څنګه يې؟
sanga ye?
In Pashto, "how are you?" is said as څنګه يې؟ (sanga ye?).
This phrase is a common greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or state of health.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of څنګه (sanga), which means "how" and يې (ye), which is the second-person singular form of the verb "to be".
Which one should you use?
Use څنګه يې؟ (sanga ye?) when addressing one person.
How do you pronounce it?
sanga ye?
Did you know?
- In Pashto culture, څنګه يې؟ is often the start of a long sequence of reciprocal inquiries. It is customary to ask about the person's health, family, guests and work before the actual purpose of the conversation begins.
- In many Pashto-speaking regions, instead of answering 'I am fine', people reply with شکر دی (shukr de), meaning 'thanks be to God'.
- When using څنګه يې؟ in a formal setting, using the singular form can be perceived as an intentional insult to the person's status.
Examples in context
- څنګه يې؟tsanga ye?How are you?
Example conversation
Two acquaintances meet on the street.
- زركولہ Zarkolaسلام عمر، څنګه يې؟Salam Omar, senga ye?Hello Omar, how are you?
- عمر Omarزه ښه يم، مننه. ته څنګه يې؟Ze kha yam, manana. Te senga ye?I am fine, thank you. How are you?
- زركولہ Zarkolaزه هم ښه يمه.Ze ham kha yama.I am also fine.
- عمر Omarډېره مننه، زركولہ.Dera manana, Zarkola.Thank you very much, Zarkola.
