رہنے دو
rehne do
The English phrase 'leave it' can be translated into Urdu as رہنے دو (rehne do).
رہنے دو is used to tell someone to stop doing something or to let a situation remain as it is. It is a common way to dismiss a topic of conversation or to tell someone to stop bothering with a particular task.
Which one should you use?
While رہنے دو means 'let it be' (leaving a situation as it is), چھوڑ دو is used when you want someone to physically release or abandon an object or a person.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Karachi, people often use the colloquial expression Chhorr bhai to say 'leave it'.
How do you pronounce it?
rehne do
Did you know?
- The word دو in this phrase is the same word used for the number 'two' in many Indo-Aryan languages, though its meaning here is the imperative form of 'to give'.
- The verb in رہنے دو comes from the root 'rahna', which means 'to stay' or 'to remain'. In a sense, you are literally telling the situation to 'stay' or 'remain' exactly as it is.
- In Urdu, the phrase رہنے دو can be used to politely decline an offer of help. It signals that the speaker is satisfied with the current state of things and does not require further intervention.
Examples in context
- اسے رہنے دو، میں خود کر لوں گا۔Isay rehnay do, mein khud kar loon ga.Leave it, I will do it myself.
- اب بات کو رہنے دو۔Ab baat ko rehnay do.Leave the matter as it is now.
- غصہ چھوڑو اور اسے رہنے دو۔Ghussa chhoro aur isay rehnay do.Forget the anger and leave it.
Example conversation
Ali and Aisha are arguing about a broken vase.
- علی Aliمیں اسے ٹھیک کرنے کی کوشش کرتا ہوں۔Mein isay theek karne ki koshish karta hoon.I will try to fix it.
- عائشہ Ayeshaنہیں، اب اسے رہنے دو۔Nahi, ab isay rehne do.No, leave it be now.
- علی Aliلیکن یہ بہت قیمتی تھا۔Lekin yeh bohat qeemti tha.But it was very expensive.
- عائشہ Ayeshaپھر بھی اسے رہنے دو، علی۔Phir bhi isay rehne do, Ali.Still, leave it, Ali.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries دو, CC BY-SA 4.0.
