سفر بخیر
safar ba-khair
The English phrase "safe travels" is translated into Urdu as سفر بخیر (safar ba-khair).
سفر بخیر is used as a parting wish when someone is about to depart on a journey.
Meaning: bon voyage (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of سفر (travel/journey) and بخیر (with goodness or well-being).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This expression is polite and suitable for both formal and semi-formal social settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
سفر بخیر functions as a fixed idiomatic expression and does not change its form based on the gender or number of the person traveling.
How do you pronounce it?
safar ba-khair
Did you know?
- The word سفر in 'safar ba-khair' shares a common ancestor with the English word 'safari'.
- In many South Asian cultures, when someone says 'safar ba-khair', it is common to respond with a prayer or a wish for their return rather than just 'thank you'.
- While 'safar ba-khair' is a standard wish, a more religious or traditional alternative is to say 'Allah hafiz', which literally means 'May God be your protector'.
Examples in context
- آپ کا سفر بخیر۔aap ka safar bakhair.Have a safe travel.
- خدا حافظ، سفر بخیر۔Khuda hafiz, safar bakhair.Goodbye, safe travels.
Example conversation
Hamza is seeing Zainab off at the airport before her flight.
- حمزہ Hamzaزینب، اپنا خیال رکھنا۔Zainab, apna khayal rakhna.Zainab, take care of yourself.
- زینب Zainabشکریہ حمزہ، میں جلد ملوں گی۔Shukriya Hamza, mein jald milungi.Thank you Hamza, I will meet you soon.
- حمزہ Hamzaٹھیک ہے، سفر بخیر۔Theek hai, safar bakhair.Alright, safe travels.
- زینب Zainabخدا حافظ۔Khuda hafiz.Goodbye.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سفر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
