بہت اچھا
bohat achha/bə.ɦoːt̪ ət̪.t͡ʃʰɑː/word by word
The English phrase "very good" is translated into Urdu as بہت اچھا (bohat achha).
بہت اچھا is an expression used to describe something of high quality or to show approval.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase بہت اچھا, the word بہت (bohat) means "very" and اچھا (achha) means "good".
Which one should you use?
While بہت اچھا is the standard form, you can use واقعی نہایت اچھا to say "truly very good" when you want to add extra emphasis. For a more casual tone, کافی اچھا can be used to mean "quite good" or "pretty good".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase changes depending on the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use بہت اچھی if the noun is feminine. Use بہت اچھے if you are describing multiple masculine items or if you are using a respectful plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase is pronounced bohat achha (/bə.ɦoːt̪ ət̪.tʃʰɑː/). It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- By simply changing the intonation to a rising tone, the phrase اچھا can shift from meaning 'good' to expressing skepticism or asking 'really?'
- The word بہت shares a common ancestor with the English word 'thick', originating from the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰenǵʰ-.
- The word اچھا is used not just to mean 'good', but in many South Asian contexts as a filler word similar to 'okay' or 'I see' to show one is listening.
Examples in context
- Bohat acha lag raha hai. (بہت اچھا لگ رہا ہے)I feel very good.
- Bahut khoob! Aapne buhat acha kam kiya hai. (بہت خوب! آپ نے بہت اچھا کام کیا ہے)Very good! You have done a great job!
- Kafi acha lag raha hai yaar! (کافی اچھا لگ رہا ہے یار)It's looking pretty good, buddy!
- یہ کھانا بہت اچھا ہے۔Yeh khana bohat acha hai.This food is very good.
- آپ کا کام بہت اچھا ہے۔Aap ka kaam bohat acha hai.Your work is very good.
- آج کا موسم بہت اچھا ہے۔Aaj ka mausam bohat acha hai.The weather is very good today.
Example conversation
Ahmed shows Fatima a painting he made.
- احمد Ahmedفاطمہ، میری پینٹنگ دیکھیں۔Fatima, meri painting dekhein.Fatima, look at my painting.
- فاطمہ Fatimaیہ تو بہت اچھا ہے، احمد!Yeh to bohat acha hai, Ahmed!This is very good, Ahmed!
- احمد Ahmedشکریہ، مجھے خوشی ہے کہ آپ کو پسند آیا۔Shukriya, mujhe khushi hai ke aap ko pasand aaya.Thank you, I am glad you liked it.
- فاطمہ Fatimaآپ واقعی ایک فنکار ہیں۔Aap waqai ek fankar hain.You are truly an artist.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (بہت, اچھا) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries اچھا, بہت, CC BY-SA 4.0.
