شب بخیر
shab ba khair
The English phrase "good night" is translated into Dari as شب بخیر (shab ba khair).
شب بخیر is used exclusively as a farewell when parting from someone at night or right before going to sleep.
Meaning: a farewell (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of shab (night) and ba khair (with goodness/well-being).
How do you pronounce it?
shab ba khair
When do people say it?
When someone says شب بخیر to you, the standard response is to repeat the same phrase back to them.
Did you know?
- The word for 'night' شب is an ancient relative of the Sanskrit word क्षप्, which both trace back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to sleep' or 'to be still'.
- While شب بخیر is the standard farewell, people often accompany it with a gentle nod or a hand placed over the heart to convey sincerity and warmth.
- In poetic Dari literature, شب is often used as a metaphor for darkness or sorrow, making the wish for a 'good night' a wish for peace and safety from hardship.
Examples in context
- شب بخیر.Good night.This sentence shows how to use the phrase شب بخیر.Tatoeba #13496449 by Adelpa, translation #2362724 by NotApplicable
- شب بخیر، عزیزم.shab bakhayr, azizam.Good night, my dear.
- خوابهای خوب ببینی، شب بخیر.khwabhay bakhub bebini, shab bakhayr.Sweet dreams, good night.
Example conversation
Hussein and Sara are saying goodbye before going to sleep.
- حسین Husseinخیلی خسته هستم، شب بخیر سارا.khayli khasta hastam, shab bakhayr Sara.I am very tired, good night Sara.
- سارا Saraباشه حسین، شب بخیر.basha Husayn, shab bakhayr.Okay Husayn, good night.
- حسین Husseinفردا صبح زود بیدار شو.farda sobh zod bedar sho.Wake up early tomorrow morning.
- سارا Saraحتماً، شب بخیر.hatman, shab bakhayr.Certainly, good night.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries شب, شب بخیر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
