تحفہ
tohfa
The English word 'present' is translated into Urdu as تحفہ (tohfa).
In contemporary, informal Urdu conversations, speakers may also use the adapted English word پریزنٹ to refer to a present.
Meaning: to put (something) forward in order for it to be seen, to show, exhibit (verb)
Which one should you use?
The word پریزنٹ is an adaptation of the English word used in casual speech. For a formal context involving an offering or a presentation, the word پیشکش is used instead.
How do you pronounce it?
tohfa
Did you know?
- In South Asian culture, it is a common custom to politely decline a تحفہ once or twice before finally accepting it to show modesty.
- In highly formal Urdu, a gift given to a superior or a royal figure is often referred to as نذرانہ, which implies an offering of respect rather than a peer-to-peer تحفہ.
- The word تحفہ is a 'loanword' that traveled from Arabic into Persian and finally into Urdu, making it a linguistic traveler through three major civilizations.
Examples in context
- تحفہ دینے کا بہت شکریہ۔Thank you for your present.This sentence shows how to express gratitude for a تحفہ.Tatoeba #1465684 by nabeel_tahir, translation #34097 by CK
- ٹوم کے لیے تحفہ ہے، ہےنا؟It's a present for Tom, isn't it?This sentence is useful for identifying the recipient of a تحفہ.Tatoeba #10823937 by Roomba_Unit, translation #7563134 by Hybrid
- میں آپ کو ایک خاص تحفہ دینا چاہتا ہوں۔I want to give you a special present.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmed and Zainab are at a party.
- احمد Ahmedزینب، یہ آپ کے لیے ایک چھوٹا سا تحفہ ہے۔Zainab, yeh aap ke liye ek chota sa tuhfa hai.Zainab, this is a small present for you.
- زینب Zainabاوہ، احمد! آپ کا بہت بہت شکریہ۔Oh, Ahmed! Aap ka bohat bohat shukriya.Oh, Ahmed! Thank you very much.
- احمد Ahmedامید ہے کہ آپ کو یہ تحفہ پسند آئے گا۔Umeed hai ke aap ko yeh tuhfa pasand aaye ga.I hope you will like this present.
- زینب Zainabمیں اسے ابھی کھول کر دیکھتی ہوں۔Main isay abhi khol kar dekhti hoon.I will open it and look right now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
