زما ژوند
zma zhwand
The English phrase "meri jaan" translates to Pashto as زما ژوند (zma zhwand).
زما ژوند is a term of endearment used to address someone loved, literally meaning 'my life'.
How do you pronounce it?
zma zhwand
Did you know?
- The word ژوند is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *gʷeyh₃-, which is the same ancient root that produced the English word 'quick' when it meant 'alive'.
- In urban centers, the choice between the pure Pashto زما ژوند and the Urdu meri jaan can sometimes signal the speaker's social background or level of education.
- Because of the immense influence of Urdu-language media, many Pashto speakers actually use the borrowed phrase 'meri jaan' instead of the native Pashto version in urban settings.
Examples in context
- ته زما ژوند یې.ta zama jwand ye.You are my life.
Example conversation
A couple is talking at home.
- خان Khanمریم، زما ژوند، ته ډیره ښکلې یې.Maryam, zama zhwand, ta dera shkuli ye.Maryam, my life, you are very beautiful.
- مریم Maryamمننه، خان! ته هم ډیر مهربانه یې.Manana, Khan! Ta ham der mehrabana ye.Thank you, Khan! You are very kind too.
- خان Khanزما ژوند، زه تل ستا سره یم.Zama zhwand, za tal sata sara yam.My life, I am always with you.
- مریم Maryamزه هم تاته ډیره مینه لرم.Za ham tata dera mina laram.I love you very much too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ژوند, CC BY-SA 4.0.
