معاف کیجئے
maaf kijiye
The English word "sorry" can be expressed in Urdu as معاف کیجئے (maaf kijiye).
معاف کیجئے is used to express regret or sorrow. While it is used to apologize, it functions literally as a request for the listener to grant forgiveness.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word معاف means "forgiven" or "pardon".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the request for forgiveness sound even more polite and soft, you can add the particle گا to the end, resulting in معاف کیجیے گا which means "please forgive me".
How do you pronounce it?
maaf kijiye
Did you know?
- The root of معاف comes from the Arabic word عَافَى, which originally relates to health and wellness. To ask for forgiveness is linguistically linked to wishing someone well-being.
- In many Urdu-speaking cultures, a sincere apology is often accompanied by placing the right hand over the heart. This gesture emphasizes that the regret is felt deeply within the chest.
- The word معاف is a shared linguistic traveler, appearing in Persian and Arabic as well, meaning it is understood across many different Muslim-majority cultures.
Examples in context
- معاف کیجئے، میں دیر سے آیا۔ma'af kijiye, main der se aya.Sorry, I arrived late.
- میری غلطی کے لیے معاف کیجئے گا۔meri ghalti ke liye ma'af kijiye ga.Please forgive me for my mistake.
Example conversation
Ahmed accidentally spills water on Fatima's book.
- احمد Ahmedاوہ! آپ کی کتاب گیلی ہو گئی، معاف کیجئےOh! Aap ki kitab geeli ho gayi, maaf kijye.Oh! Your book got wet, I'm sorry.
- فاطمہ Fatimaکوئی بات نہیں احمد، یہ ٹھیک ہو جائے گا۔Koi baat nahi Ahmed, yeh theek ho jaye ga.It's okay Ahmed, it will be fine.
- احمد Ahmedمیں اسے صاف کرنے میں آپ کی مدد کرتا ہوں۔Mein isay saaf karne mein aap ki madad karta hoon.I will help you clean it.
- فاطمہ Fatimaشکریہ، لیکن اب فکر نہ کریں۔Shukriya, lekin ab fikr na karein.Thank you, but don't worry now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries معاف, CC BY-SA 4.0.
