing oneself, inquiring about someone’s origin, expressing pleasure in meeting, and offering formal apologies.
Learning introductions is crucial as they lay the foundation for building connections and establishing rapport in social interactions. By mastering the art of introductions in Pashto, you can confidently greet others, introduce yourself, and engage in meaningful conversations, fostering positive relationships and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
| Pashto Phrase | English Translation | Pronunciation Guide for English Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| د اسم څخه (Da ism tsakha) | What’s your name? | dah EESM tsak-HAH |
| زه نوم ……………………………. دی (Za nom __ dey) | My name is __ | zah NOHM __ day |
| د تاسو نوم څه دی؟ (Da tāsu nom tsah day?) | What’s your name? | dah TAA-soo NOHM tsah day |
| زه به نوم …………………………. دی (Za ba nom __ dey) | I am __ | zah bah NOHM __ day |
| په هیله کی دی چې نن ورځ؟ (Pē heela ki day chi nan warzha?) | Where are you from? | pay HEE-lah keh day chee nan war-zhah |
| زه د هیله کې ……………………………. دی (Za da heela ke __ dey) | I am from __ | zah dah HEE-lah kay __ day |
| خوشحال شم چې تانه واورئ (Khushhāl shom chi tāna wavre) | Nice to meet you | khoosh-HAA-l shohm chee TAA-nah wav-ray |
| لږ له لیدلو په لاره یو شوم (Lar da līdalo pē lāra yū shom) | I’m pleased to meet you | lar dah LEE-dah-lo pay LAH-rah yo shohm |
| مخلصه یم چې ……………………………. (Mukhlisah yam chi __) | I am __ (formal) | mookh-lee-SAH yahm chee __ |
| معذرت می کوم چې وروره وم (Ma’azrat me kom chi warrora wum) | Sorry, I am late | mah-AZ-rat may kohm chee wahr-ROH-rah woom |
Understanding numbers is essential for various everyday interactions, from shopping to telling time. We will cover the Pashto numerical system, including cardinal and ordinal numbers, and provide examples of how to use them in practical contexts.
| Number | Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | يو | yū |
| 2 | دوه | doh |
| 3 | درې | drey |
| 4 | څلور | chalor |
| 5 | پنځ | panj |
| 6 | شپږ | shpagh |
| 7 | اووه | owa |
| 8 | اته | attah |
| 9 | نه | nah |
| 10 | لس | las |
| 11 | يولس | yūlas |
| 12 | دولس | dolas |
| 13 | درېلس | dreylas |
| 14 | څلورلس | chalorlas |
| 15 | پنځلس | panjlas |
| 16 | شپږلس | shpaghlas |
| 17 | اووه لس | owalas |
| 18 | اته لس | attahlas |
| 19 | نولس | nawlas |
| 20 | بيس | bees |
| 30 | لسي | lasi |
| 40 | څلوري | chalori |
| 50 | پنځی | panji |
| 60 | شپږي | shpaghi |
| 70 | اووه ي | owa yi |
| 80 | اته ي | attah yi |
| 90 | نه ي | nah yi |
| 100 | سل | sal |
| 1,000 | هزار | hazaar |
| 10,000 | د هزار | da hazaar |
| 100,000 | ليک | leek |
| 1,000,000 | ميليون | milyun |
This table extends the numbers in Pashto from 1 to 1,000,000, providing the Pashto transliteration and corresponding Pashto words. It allows learners to practice counting in Pashto and develop a deeper understanding of the number system in the language.
Counting in Pashto follows a relatively straightforward pattern. The numbers from 1 to 10 have specific words, and after that, the pattern repeats with a combination of words for tens and ones.
Here are the numbers from 1 to 10 in Pashto:
| Number | Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | يو | yū |
| 2 | دوه | doh |
| 3 | درې | drey |
| 4 | څلور | chalor |
| 5 | پنځ | panj |
| 6 | شپږ | shpagh |
| 7 | اووه | owa |
| 8 | اته | attah |
| 9 | نه | nah |
| 10 | لس | las |
To count from 11 to 19, you add the word “las” (10) as a prefix to the numbers from 1 to 9.
For example:
| Number | Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | يولس | yūlas |
| 12 | دولس | dolas |
| 13 | درېلس | dreylas |
| 14 | څلورلس | chalorlas |
| 15 | پنځلس | panjlas |
| 16 | شپږلس | shpaghlas |
| 17 | اووه لس | owalas |
| 18 | اته لس | attahlas |
| 19 | نولس | nawlas |
To count in multiples of 10, you use the word for the multiple of 10 followed by the word for the ones.
For example:
| Number | Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | بيس | bees |
| 30 | لسي | lasi |
| 40 | څلوري | chalori |
| 50 | پنځی | panji |
| 60 | شپږي | shpaghi |
| 70 | اووه ي | owa yi |
| 80 | اته ي | attah yi |
| 90 | نه ي | nah yi |
To count larger numbers, you combine the words for hundreds, thousands, and millions. Here are some examples:
| Number | Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | سل | sal |
| 1,000 | هزار | hazaar |
| 10,000 | د هزار | da hazaar |
| 100,000 | ليک | leek |
| 1,000,000 | ميليون | milyun |
Examples:
| Number | Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word |
|---|---|---|
| 127 | سل هوتلساته سات | sal wotlasat sāt |
| 2,500 | دوه هزار پنځ سل | doh hazaar panj sal |
| 56,789 | پنځه و پنځوېلس هزار هفت سل | panzah u panzwelas hazaar haft sal |
Learning the colors in Pashto is important for effective communication and understanding cultural references. Colors play a significant role in our daily lives, from describing objects and expressing preferences to discussing art, fashion, and nature. By learning the colors in Pashto, you can accurately describe and identify objects, express your preferences, and engage in conversations about various topics that involve colors.
| Color | Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word |
|---|---|---|
| Red | لار | lār |
| Blue | آسماني | āsmanī |
| Green | شنه | shna |
| Yellow | زرد | zard |
| Orange | نارنجي | nāranjī |
| Purple | جامنی | jāmanī |
| Pink | گلابي | gulābī |
| Brown | بڼه | bəṇə |
| Black | تور | tawr |
| White | سپي | spē |
| Gray | خاځي | khāzi |
| Silver | ارغواني | arghwānī |
| Gold | زر | zar |
In Pashto, the names of the days of the week are derived from Persian and have cultural and historical influences. The Pashto word for “day” is “یوم” (yōm), followed by the specific day name. The names of the days are related to celestial bodies and elements.
| Day | Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | یوم کاسپی | yōm kāspē |
| Monday | یوم اتوار | yōm atwār |
| Tuesday | یوم تلوار | yōm talwār |
| Wednesday | یوم ورځ | yōm warz̤ |
| Thursday | یوم پيړه | yōm pyəṛə |
| Friday | یوم جمعه | yōm jumə’ə |
| Saturday | یوم شنبه | yōm shanbə |
It’s interesting to note that the Pashto calendar traditionally starts with Saturday, making it the first day of the week. This differs from the Western calendar where Sunday is typically considered the first day. This is an important cultural distinction to keep in mind when discussing days of the week in Pashto-speaking contexts.
Use this table to learn and remember the Pashto names for the days of the week, and it will help you in scheduling appointments, planning activities, and engaging in discussions about time and weekly routines.
These are the Pashto names for the months of the Gregorian calendar. The Pashto names are similar to the English names, with some variations in pronunciation.
| Month | Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word |
|---|---|---|
| January | جنوری | janūrī |
| February | فبروري | febrūrī |
| March | مارچ | mārč |
| April | اپریل | aprīl |
| May | می | mē |
| June | جون | jūn |
| July | جولای | jūlāī |
| August | اگست | agast |
| September | سپتمبر | saptambar |
| October | اکتوبر | aktōbar |
| November | نومبر | nōmbar |
| December | دسمبر | disambar |
Use this table to familiarize yourself with the Pashto names for the months of the year. It will help you in discussions about dates, scheduling, and understanding time-related expressions in Pashto-speaking contexts.
Exploring Pashto food vocabulary will allow you to navigate menus, order meals, and discuss culinary preferences. We will introduce a variety of food items, beverages, and dining-related phrases to enhance your ability to engage in conversations centered around food.
Vegetables:
| Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| شلومګاز | shlamgāz | Spinach |
| غونده | ghūnda | Tomato |
| پاڼه ونډۍ | pāṇah wanda | Cabbage |
| ډمه | ḍama | Pumpkin |
| تورو | tōrō | Carrot |
| کچلې | kachlē | Cauliflower |
| کرمبه | karamba | Cucumber |
| بندګوبه | bandgūba | Eggplant |
| بنجان | banjān | Bell pepper |
| لسګ | lasg | Radish |
Fruits:
| Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| میوه | mēwah | Fruit |
| ښوړه | xwurah | Apple |
| انار | anār | Pomegranate |
| ګوټه | gūṭah | Pear |
| خوپره | khōpra | Coconut |
| لمو | lamō | Lemon |
| نارنګي | nārangay | Orange |
| پښله | pashla | Peach |
| مالته | māltah | Melon |
| څوکه | tsūkah | Cherry |
Meats:
| Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| گوشت | gūsht | Meat |
| مرغ | margh | Chicken |
| گوسفند | gūsafand | Lamb |
| بزه | buzah | Goat |
| گاو | gāw | Cow |
| بڼه | binah | Beef |
| لاړ | lāṛ | Fish |
| کباب | kabāb | Kebab |
| مورچه | mōrchah | Sausage |
| خوراک | khōrāk | Food |
Beverages:
| Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| مشروبات | mashrūbāt | Beverages |
| چای | chāy | Tea |
| قهوه | qahwah | Coffee |
| مېوه چاي | mēwah chāy | Fruit tea |
| شربت | sharbat | Syrup |
| دوه افغاني | dwa afghānī | Afghan green tea |
| شنګني | shangnay | Yogurt drink |
| لیمو پانی | līmū pānī | Lemonade |
| میوه ډرنک | mēwah drinḳ | Fruit juice |
| شربتي | sharbatay | Soft drink |
Desserts:
| Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| میټه | mēṭah | Sweet |
| پوړه | purah | Cake |
| کوفته | kōftah | Pastry |
| ایس کریم | īs khrīm | Ice cream |
| حلوه | halwah | Halva |
| کفه | kafah | Cookie |
| فرفره | farfarah | Pudding |
| شیریني | shērēnī | Dessert |
| خواجه | khwājah | Baklava |
| مرغمه | marghmah | Custard |
Understanding familial terms and relationships is valuable for connecting with Pashto-speaking communities. We will cover words for family members, kinship terms, and phrases related to family life, enabling you to discuss family matters and engage in conversations about relationships.
Family Members:
| Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| خاندان | khāndān | Family |
| پلار | pulār | Father |
| مور | mōr | Mother |
| برادر | brādar | Brother |
| خور | khōr | Sister |
| پهری | pahrey | Son |
| دختر | dochter | Daughter |
| جدی | jadī | Grandfather |
| جدونه | jadūnah | Grandmother |
| زوی | zaway | Husband |
| زوړه | zūṛah | Wife |
| ولسمه | walsmah | In-law |
| ناواز | nāwāz | Cousin |
| عمه | ʿamah | Aunt |
| عمه ننه | ʿamah nanah | Aunt (paternal) |
| خاله | khālah | Aunt (maternal) |
| عمو | ʿamū | Uncle |
| عمو ننه | ʿamū nanah | Uncle (paternal) |
| خاڼه | khāṇah | Family member |
Relationships:
| Pashto Transliteration | Pashto Word | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| رشته | rishtah | Relationship |
| دوست | dōst | Friend |
| پیار | pyār | Love |
| محبت | mahabbat | Affection |
| شوهر | shawhar | Husband |
| زوجه | zūjah | Wife |
| بچې | bachē | Child |
| بچۍ | bachay | Children |
| والدین | wāldēn | Parents |
| خواجه | khwājah | Brother-in-law |
| خاله | khālah | Aunt |
| عمو | ʿamū | Uncle |
| ځاي | zhai | Neighbor |
| پړاو | praū | Relative |
| سړی | saraī | Spouse |
| ساتی | sātī | Partner |
| راهم | rāhum | Companion |
| مهربانی | mehrbānī | Kindness |
| احساس | aḥsās | Emotion |
| وابسته | wābastah | Attached |
Constructing Sentences in Pashto
Constructing sentences correctly is essential for effective communication in Pashto. In this section, we will delve into the structure of Pashto sentences and guide you through the process of forming grammatically accurate and meaningful statements.
Pashto Sentence Structure
We will begin by introducing the basic structure of Pashto sentences. Understanding the word order and sentence components, such as subjects, verbs, and objects, will provide a foundation for constructing coherent and natural-sounding sentences.
In Pashto, understanding the basic structure of sentences is essential for effective communication. Pashto follows a subject-object-verb (SOV) word order, which means that the subject typically comes before the object and the verb is placed at the end of the sentence. This word order distinguishes Pashto from English, where the word order is subject-verb-object (SVO).
Example: English: She reads a book. Pashto: د هغه کتاب ووړی
In this example, “She” is the subject (هغه), “a book” is the object (کتاب), and “reads” is the verb (ووړی). The verb comes at the end of the sentence.
Nouns, Pronouns, and Adjectives
This section will cover the role of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in Pashto sentences. We will explore their usage, gender agreement, and how they modify or describe other elements within the sentence. Clear examples will be provided to illustrate their usage.
In Pashto, nouns, pronouns, and adjectives play crucial roles in sentence construction and conveying meaning. Let’s explore their usage and how they interact within sentences:
Nouns
- Nouns are words that represent people, places, things, or ideas.
- They can function as subjects, objects, or possessive elements in a sentence.
- Nouns in Pashto have gender distinctions (masculine and feminine) and number (singular and plural).
- Gender agreement is essential when using adjectives and determiners with nouns.
Pronouns
- Pronouns are words used in place of nouns to avoid repetition.
- They can function as subjects, objects, possessive elements, or as the object of a preposition.
- Pronouns also have gender and number distinctions.
Adjectives
- Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns.
- They agree in gender and number with the noun they describe.
- Adjectives can come before or after the noun in Pashto sentences.
Sentence Examples
By understanding the roles of nouns, pronouns, and adjectives in Pashto sentences, you will be able to accurately describe and express various ideas. Practice using these elements in sentences to further enhance your Pashto language skills.
Click, to open:
Noun as the Subject:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| کتاب ووړی. | The book is big. | Kitāb wūṛi. |
| د کور مچم. | I am at home. | Da kōr macham. |
| زما مچ ځلېدو. | My friend arrived. | Zama mach zheldo. |
| د پوهای دغه ديوا ده. | The birds are singing. | Da pōhāy daga dywā de. |
| هغه لوړې چرګ دی. | He has a long beard. | Haghay lōṛe charḡ dē. |
| چاپړ ډېره ده. | They have many sheep. | Chāprā ḍēra de. |
| دا ننګ پورې ده. | This ring is expensive. | Dā nang pōre dē. |
| لمړۍ چوپړ یوه ده. | A tall tree stands there. | Lamrē chōpṛ yawa dē. |
| د دوی په ګاډې وکړل شو. | The dishes were washed. | Da dōy pa gadē wakṛal shaw. |
| تاسو به د لاس کابلو ورکړئ. | Please pass me the Kabul map. | Tāsū ba da lās Kābulo warkṛa. |
Noun as the Object:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| زما خوا یې شاه ده. | My brother loves tea. | Zama khwā yē shāh dē. |
| موږ پیښه وژل. | We saw a snake. | Moṛa pēṣa wazhal. |
| د زړه بیا حمله کړی. | The sun rises early. | Da zarra byā hamla kṛi. |
| هغه کتاب خوښ کړئ. | Read that book. | Haghay kitāb khuṛ kṛa. |
| موږ پتړه وښلو. | We cooked food. | Moṛa paṭṛa wazhlo. |
| دا میوه نرمل دی. | This fruit is soft. | Dā mevah narmal dē. |
| زما له چوکو لوستل شو. | My keys were lost. | Zama lā chōkō lōstal shaw. |
| تاسو که څه یې یو؟ | Do you have something? | Tāsū ka ṭa yē yū? |
| د خپل بچې نوم نوی. | Name your child. | Da khpal bačē nōm nawai. |
| دا پکار دغه دی. | This work requires effort. | Dā pakār daga dē. |
Noun as the Possessive Element:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| زما کور ده. | It’s my house. | Zama kōr dē. |
| هذا والدي. | This is my father. | Hāḏā wāldē. |
| یو خپل نور دی. | You have your own light. | Yaw khpal nōr dē. |
| د زما دوکان په هغه لار دی. | It’s in my shop. | Da zama dukān pa haghay lār dē. |
| هغه زما ډیل دی. | It’s my car. | Haghay zama ḍēl dē. |
| دا زه ځواب پوه کړم. | I will find my answer. | Dā za ḏwāb pōh kṛam. |
| د دوی خپلې ځمکې لرو. | He left his friends. | Da dōy khpalē zamkē laraw. |
| تاسو به خپلې پلارې په خپله پکار کړئ. | Please do your work on time. | Tāsū ba khpalē plārē pa khpala pakār kṛa. |
| د هغه مکان خپل ده. | It’s my place. | Da haghay makān khpal dē. |
| زه دغه تصویر په خپلې پوشيدلو کیږي. | I will frame this picture myself. | Za daga taswīr pa khpalē pōshīdlo kegi. |
Subject Pronouns:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| زه به خوښ کوم. | I am happy. | Za ba khwakh kawum. |
| تاسو د کتاب ووړئ. | You read the book. | Tāsū da kitāb wūṛa. |
| هغه ورته راځی. | He is running. | Haghay warta rāzhi. |
| هغه پوهه وږی. | She is a teacher. | Haghay pōhā wazi. |
| موږ به څه کوي؟ | What are we doing? | Moṛa ba ṭa kawī? |
| تاسو به څه کوئ؟ | What are you doing? | Tāsū ba ṭa kawē? |
| هغه به څه کوئ؟ | What is he doing? | Haghay ba ṭa kawē? |
| هغه به څه کوئ؟ | What is she doing? | Haghay ba ṭa kawē? |
| موږ به څه کوئ؟ | What are they doing? | Moṛa ba ṭa kawē? |
| هغه به څه کوئ؟ | What is it doing? | Haghay ba ṭa kawē? |
Object Pronouns:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| زما به ورکوئ. | Help me. | Zama ba warkōē. |
| تاسو به کتاب ووړئ. | Read the book to you. | Tāsū ba kitāb wūṛa. |
| هغه به کتاب ووړئ. | Read the book to him. | Haghay ba kitāb wūṛa. |
| هغه به کتاب ووړئ. | Read the book to her. | Haghay ba kitāb wūṛa. |
| موږ به کتاب ووړئ. | Read the book to us. | Moṛa ba kitāb wūṛa. |
| تاسو به کتاب ووړئ. | Read the book to you. | Tāsū ba kitāb wūṛa. |
| هغه به کتاب ووړئ. | Read the book to them. | Haghay ba kitāb wūṛa. |
| زما ته ماته کړو. | Call me tomorrow. | Zama ta māta kṛaw. |
| تاسو ته ماته کړئ. | Call you tomorrow. | Tāsū ta māta kṛa. |
| موږ ته ماته کړو. | Call us tomorrow. | Moṛa ta māta kṛaw. |
Possessive Pronouns:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| دا زما دی. | This is mine. | Dā zama dē. |
| دا تاسو ده. | This is yours. | Dā tāsū dē. |
| دا هغه ده. | This is his. | Dā haghay dē. |
| دا هغه ده. | This is hers. | Dā haghay dē. |
| دا زموږ ده. | This is ours. | Dā zamōṛa dē. |
| دا تاسو ده. | This is yours. | Dā tāsū dē. |
| دا هغه ده. | This is theirs. | Dā haghay dē. |
| دا ته زما ده. | This is for me. | Dā ta zama dē. |
| دا ته تاسو ده. | This is for you. | Dā ta tāsū dē. |
| دا ته زموږ ده. | This is for us. | Dā ta zamōṛa dē. |
Reflexive Pronouns:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| زه خپلې پښې وکړم. | I wash myself. | Za khpalə paghə wəkəram. |
| تاسو خپلې پښې وکړئ. | You wash yourself. | Tāsū khpalə paghə wəkrə. |
| هغه خپلې پښې وکړې. | He washes himself. | Haghə khpalə paghə wəkəre. |
| هغه خپلې پښې وکړې. | She washes herself. | Haghə khpalə paghə wəkəre. |
| موږ خپلې پښې وکړو. | We wash ourselves. | Moṛə khpalə paghə wəkərə. |
| تاسو خپلې پښې وکړئ. | You wash yourself. | Tāsū khpalə paghə wəkrə. |
| هغه خپلې پښې وکړې. | They wash themselves. | Haghə khpalə paghə wəkəre. |
| زما ته خپلې پښې وکړو. | I wash myself. | Zəma ta khpalə paghə wəkərə. |
| تاسو ته خپلې پښې وکړئ. | You wash yourself. | Tāsū ta khpalə paghə wəkrə. |
| موږ ته خپلې پښې وکړو. | We wash ourselves. | Moṛə ta khpalə paghə wəkərə. |
Demonstrative Pronouns:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| دا یو څوک دی. | This is one book. | Dā yə ṭəsəwk dē. |
| دا دوه کتاب دی. | This is two books. | Dā dəwəh kitāb dē. |
| هغه یو کتاب دی. | He has one book. | Haghə yə kitāb dē. |
| هغه دوه کتابونه دی. | He has two books. | Haghə dəwəh kitābəna dē. |
| زه دا کتاب پوهېږم. | I read this book. | Za dā kitāb pōhēzham. |
| زه دوه کتاب پوهېږم. | I read two books. | Za dəwəh kitāb pōhēzham. |
| زه هغه کتاب پوهېږم. | I read that book. | Za haghə kitāb pōhēzham. |
| موږ دا څوک پوهېږنوی. | We read this book. | Moṛə dā ṭəsəwk pōhēznawī. |
| موږ دوه کتاب پوهېږنوی. | We read two books. | Moṛə dəwəh kitāb pōhēznawī. |
| موږ هغه کتاب پوهېږنوی. | We read that book. | Moṛə haghə kitāb pōhēznawī. |
Interrogative Pronouns:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| څه دی؟ | What is it? | Ṭəsə dē? |
| دغه څه دی؟ | What is this? | Dā ṭəsə dē? |
| دوه څه دی؟ | What are these? | Dəwəh ṭəsə dē? |
| څه وي؟ | What is that? | Ṭəsə wəy? |
| څه د پوهېږي؟ | What do you read? | Ṭəsə da pōhēzgi? |
| څه موږ پوهېږي؟ | What do we read? | Ṭəsə moṛə pōhēzgi? |
| څه هغه پوهېږي؟ | What does he read? | Ṭəsə haghə pōhēzgi? |
| څه هغه پوهېږي؟ | What does she read? | Ṭəsə haghə pōhēzgi? |
| څه موږ پوهېږي؟ | What do they read? | Ṭəsə moṛə pōhēzgi? |
| څه هغه پوهېږي؟ | What does it read? | Ṭəsə haghə pōhēzgi? |
Relative Pronouns:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| دا د کتاب څخه دی. | This is the book that. | Dā da kitāb ṭəkha dē. |
| دغه د کتابونو څخه دی. | This is the book that. | Dā da kitābəna ṭəkha dē. |
| هغه د کتاب څخه دی. | He has the book that. | Haghə da kitāb ṭəkha dē. |
| هغه د کتابونو څخه دی. | He has the books that. | Haghə da kitābəna ṭəkha dē. |
| زه دا کتاب پوهېږم. | I read the book that. | Za dā kitāb pōhēzham. |
| زه دوه کتاب پوهېږم. | I read the books that. | Za dəwəh kitāb pōhēzham. |
| زه هغه کتاب پوهېږم. | I read the book that. | Za haghə kitāb pōhēzham. |
| موږ دا څوک پوهېږنوی. | We read the book that. | Moṛə dā ṭəsəwk pōhēznawī. |
| موږ دوه کتاب پوهېږنوی. | We read the books that. | Moṛə dəwəh kitāb pōhēznawī. |
| موږ هغه کتاب پوهېږنوی. | We read the book that. | Moṛə haghə kitāb pōhēznawī. |
Indefinite Pronouns:
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| هغه هغه کتاب لري. | He has some books. | Haghə haghə kitāb lərə. |
| هغه هغه پښتون ژبه پوهېږي. | He speaks some Pashto. | Haghə haghə pashtu zabə pōhēzgi. |
| زه هغه مېنځ تاسې په کور کړو. | I saw some people at your home. | Za haghə mēnəṣ tāsē pa kor kəṛəw. |
| موږ هغه څوکونو ته لرو. | We went to some places. | Moṛə haghə ṭəsukəna ta lawrə. |
| دا هغه څوک دی. | This is a certain place. | Dā haghə ṭəsəwk dē. |
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|
| دا ښه کتاب دی. | This is a good book. | Dā khah kitāb dē. |
| دغه نرمل میوه ده. | This is a soft fruit. | Dā narmal mevah dē. |
| هغه ښايسته مرغه لري. | He has a beautiful bird. | Haghə khāystə murgha lərə. |
| زه وړانديز په ګلاب کړم. | I wear a colorful dress. | Za warandēz pa galāb kram. |
| زما تور ښه ده. | My grass is good. | Zama tōr khah dē. |
| موږ دغه پکې نوی. | We have a new car. | Moṛə dā pəka nəwī. |
| موږ هغه ننګې وروسته لرو. | We walked through a river. | Moṛə haghə nəngē warasta lawrə. |
| دا هغه سپېڅلۍ دی. | This is an expensive watch. | Dā haghə səpatalə dē. |
| دا سترګه ګوړې ده. | This is a heavy bag. | Dā satarəga gurē dē. |
| دا څوک ښه دی. | This is a nice place. | Dā ṭəsəwk khah dē. |
| هغه پیښې په لوړه لري. | He has a tall tree. | Haghə pēzhē pa lawṛə lərə. |
| هغه سپړنه تند دي. | He has a sharp knife. | Haghə sapraṇa tanda dē. |
| زه وړانديز بڼې لرم. | I have a beautiful house. | Za warandēz bəṇē laram. |
| زه له روښانو کښېږم. | I eat delicious food. | Za lə rawāshanu kəṛəzm. |
| زما میوه ښه ده. | My fruit is good. | Zama mevah khah dē. |
| موږ هغه کار وړاندې کوو. | We did a difficult task. | Moṛə haghə kār warandē kawo. |
| موږ یو روښانو کړي. | We cook one delicious dish. | Moṛə yū rawāshanu kəṛay. |
| دا زړه سپیڅلۍ ده. | This is a hot drink. | Dā zarra səpētalə dē. |
| دا هغه مچ ښه دی. | This is a good fish. | Dā haghə mach khah dē. |
| زما دیر ماشومان ده. | My children are late. | Zama dēr māšumān dē. |
| Example | English Translation | Explanation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| د هغه کتاب ووړی. | She reads a book. | Subject (هغه) + Verb (ووړی) + Object (کتاب) | Da hagha kitab woṛay. |
| زه د کور مچم. | I am at home. | Pronoun (زه) + Preposition (د) + Noun (کور) + Verb (مچم) | Za da kor macham. |
| هغه غواړې ډېره ده. | He has many friends. | Subject (هغه) + Verb (دې) + Adjective (ډېره) + Object (غواړې) | Haghay gwaṛe dera de. |
| تا دغه کتاب خوښ کړئ. | Please read this book. | Pronoun (تا) + Object (دغه کتاب) + Verb (خوښ کړئ) | Ta daḡa kitab khuṛḥ kṛa. |
| موږ څه کوو؟ | What did we eat? | Pronoun (موږ) + Question word (څه) + Verb (کوو) | Moṛa ṭa kawo? |
| آیا تاسو ته دېدنه شو؟ | Did you see it? | Question word (آیا) + Pronoun (تاسو) + Preposition (ته) + Verb (دېدنه شو) | Aya tasu ta dedna sho? |
| زه تاسو ته سوال لرم. | I have a question for you. | Pronoun (زه) + Pronoun (تاسو) + Preposition (ته) + Noun (سوال) + Verb (لرم) | Za tasu ta sawal laram. |
| دغه څوک کومه ده؟ | When is this happening? | Pronoun (دغه) + Noun (څوک) + Verb (کومه ده) | Daga ṭaṣawok koma de? |
| د ځمکې موږ به خوشحال شو. | We laughed happily. | Preposition (د) + Noun (ځمکې) + Pronoun (موږ) + Adverb (به) + Adjective (خوشحال) + Verb (شو) | Da zamke moṛa ba khushhal sho. |
| هغه زما لپاره دې. | It is for me. | Subject (هغه) + Pronoun (زما) + Noun (لپاره) + Verb (دې) | Haghay zama lapara de. |
| دغه میوه نرمل دی. | This fruit is soft. | Pronoun (دغه) + Noun (میوه) + Adjective (نرمل) + Verb (دی) | Daga mevah narmal de. |
| تاسو هغه ده؟ | Is that yours? | Pronoun (تاسو) + Pronoun (هغه) + Verb (ده) | Tasu haghay da? |
| د هغه تصویر ښه دی. | The picture is nice. | Preposition (د) + Noun (هغه تصویر) + Adjective (ښه) + Verb (دی) | Da haghay taswir khah de. |
| موږ د ننګو اړوند تېر شو. | We crossed the river by boat. | Pronoun (موږ) + Preposition (د) + Noun (ننګو) + Preposition (اړوند) + Verb (تېر شو) | Moṛa da nango aṛwand ter sho. |
| دا د افغانستان ښار ده. | This is a city in Afghanistan. | Pronoun (دا) + Preposition (د) + Noun (افغانستان) + Noun (ښار) + Verb (ده) | Da da afghanistan shar de. |
| زه به لاس ته راټولم. | I will call you later. | Pronoun (زه) + Adverb (به) + Noun (لاس) + Preposition (ته) + Verb (راټولم) | Za ba las ta raṭwolam. |
| Example Sentence | English Translation | Explanation | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| دا دوه میوه ده. | This is a pair of fruits. | Pronoun (دا) + Number (دوه) + Noun (میوه) + Verb (ده) | Da doa mevah de. |
| څه دا شو؟ | What is this? | Question Word (څه) + Pronoun (دا) + Verb (شو) | Ṭa da sho? |
| زه به د کتاب ته سترم. | I sent it to the book. | Pronoun (زه) + Preposition (به) + Noun (د کتاب) + Preposition (ته) + Verb (سترم) | Za ba da kitab ta satarum. |
| تاسو په هغه کتاب کتابي؟ | Are you reading that book? | Pronoun (تاسو) + Preposition (په) + Pronoun (هغه) + Noun (کتاب) + Verb (کتابي) | Tasu pه haghay kitab ktabi? |
| دا هغه خوشحال ده. | This is a happy occasion. | Pronoun (دا) + Pronoun (هغه) + Adjective (خوشحال) + Verb (ده) | Da haghay khushhal de. |
| زه به کتابونه کتابونه. | I am studying diligently. | Pronoun (زه) + Preposition (به) + Noun (کتابونه) + Verb (کتابونه) | Za ba kitabuna kitabuna. |
| موږ په پارکه تفریحوي. | We are having fun in the park. | Pronoun (موږ) + Preposition (په) + Noun (پارکه) + Verb (تفریحوي) | Moṛa pه parka tafrihiwi. |
| تاسو څه واورئ؟ | What do you think? | Pronoun (تاسو) + Question Word (څه) + Verb (واورئ) | Tasu ṭa wavara? |
| دا هغه ماشين ده. | This is a car. | Pronoun (دا) + Pronoun (هغه) + Noun (ماشين) + Verb (ده) | Da haghay mashin de. |
| زه به د ډکو په مکتوب کړم. | I wrote a letter with a pen. | Pronoun (زه) + Preposition (به) + Article (د) + Noun (ډکو) + Preposition (په) + Noun (مکتوب) + Verb (کړم) | Za ba daḍaku pه maktoob kram. |
To help you form sentences, we will introduce common sentence patterns used in Pashto. We will cover simple declarative sentences, questions, and imperative sentences, providing examples and explanations for each pattern.
1. Simple Declarative Sentences:
In simple declarative sentences, we make statements or express facts.
| Pattern | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Subject + Verb | زه مچم. | I eat. |
| Subject + Verb + Object | زه کتاب وړم. | I read a book. |
| Subject + Verb + Adjective | زه خوشحال یم. | I am happy. |
| Subject + Verb + Adverb | زه په ګلاب کړم. | I drink water. |
| Subject + Verb + Prepositional Phrase | زه مچم په کور کړم. | I eat at home. |
2. Questions:
Questions are used to seek information or clarification.
| Pattern | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Question Word + Verb + Subject | کومه مچئ؟ | What do you eat? |
| Verb + Subject | مچی؟ | Do you eat? |
| Question Word + Verb + Object | کومه کتاب وړئ؟ | What do you read? |
| Verb + Object | کتاب وړئ؟ | Do you read a book? |
| Question Word + Verb + Prepositional Phrase | کومه د کور څخه چلوئ؟ | Where do you go at home? |
3. Imperative Sentences:
Imperative sentences are used to give commands or make requests.
| Pattern | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | وړا. | Read. |
| Verb + Object | کتاب وړئ. | Read a book. |
| Verb + Adjective | خوشحال شئ. | Be happy. |
| Verb + Adverb | به ګلاب وړئ. | Drink water. |
| Verb + Prepositional Phrase | په کور کړئ. | Eat at home. |
These sentence patterns serve as a foundation for constructing sentences in Pashto.
Gender Distinctions
In Pashto, nouns and pronouns have gender distinctions, classified as masculine and feminine. Understanding gender distinctions is important for proper agreement with other elements in the sentence. Here are some key points to consider:
- Masculine Gender: Masculine nouns typically refer to male beings, objects, or concepts. They are often characterized by specific word endings or patterns. For example, nouns ending in ز (z), وړ (wṛ), د (d), or a stressed syllable are usually masculine. However, it’s important to note that not all nouns with these endings are masculine, and there may be exceptions.
- Feminine Gender: Feminine nouns usually refer to female beings, objects, or concepts. They often have distinct word endings or patterns that indicate their feminine gender. For example, nouns ending in ې (e), زې (ze), or ړې (ṛe) are commonly feminine. Similarly, certain suffixes like ومې (wme), يې (ye), or ښې (xhe) can indicate femininity. As with masculine nouns, there may be exceptions, so it’s essential to learn the gender of specific nouns.
Identifying the gender of a noun is crucial for proper agreement with other parts of speech, such as adjectives, pronouns, and verbs. Adjectives and pronouns used to describe or refer to nouns must agree in gender. Similarly, verbs used with nouns must be conjugated accordingly to match the gender of the subject.
Number (Singular and Plural)
Pashto nouns and pronouns also have number distinctions, indicating whether they are singular or plural. The rules for forming the plural in Pashto can vary depending on the noun class and gender. Here are some common patterns:
- Masculine Singular: Masculine singular nouns often have a basic form without any additional endings or modifications.
- Masculine Plural: To form the plural of masculine nouns, various suffixes or endings may be used, such as او (aw), يان (yan), or ونه (una). Additionally, some masculine nouns undergo vowel changes or other modifications in the plural form.
- Feminine Singular: Feminine singular nouns generally have a basic form without any specific endings or modifications.
- Feminine Plural: The plural of feminine nouns can be formed by adding suffixes like ونه (una), ې (e), or ګان (gan). Some feminine nouns may undergo vowel changes or other alterations in the plural form.
Understanding the gender and number distinctions in Pashto is essential for accurate agreement and proper sentence construction. Learning the specific rules, patterns, and exceptions associated with gender and number will help you build grammatically correct sentences and communicate effectively in Pashto.
Forming Questions and Answers
Asking questions and providing appropriate answers are vital for effective communication. We will focus on forming questions using question words, such as “why,” “where,” and “how.” We will also provide guidance on giving appropriate responses and clarifications.
By understanding the structure of Pashto sentences and mastering the usage of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and question formation, you will gain the skills to express yourself accurately and fluently.
Click, to open:
To form questions in Pashto, you can use question words at the beginning of the sentence to gather specific information. Here are some common question words and their usage:
| Question Word | Pashto | Example | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| څه (ṭa) | څه دی؟ (ṭa dai?) | What is this? | What is this? |
| دې (de) | دې څه دی؟ (de ṭa dai?) | When is this? | When is this? |
| کومه (koma) | کومه څه کو؟ (koma ṭa ko?) | How is this? | How is this? |
| لړ (lar) | لړ څه دی؟ (lar ṭa dai?) | Why is this? | Why is this? |
| لهره (lahra) | لهره څه دی؟ (lahra ṭa dai?) | Where is this? | Where is this? |
| د کوچني (da kuchni) | د کوچني څه دی؟ (da kuchni ṭa dai?) | How many is this? | How many is this? |
| څه مخه (ṭa makhha) | څه مخه ګڼه کو؟ (ṭa makhha gana ko?) | How much does it cost? | How much does it cost? |
Pashto Verbs and Conjugation
Verbs play a central role in expressing actions, states, and conditions in any language. In this section, we will explore Pashto verbs, their conjugation, and their usage in different tenses and forms.
We will start by providing an overview of Pashto verbs, explaining their importance and the different types of verbs you’ll encounter. Understanding the role of verbs in Pashto sentences will help you express yourself more effectively.
Regular and Irregular Verbs
We will delve into regular and irregular verbs in Pashto. Regular verbs follow predictable patterns for conjugation, while irregular verbs have unique conjugation forms. We will provide examples of both and guide you through their conjugation in different tenses.
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs in Pashto follow predictable patterns for conjugation. They can be categorized into different verb types based on the ending of their infinitive form. Each verb type has a specific set of rules for conjugation across different tenses, persons, and numbers.
Verb Type 1 (ending in -ل):
- Present Tense: The verb stem remains unchanged, and different suffixes are added based on the person and number.
- Past Tense: The verb stem undergoes changes based on vowel patterns, and suffixes are added.
- Future Tense: The verb stem is combined with auxiliary verbs to form the future tense.
Verb Type 2 (ending in -و):
- Present Tense: The verb stem remains unchanged, and different suffixes are added based on the person and number.
- Past Tense: The verb stem undergoes vowel changes, and suffixes are added.
- Future Tense: The verb stem is combined with auxiliary verbs to form the future tense.
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs in Pashto have unique conjugation forms that do not follow the regular patterns. These verbs may have irregularities in their stem, vowel changes, or completely different conjugation forms in different tenses. Here are a few examples of irregular verbs and their conjugation in different tenses:
داخل کول (dākhal kawal) – to enter
- Present Tense: داخل کوم (dākhal kawum), داخل کي (dākhal kai), داخل کوي (dākhal kawai), etc.
- Past Tense: داخل شوم (dākhal shawum), داخل شوی (dākhal shawi), داخل شوي (dākhal shawi), etc.
- Future Tense: داخله کښي (dākhla khaṣi), داخله کښې (dākhla khaṣe), داخله کښې (dākhla khaṣe), etc.
کویدل (kuwidal) – to come
- Present Tense: کويدم (kuwēdam), کويدی (kuwēdi), کويدی (kuwēdi), etc.
- Past Tense: کویدل (kuwidal), کويدلې (kuwidale), کويدلې (kuwidale), etc.
- Future Tense: کويدلوي (kuwidalawi), کويدلوي (kuwidalawi), کويدلوي (kuwidalawi), etc.
By understanding the distinctions between regular and irregular verbs in Pashto and mastering their conjugation patterns in different tenses, you will have a solid foundation for expressing yourself accurately and fluently in conversations.
Present Tense Conjugation
Mastering the present tense is essential for day-to-day conversations. We will cover the conjugation of regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, including both affirmative and negative forms. You will learn how to construct sentences using present tense verbs accurately.
Regular Verbs
Regular verbs in the present tense follow specific patterns based on the verb type. Here are the general conjugation rules for regular verbs:
Verb Type 1 (ending in -ل):
- Affirmative Form:
- Singular: The verb stem remains unchanged.
- Plural: The verb stem is followed by the suffix “-ي”.
- Negative Form:
- Singular: The verb stem is followed by the prefix “نا” and the suffix “-ي”.
- Plural: The verb stem is followed by the prefix “نا” and the suffix “-ئې”.
Verb Type 2 (ending in -و):
- Affirmative Form:
- Singular: The verb stem remains unchanged.
- Plural: The verb stem is followed by the suffix “-ي”.
- Negative Form:
- Singular: The verb stem is followed by the prefix “نه” and the suffix “-ي”.
- Plural: The verb stem is followed by the prefix “نه” and the suffix “-ئې”.
Irregular Verbs
Irregular verbs in the present tense have unique conjugation forms that may not follow the regular patterns. Here are a few examples of irregular verb conjugation in the present tense:
داخل کول (dākhal kawal) – to enter:
- Affirmative Form:
- Singular: داخل کوم (dākhal kawum)
- Plural: داخل کئي (dākhal kaī)
- Negative Form:
- Singular: نه داخل کوم (na dākhal kawum)
- Plural: نه داخل کئې (na dākhal kāīe)
کویدل (kuwidal) – to come:
- Affirmative Form:
- Singular: کويدم (kuwēdam)
- Plural: کويدي (kuwēdi)
- Negative Form:
- Singular: نه کويدم (na kuwēdam)
- Plural: نه کويديې (na kuwēdie)
By understanding the conjugation patterns for regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, you will be able to construct sentences accurately in day-to-day conversations. Practice with different verbs to familiarize yourself with the conjugation rules and expand your ability to express yourself in the present tense.
Past and Future Tenses
Expanding beyond the present tense, we will explore the conjugation of verbs in the past and future tenses. We will cover regular and irregular verbs, providing examples and explanations for each tense. Understanding past and future tense forms will allow you to express actions and events that occurred or will occur at different points in time.
Past Tense
- The Past Tense in Pashto is used to describe actions or events that have already happened.
- Regular Past Tense verbs follow a specific pattern of conjugation by adding the suffix “-و” (“-aw”) to the verb stem.
- Irregular Past Tense verbs have unique conjugation forms that do not follow the regular pattern.
- Pashto has different conjugation forms for masculine and feminine subjects in the Past Tense.
- The Past Tense can be used in affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms.
Future Tense
- The Future Tense in Pashto is used to describe actions or events that will happen in the future.
- Regular Future Tense verbs follow a specific pattern of conjugation by adding the prefix “می-” (“me-“) to the verb stem.
- Irregular Future Tense verbs have unique conjugation forms that do not follow the regular pattern.
- Pashto has different conjugation forms for masculine and feminine subjects in the Future Tense.
- The Future Tense can be used in affirmative, negative, and interrogative forms.
In both the Past and Future Tenses, the verb conjugation may vary based on the subject’s gender and number. It is important to understand the conjugation patterns and apply them accordingly to form accurate sentences in Pashto.
Common Verb Phrases and Idioms
In addition to conjugating verbs, learning common verb phrases and idiomatic expressions will enrich your Pashto language skills. We will introduce frequently used verb phrases and idioms, providing examples and explaining their meanings. This knowledge will enhance your ability to express yourself idiomatically in various situations.
By grasping the concepts of Pashto verbs, their conjugation patterns, and the usage of different tenses, you will be able to construct meaningful sentences, express actions accurately, and convey your thoughts and intentions effectively.
Verb Phrases
Verb phrases are combinations of verbs and other elements that convey specific meanings. Here are some commonly used Pashto verb phrases:
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| Verb Phrase | English Translation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| د ورځې ورکول | to go to work | to go to one’s workplace |
| کتل | to do | to perform an action |
| خوب تشریف دی | to be pleased | to be delighted or satisfied |
| ځان ته اړه وکول | to talk to someone | to have a conversation with someone |
| ستاسو راز تشریف دی | to keep a secret | to not reveal someone’s secret |
| سړی پیسې لاندې کول | to count money | to calculate or count money |
| مخ کول | to think | to engage in thoughts or reflection |
| مشکل په حال کول | to deal with a problem | to handle or address a difficult situation |
| کومکول | to sleep | to rest or sleep |
| سړی سړی دی | to become better | to improve gradually |
Idiomatic Expressions
Idiomatic expressions are phrases or sentences whose meanings cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of their individual words. Here are some common Pashto idiomatic expressions:
| Idiomatic Expression | English Translation | Meaning | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| زما چېستی ځمکې نشته | My heart is in my mouth | I am very nervous or anxious | Zama chestey zamkey nashta |
| یوازې غږوونکی چېستی نیسي | It’s not a piece of cake | It’s not easy or simple | Ywaze ghwaṛonkey chestey nesi |
| دړه لویې چېستی نیسي | It’s not a walk in the park | It’s not easy or simple | Daṛe lawey chestey nesi |
| زه پاڼې سېلمه نه کوم | I don’t have a green thumb | I’m not good at gardening | Za paṇey selama na koom |
| د روغیو څخه موږکې کوم | We’re in the same boat | We’re facing the same situation or challenge | Da roghyo tsakha moṛake koom |
| د ځینې لویې دې | To have butterflies in one’s stomach | To feel nervous or anxious | Da zheyney lowey de |
| چېستی په خپله ځانګړل شي | To be in seventh heaven | To be extremely happy or delighted | Chestey pa khapla zhangral shi |
| لویی تر وګړی نه کوم | I don’t have time | I’m busy or don’t have enough time | Lowey tar waghri na koom |
| د وخت په ځای کول | To kill time | To pass time or find something to do to occupy oneself | Da wakht pa zhai kawal |
| د زړه په پخته کول | To work hard | To put in a lot of effort or work diligently | Da zra pa pukhta kawal |
Learning these verb phrases and idiomatic expressions will greatly enrich your language skills and allow you to express yourself more effectively and naturally in Pashto. Practice using them in your conversations to enhance your fluency and cultural understanding.
Grammar Essentials
Understanding the grammar rules and structures of Pashto is essential for constructing accurate and meaningful sentences. In this section, we will explore important grammar concepts that will enhance your overall understanding and proficiency in the language.
Learn Pashto Noun Cases
Pashto uses noun cases to indicate the roles of nouns within a sentence. We will introduce the different noun cases and their usage, including the nominative, accusative, genitive, and dative cases. Clear examples will be provided to illustrate how nouns change based on their case.
Overview of the noun cases in Pashto:
| Noun Case | Function | Example | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | Marks the subject of a sentence | د کتاب وړه | Da kitab woṛay |
| Accusative | Marks the direct object of a verb | زه کتاب خرڅوم | Za kitab khurṭwam |
| Genitive | Indicates possession or relationship | د کتاب د پښتو | Da kitab da pukhto |
| Dative | Indicates the indirect object or recipient of an action | زه کتاب ته ورکوم | Za kitab ta warḵwam |
In the examples above, the noun “کتاب” (kitab) meaning “book” is used to demonstrate the different noun cases in Pashto. Pay attention to how the form of the noun changes depending on its case.
By understanding noun cases and their usage, you will be able to correctly identify and use nouns in different grammatical contexts. This knowledge is essential for constructing accurate and meaningful sentences in Pashto.
Let’s analyze each noun case in detail:
Nominative Case
- Function: The nominative case marks the subject of a sentence or the noun performing the action.
- Form: Nouns in the nominative case typically appear in their base form.
- Example: د کتاب وړه (Da kitab woṛay) – The book is big.
Accusative Case
- Function: The accusative case marks the direct object of a verb, indicating the noun that receives the action.
- Form: Nouns in the accusative case usually undergo changes in their form.
- Example: زه کتاب خرڅوم (Za kitab khurṭwam) – I read the book.
Genitive Case
- Function: The genitive case indicates possession or relationship, showing ownership or association with another noun.
- Form: Nouns in the genitive case typically add the particle د (da) before the noun they are associated with.
- Example: د کتاب د پښتو (Da kitab da pukhto) – The book of Pashto.
Dative Case
- Function: The dative case indicates the indirect object or recipient of an action, showing to whom or for whom something is done.
- Form: Nouns in the dative case may undergo changes in their form.
- Example: زه کتاب ته ورکوم (Za kitab ta warḵwam) – I gave the book to him/her.
Plural Forms
Learning how to form plurals in Pashto is crucial for discussing multiple objects or individuals. We will cover the different ways to form plurals for nouns, including regular and irregular patterns. We will also explore the agreement between plural nouns and other sentence components.
Regular Plurals
Many nouns in Pashto form their plurals by adding the suffix “-ې” or “-ان” to the singular form. The choice of suffix depends on the noun’s gender and vowel harmony rules. Regular plurals follow consistent patterns.
- Examples:
- کتاب (book) → کتابې (books)
- کوچه (street) → کوچې (streets)
- دګر (dog) → دګران (dogs)
Irregular Plurals
Some nouns in Pashto have irregular plural forms that do not follow a consistent pattern. These irregular plurals must be memorized as they do not have predictable rules.
- Examples:
- مرغ (bird) → مرغان (birds)
- مړ (tree) → مړې (trees)
- زړه (sun) → زړې (suns)
Dual Plurals
Pashto also has a special plural form known as the dual, which is used when referring to exactly two objects or individuals.
- Example:
- مورچه (cat) → مورچې (two cats)
Agreement with Plural Nouns
Verb Agreement
When a plural noun is the subject of a sentence, the verb that follows must agree with it in number. The verb form used with plural subjects is different from the one used with singular subjects.
- Example:
- د کتابې به ووړي. (The books are big.)
- د کتاب به ووړي. (The book is big.)
Adjective Agreement
Adjectives that describe plural nouns should also agree with them in number. The adjectives used with plural nouns have different endings compared to those used with singular nouns.
- Example:
- زړې مېچه (golden fish) → زړې مېچې (golden fishes)
- زړې کور (red house) → زړې کورې (red houses)
Pronoun Agreement
Pronouns also change according to the number of the noun they refer to. Different pronoun forms are used with singular and plural nouns.
- Example:
- زما کتابې ښه دي. (My books are good.)
- زما کتاب ښه ده. (My book is good.)
By understanding the different ways to form plural nouns in Pashto, including regular and irregular patterns, and the agreement between plural nouns and other sentence components such as verbs, adjectives, and pronouns, you will be able to discuss multiple objects or individuals accurately in your conversations and express yourself more effectively.
Gender Agreement
Pashto nouns have gender, and understanding gender agreement is important for grammatical accuracy. We will explore the masculine and feminine genders in Pashto, discuss noun gender agreement, and provide examples to clarify the concept.
Masculine Gender: Many nouns in Pashto are classified as masculine. These nouns typically refer to male beings, professions, and inanimate objects. Masculine nouns usually end in consonants or specific vowel patterns.
- Examples: مرد (man), کتاب (book), کور (house)
Feminine Gender: Some nouns in Pashto are classified as feminine. These nouns typically refer to female beings, professions, and inanimate objects. Feminine nouns often end in specific vowel patterns.
- Examples: زړه (sun), خوراک (food), مچ (fish)
Adjective Agreement: Adjectives used to describe nouns in Pashto need to agree with the gender of the noun. Adjectives have different forms for masculine and feminine nouns.
- Example:
- مرد ښه ده. (The man is good.)
- زړه ښه ده. (The sun is good.)
Pronoun Agreement: Pronouns in Pashto also need to agree with the gender of the noun they refer to. Different pronoun forms are used for masculine and feminine nouns.
- Example:
- دا مرغ ده. هغه خوبه ده. (This is a bird. It is beautiful.)
- دا زړه ده. هغه ښه ده. (This is a sun. It is good.)
Verb Agreement: In Pashto, the verb form used in sentences depends on the gender of the subject noun. Verbs agree with masculine and feminine nouns in gender.
- Example:
- مرد به راځي. (The man is walking.)
- زړه به راځي. (The sun is shining.)
By understanding the concept of gender agreement in Pashto and how it affects the agreement of adjectives, pronouns, and verbs with masculine and feminine nouns, you will be able to use proper grammatical structures and convey your ideas accurately in conversations.
Possessives and Demonstratives
Possessives and demonstratives are essential for indicating ownership and pointing to specific objects or individuals. We will cover the formation and usage of possessive pronouns and demonstratives in Pashto sentences, allowing you to express possession and demonstrate proximity.
Possessive Pronouns: Possessive pronouns in Pashto indicate ownership or possession. They are used to show who or what something belongs to. Possessive pronouns agree with the gender and number of the noun they modify.
- Examples: زما (my), تاسوئي (your), زوړه (his/her), موږئي (our), تاسوئي (your), دیږئي (their)
Demonstratives: Demonstratives in Pashto are used to point to specific objects or individuals and indicate their proximity. They can be used as pronouns or adjectives.
- Examples:
- Proximal: دا (this), دغه (this), دغه څه (this thing)
- Distal: هغه (that), دغه (that), دغه څه (that thing)
Possessive Pronouns: Possessive pronouns are formed by adding the appropriate suffixes to the base pronouns. The suffixes indicate possession and agree with the gender and number of the noun they modify.
- Example:
- زما کتاب (my book)
- زوړه کتاب (his/her book)
- موږئي کتابونه (our books)
Demonstratives: Demonstratives in Pashto agree with the gender and number of the noun they modify. They can be used as pronouns or adjectives to indicate proximity to the speaker or listener.
- Example:
- دا کتاب ښه ده. (This book is good.)
- دغه میوه خوښ دی. (This fruit is delicious.)
- هغه کتاب نرمل دی. (That book is soft.)
- دغه میوه خرابه دی. (That fruit is spoiled.)
By understanding the formation and usage of possessive pronouns and demonstratives in Pashto, you will be able to express ownership and demonstrate proximity accurately in your conversations.
Prepositions and Their Usage
Prepositions play a crucial role in indicating relationships between words and expressing location, time, and other important concepts. We will introduce common prepositions in Pashto, explain their usage, and provide examples of how they are used in sentences.
By understanding these important grammar essentials, including noun cases, plural forms, gender agreement, possessives, demonstratives, and prepositions, you will have a solid foundation in Pashto grammar, enabling you to construct accurate and meaningful sentences.
Definition: Prepositions are words that indicate relationships between nouns, pronouns, or other elements in a sentence. They express concepts such as location, direction, time, manner, and possession.
Common Prepositions: Pashto has a range of prepositions that are used in various contexts. Some common prepositions in Pashto include:
- د (to, at, in)
- له (from, of)
- په (on, with)
- نه (in, on)
- دغه (this)
- هغه (that)
- له دی (since)
- تر (than)
- مخکښ (between)
- وروسته (behind)
- مخکښی (among)
Usage and Examples:
Location: Prepositions are used to indicate location or position.
- Example: زما ځمکه په کور کښې دی. (I am at home.)
Direction: Prepositions are used to indicate direction or movement.
- Example: زه سوی کابل ته راپښم. (I am going to Kabul.)
Time: Prepositions are used to express time-related concepts.
- Example: زه هغه ساعتونو دی میږم. (I will meet him in two hours.)
Manner: Prepositions are used to describe the manner in which an action is performed.
- Example: زه له مهربانۍ سره مشورت کوم. (I discussed it with kindness.)
Possession: Prepositions are used to indicate possession.
- Example: د زما کتاب. (The book is mine.)
By understanding the usage of prepositions in Pashto, you will be able to convey precise meanings, describe relationships, and express various concepts effectively in your conversations.
Practice Exercises
Reinforcing your learning through practice is crucial for language acquisition. In this section, we will provide a variety of exercises and activities to help you practice and solidify your Pashto language skills.
Vocabulary Drills
We will offer vocabulary drills to strengthen your Pashto word bank. These exercises will include matching words with their meanings, filling in the blanks with appropriate vocabulary words, and engaging in word association activities.
Grammar Exercises
To reinforce your understanding of Pashto grammar, we will provide grammar exercises. These exercises will cover topics such as noun case usage, plural formation, verb conjugation, and sentence structure. They will help you apply grammar rules in practical contexts.
Conversation Practice
Engaging in conversation practice is vital for developing fluency. We will provide conversation prompts and dialogues for you to practice your speaking skills. These exercises will focus on various everyday situations, allowing you to apply your knowledge and engage in realistic conversations.
Appendix
The appendix provides additional resources and reference materials to further support your Pashto learning journey.
Verb Conjugation Tables
Pashto-English Glossary
We will include comprehensive verb conjugation tables for regular and common irregular verbs. These tables will serve as a quick reference guide for conjugating verbs in different tenses and forms.
The Pashto-English glossary will contain an extensive list of vocabulary words covered throughout the ebook. It will provide translations of Pashto words into English, allowing you to easily look up the meaning of specific words.
Common Expressions and Phrases
We will compile a collection of common expressions and phrases that are frequently used in Pashto conversations. These expressions will help you sound more natural and colloquial when engaging with native speakers.
