ښه کار
shah kar
The phrase "good job" in Pashto is ښه کار (shah kar).
ښه کار is used to praise someone for their efforts or for a task they have performed well.
Meaning: a phrase used to praise for a good job or efforts (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective ښه (good) and the noun کار (work, job or deed).
How do you pronounce it?
shah kar
Did you know?
- In many Pashtun social contexts, praise is often expressed through prayers rather than just adjectives, such as saying الله دې ملฺګی (may God make you a friend/companion) to reward a kind deed.
- While ښه کار is the direct translation, Pashtuns often use the word شاباش (shabash) as a more emotive exclamation for 'well done', which is borrowed from Turkic languages.
- Depending on the dialect spoken in Afghanistan versus Pakistan, the pronunciation of the first letter in ښه can shift between a 'sh' sound and a 'kh' sound.
Example conversation
A teacher is praising a student for her artwork.
- زلمای Zalmayمریم، دا یو ښه کار دی.Maryam, da yo kha kaar dai.Maryam, this is a good job.
- مریم Maryamمننه، زلمای صاحب.Manana, Zalmai sahib.Thank you, Mr. Zalmai.
- زلمای Zalmayډېر ښه کار و.Der kha kaar vo.It was a very good job.
- مریم Maryamډېره مننه.Dera manana.Thank you very much.
