هو
ho/ho/
The English word "yes" is translated into Pashto as هو (ho).
هو is a particle used to indicate agreement or acceptance.
Meaning: word used to indicate agreement or acceptance (particle)
Which one should you use?
While هو is used as a direct affirmation of a fact, the word ښه is often used to mean "okay" or "alright" to signal agreement with a suggestion or a plan.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is romanized as ho and pronounced /ho/.
Did you know?
- If someone asks you a question with a negative polarity, such as 'Don't you like this?', answering with هو can be incredibly confusing. In these cases, Pashto speakers often use a more complex way to clarify if they are agreeing with the negative or the fact itself.
- When someone is calling your name to get your attention, you would likely respond with جی rather than هو to show proper etiquette.
- In many tribal or traditional Pashtun settings, your level of agreement can be signaled more by a subtle nod of the head than by the vocalization of هو. Non-verbal cues are often just as important as the word itself to avoid appearing impolite.
Examples in context
- هو، دا ډېر ښه دی.ho, da der kha de.Yes, this is very good.
- هو، زه خبر یم.ho, za khabar yam.Yes, I know.
Example conversation
Maryam asks Ahmed if he is ready to go.
- مریم Maryamاحمد، ایا ته تیار یې؟Ahmed, aya ta tayar ye?Ahmed, are you ready?
- احمد Ahmedهو، زه تیار یم.Ho, za tayar yam.Yes, I am ready.
- مریم Maryamنو راځه چې ووځو.No razah che wazoo.Then come, let's go.
- احمد Ahmedښه، زه رالورم.Kha, za ra-lwaram.Okay, I'm coming.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes” translations and entries هو, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
