مهرباني وکړئ
The Pashto word for 'please' can be expressed in several ways, most commonly as مهرباني وکړئ. Wiktionary also lists مهرباني (mehrabāní) and لطفا (lotfan).
Meaning: interjection to make a polite request (intj)
Ways to say it
| Pashto | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| مهرباني وکړئ | |
| مهرباني | mehrabāní |
| لطفا | lotfan |
While the noun مهرباني means 'kindness' or 'favor', using this single word without a verb is often insufficient to form a polite request and may sound incomplete.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase مهرباني وکړئ is a verb-based construction where the second part, وکړئ, is the imperative form of 'to do'.
Which one should you use?
The phrase مهرباني وکړئ is more idiomatic and common in spoken Pashto than the loanword لطفا.
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression مهرباني وکړئ functions as 'please (do a kindness)' by combining a noun with the imperative verb 'to do'.
Did you know?
- Pashto often expresses politeness through honorifics and indirectness rather than a single word for 'please'. Using the wrong social register can make مهرباني وکړئ feel insufficient.
- The word مهرباني shares a root with the Persian word for 'kindness'. This reflects the deep historical and linguistic exchange between Pashto and the Persian language.
- In many Pashto-speaking regions, the level of politeness can be adjusted by changing the verb form of 'to do' used in the phrase.
Example sentences for Pashto are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Zalmay is asking Zarkola for a glass of water.
- زلمای Zalmayزركولہ، مهرباني وکړئ ماته اوبه راکړئ.Zarkola, mehrabani kukray mata oba rakray.Zarkola, please give me some water.
- زركولہ Zarkolaهو، زه به یې اوس درکړم.Ho, za ba ye os darkram.Yes, I will give it to you now.
- زلمای Zalmayډېره مننه له تاسو.Dera manana la taso.Thank you very much.
- زركولہ Zarkolaهرکلی، زلمی.Harkali, Zalmay.You are welcome, Zalmay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
