عصر بخیر
asr bakhair
عصر بخیر (asr bakhair) is the Dari way to say good afternoon.
عصر بخیر is a greeting specifically used during the afternoon hours, typically from midday until sunset.
Meaning: greeting said in the afternoon (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the word for 'afternoon' (asr) and the word for 'good/well' (bakhair).
How do you pronounce it?
asr bakhair
Did you know?
- Because the word عصر is derived from the Arabic عَصْر, it shares a root with the concept of 'squeezing' or 'pressing', much like squeezing fruit for juice.
- In Afghan culture, a greeting like asr bakhair is often accompanied by placing the right hand over the heart as a sign of respect and sincerity.
- The timing for asr bakhair shifts slightly throughout the year because it is tied to the position of the sun rather than a strict clock time.
Examples in context
- روزبخیرGood afternoon!
- روزبخیر. چطورید؟Good afternoon. How are you?
- عصر بخیر، چطور هستید؟Asr bakhayr, chotor hastid?Good afternoon, how are you?
- عصر بخیر، استاد عزیز.Asr bakhayr, ostad-e aziz.Good afternoon, dear teacher.
- عصر بخیر، دوستان!Asr bakhayr, dostan!Good afternoon, friends!
Example conversation
Husain and Sara meet at a cafe in the afternoon.
- حسین Husseinسارا، عصر بخیر!Sara, asr bakhair!Sara, good afternoon!
- سارا Saraعصر بخیر حسین، خوش آمدین.Asr bakhair Husain, khosh amadin.Good afternoon Husain, welcome.
- حسین Husseinتشکر، حال شما چطور است؟Tashakur, hal-e shuma chotor ast?Thank you, how are you doing?
- سارا Saraمن خوب هستم، تشکر.Man khob hastum, tashakur.I am good, thank you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries عصر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
