احمق
ahmaq
The English word 'idiot' is translated to Pashto as احمق (ahmaq).
The term احمق refers to a person of low general intelligence. In informal contexts, you may encounter other descriptors for similar behaviors: Jahil is used to describe someone as ignorant or foolish, while Paghal is used to describe someone as crazy or mentally unstable.
Meaning: person of low general intelligence (noun)
Which one should you use?
While احمق is the standard term for an idiot, it is distinct from Jahil, which focuses on ignorance or foolishness and Paghal, which focuses on being mentally unstable.
How do you pronounce it?
ahmaq
Did you know?
- The word احمق is a loanword from Arabic, reflecting the deep historical influence of Islamic scholarship and jurisprudence on the Pashto vocabulary.
- While احمق refers to intelligence, the closely related term Jahil is often a more devastating blow because it suggests the person lacks 'Adab' or proper upbringing.
- Depending on the tone of voice, احمق can be used as a gentle tease in family settings, but when said with a flat or harsh tone, it becomes a strong social rejection.
Examples in context
- هغه یو احمق دی.hagha yo ahmak day.He is an idiot.
- هغه احمق نه دی.hagha ahmak na day.He is not an idiot.
Example conversation
Maryam and Ahmed are discussing a silly mistake a friend made.
- مریم Maryamاحمد، هغه ډېر غلطۍ کوي.Ahmed, hagha der ghalati kawi.Ahmed, he makes too many mistakes.
- احمد Ahmedهو، هغه واقعاً یو احمق دی.Ho, hagha waqaan yaw ahmaq day.Yes, he really is an idiot.
- مریم Maryamخو هغه ډېر مهربانه دی.Kho hagha der mehrabana day.But he is very kind.
- احمد Ahmedدا رښتیا ده.Da rishtya da.That is true.
