ستا عمر څومره دی؟
sta umr tsomra de?
The English phrase "how old are you?" is translated into Pashto as ستا عمر څومره دی؟ (sta umr tsomra de?).
This phrase is used to ask someone about their age.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of sta (your), umr (age), tsomra (how much) and de (is).
How does it change in a sentence?
To change the meaning from asking someone's age to stating your own, replace the possessive sta (your) with zama (my) to say زما عمر … دی (My age is …).
How do you pronounce it?
sta umr tsomra de?
Did you know?
- In rural Pashto speaking areas, people may not answer ستا عمر څومره دی؟ with a number, but instead describe their birth year by referencing a specific harvest or a major historical event.
- The word عمر is shared with Arabic and is also a common male given name. Because of this, the phrase can literally be read as 'How much is your Omar?', though the context always clarifies the meaning.
- The word umr in this phrase is actually a loanword from Arabic, meaning 'life' or 'lifespan' rather than just a numerical age.
Examples in context
- بخښنه غواړم، ستا عمر څومره دی؟bakhshana ghwaram, sta umar tsomra de?Excuse me, how old are you?
- که زه پوښتنه وکړم، ستا عمر څومره دی؟ke za poshtana wukram, sta umar tsomra de?If I may ask, how old are you?
Example conversation
Two people are meeting for the first time at a community event.
- زركولہ Zarkolaسلام، زما نوم زركولہ ده. ستا عمر څومره دی؟Salam, zama num Zarkola da. Sata umar tsomra day?Hello, my name is Zarkola. How old are you?
- خان Khanسلام زركولہ، زه دوېندل کاله یم.Salam Zarkola, ze dwandzal kala yam.Hello Zarkola, I am twenty-two years old.
- زركولہ Zarkolaډېره ښه، زه هم داسې یم.Dera kha, ze ham dase yam.Very good, I am the same.
- خان Khanدا ډېره خوشاله کوونکې خبره ده.Da dera khoshala kawunke khabara da.That is very happy news.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries عمر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
