سلام
salām
The Pashto word for "hi" is سلام (salām).
سلام is the standard way to say "hi" or "hello" in Pashto.
Meaning: friendly, informal greeting (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word سلام literally means "peace".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
سلام is a versatile greeting that is appropriate to use in both formal and informal settings. For a more formal version of a greeting, you may use the phrase "Salam alaikum", which translates to "peace be upon you".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kandahar dialect, the phrase Sanga ye? is a common greeting meaning "how are you?"
How do you pronounce it?
salām
Did you know?
- While سلام is the standard greeting, Pashtuns may use the phrase ستړې مشې ('may you not be tired') as a greeting to acknowledge someone's hard work.
- The greeting سلام is part of a wider culture of 'Pashtunwali', an unwritten ethical code that dictates how much warmth and hospitality should be shown to a stranger upon meeting.
- In many Pashto-speaking households, the greeting is often accompanied by placing the right hand over the heart to show sincerity.
Examples in context
- سلام، څنګه یې؟Salam, sanga ye?Hi, how are you?
- سلام، ته څنګه یې؟Salam, ta sanga ye?Hi, how are you doing?
- سلام، ښه راغلی.Salam, kha raghlay.Hi, welcome.
Example conversation
Ahmad sees Maryam walking in a garden.
- احمد Ahmedسلام، مریم.Salam, Maryam.Hi, Maryam.
- مریم Maryamسلام، احمد.Salam, Ahmad.Hi, Ahmad.
- احمد Ahmedڅنګه یې؟Sanga ye?How are you?
- مریم Maryamزه ښه یم، مننه.Ze kha yam, manana.I am well, thanks.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hi” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
