ماشوم
māšúmmasculine
The English word "baby" can be translated into Pashto as ماشوم (māšúm). Wiktionary also lists مورروى (morrᶕway) and شيرخوره (širxóra).
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pashto | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ماشوم | māšúm | masculine |
| مورروى | morrᶕway | masculine |
| شيرخوره | širxóra | feminine, masculine |
| کوکی | kokáy | feminine, masculine |
The term refers to a very young human being. کوکی is a colloquial, affectionate term used to refer to a baby or a small child.
Which one should you use?
ماشوم and مورروى are masculine forms, whereas شيرخوره and کوکی can be used for both masculine and feminine subjects.
How does it change in a sentence?
ماشوم and مورروى are masculine nouns. شيرخوره and کوکی can be used for both masculine and feminine babies.
How do you pronounce it?
māšúm
Did you know?
- When naming or referring to a baby, Pashtun parents may use intentionally 'ugly' nicknames to contradict the child's actual cuteness. This practice is believed to protect the infant from the 'evil eye'.
- Beyond infancy, the word ماشوم is used metaphorically to describe an adult who is naive or youthful in spirit.
- The word شيرخوره literally references the baby's relationship to 'milk' and nursing, highlighting the biological stage of infancy over general age.
Examples in context
- دا یو کوچنی ماشوم دی.da yo kuchini mashoom day.This is a small baby.
- ماشوم په کټ کې دی.mashoom pa kat ke day.The baby is in the crib.
Example conversation
Zala and Omar are looking at a photograph.
- زالا Zalaدا ستاسو ماشوم دی؟da staso mashoom day?Is this your baby?
- عمر Omarهو، دا زما ماشوم دی.ho, da zama mashoom day.Yes, this is my baby.
- زالا Zalaماشوم ډېر ښکلی دی.mashoom der khkuli day.The baby is very beautiful.
- عمر Omarمننه، زالا.manana, Zala.Thank you, Zala.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
