সাবাশ
shabash
To say well done in Bengali, use সাবাশ (shabash), a short exclamation of praise.
সাবাশ is said on its own to praise someone right after they have done something well.
Meaning: exclamation of praise (intj)
Which one should you use?
For fuller praise you can use a sentence instead. খুব সুন্দর করেছো means you have done it very beautifully, and ওহ! তুমি খুব ভালো করেছো means wow, you have done really well.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced shabash.
Did you know?
- While সাবাশ is a general term for 'well done', Bengali has a specific culture of praising children by calling them সোনা ('gold'), treating the child as a precious metal.
- The exclamation সাবাশ is often used by elders to praise children, but if an adult uses it toward a social superior, it can sound patronizing or condescending.
- In some contexts, সাবাশ is used ironically or sarcastically to criticize someone who has made a clumsy mistake, similar to saying 'nice one' in English.
Examples in context
- সাবাশ, তুমি খুব ভালো খেলেছ!Shabash, tumi khub bhalo khelecho!Well done, you played very well!
- সাবাশ, তোমার কাজটা চমৎকার হয়েছে।Shabash, tomar kajta chomokkar hoyeche.Well done, your work has been excellent.
Example conversation
Anirban is praising Ananya for her beautiful singing performance.
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanসাবাশ, অনন্যা! তুমি দারুণ গেয়েছ।Shabash, Ananya! Tumi darun geyecho.Well done, Ananya! You sang wonderfully.
- অনন্যা Ananyaধন্যবাদ, অনির্বাণ।Dhonnobad, Anirban.Thank you, Anirban.
- অনির্বাণ Anirbanতোমার গান শুনে সবাই মুগ্ধ।Tomar gaan shune shobai mugdho.Everyone is charmed by your singing.
- অনন্যা Ananyaতোমার প্রশংসা পেয়ে খুব ভালো লাগছে।Tomar proshonsha peye khub bhalo lagche.It feels very good to receive your praise.
