هلک
halək/haˈlək/masculine
The Pashto word for boy is هلک (halək). Wiktionary also lists ووړکی (woṛkai).
Meaning: male child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pashto | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| هلک | halək | /haˈlək/ /əlˈək/ |
masculine |
| ووړکی | woṛkai | /ˈwoɺ̢kai/ | masculine |
The term refers to a male child.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say boys, use the plural form هلکوی (haləkay).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is halək and the IPA is /haˈlək/.
Did you know?
- In certain Pashto-speaking tribal contexts, using the word هلک to address an older male can be seen as a direct challenge to his authority or social standing. It is not just a comment on maturity, but a potential social transgression.
- Pashto is an Eastern Iranian language, meaning هلک shares very distant ancestral roots with words in languages like Persian and Kurdish.
- In some regions, calling a man هلک can actually be an insult, implying he is behaving in an immature or childish manner.
Examples in context
- هغه یو ښه هلک دی.haghā yo kha halak day.He is a good boy.
- دا هلک ډېر تکړه دی.dā halak der takra day.This boy is very smart.
- هلک په میدان کې لوبې کوي.halak pa maydan ke lobay kawi.The boy is playing in the field.
Example conversation
Zala and Ahmad are talking about a child at a park.
- زالا Zalaاحمد، دا هلک څوک دی؟Ahmad, dā halak tsok day?Ahmad, who is this boy?
- احمد Ahmedهغه زما زوی دی.haghā zamā zoy day.He is my son.
- زالا Zalaهغه ډېر ښکلی هلک دی.haghā der khaklay halak day.He is a very handsome boy.
- احمد Ahmedمننه، زالا.mannana, Zala.Thank you, Zala.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boy” translations and entries هلک, ووړکی, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
