ته
të/tə/informal
In Pashto, the English phrase "you" is expressed through different forms depending on the level of respect and the number of people being addressed. The default form is ته (të). Wiktionary also lists تاسې (tāsé).
Meaning: subject pronoun: the person being addressed (pron)
Ways to say it
| Pashto | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ته | të | /tə/ | informal |
| تاسې | tāsé | /ˈtɑse/ (Southern) /ˈtɑso/ (Northern) |
formal |
These words function as subject pronouns to refer to the person or people being addressed.
Which one should you use?
The informal form ته is used for a single individual. In contrast, تاسې is used when addressing a group of people (plural) or when addressing a single person with respect. While تاسو is also a formal form used for a single individual, تاسې serves as the formal/plural option in this context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ته is the most commonly used informal form for a single person. Use تاسې instead of ته when you want to show respect to an elder, a stranger or a superior.
How does it change in a sentence?
تاسې is used as the plural form when you are addressing more than one person.
How do you pronounce it?
/tə/
Did you know?
- The word ته shares a common prehistoric ancestor with the English word 'thou' and the Latin 'tu'.
- Unlike English, where 'you' is always the same regardless of who is speaking, Pashto speakers may switch between ته and تاسې mid-conversation to signal a change in emotional intimacy.
- In some Pashto dialects, the distinction between تاسې and تاسو can signal subtle regional differences between southern and northern speakers.
Examples in context
- .ته په کور کې يېYou are at home.This sentence uses the form ته to show location.Tatoeba #13848937 by IrfanullahMomand11, translation #4457766 by danepo
- ایا ته به دا خوش کړی چه په بس کی ولاړ سۍ؟Would you prefer going by bus?This sentence uses the form ته to express a preference.Tatoeba #7875997 by rahimikdr, translation #3825987 by CK
- ته ښایسته یې.ta khayasta ye.You are beautiful.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a park.
- زركولہ Zarkolaته دلته څه کوې؟ta dalta sa kaway?What are you doing here?
- زلمای Zalmayزه دلته ګرځم.za dalta garzam.I am walking around here.
- زركولہ Zarkolaته ډېر خوشحاله ښکاري.ta der khushala khkari.You look very happy.
- زلمای Zalmayمننه، زه ښه یم.manana, za kha yam.Thanks, I am good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries ته, تاسې, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ته, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
