Today we are going to discuss the usage of some pleasantries. These are the words that we very politely and charmingly use in certain situations to show respect, appreciation or humility. You don’t even have to speak the language well to be able to use these phrases. By using these words you will come across as a very smart and polite person and make a better connection with the audience. The following words and phrases will come in handy when in the company of Dari speakers.

تشکرTashakur means “Thank you” and has the same usage as its English equivalent.

خیر بیبینی  Khair Bebeenee Literally means “May you face good” it is a version of saying “thank You” but it also has a sense of praying for someone.  It is an informal and more religious way of thanking someone.

قابلش نیست  Qabelish Naist literally means, “ It is not worthy of thanking” or can simply be translated as “you are welcome”

مهربان هستید Mehraban hasteed  means “you are Kind”. You can use this phrase to show appreciation and acknowledge someone’s kind acts or compliments towards you.

حسن نظر تان است  Husne Nazar e taan ast  is the equivalent of the English expression, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”However, it is used much more often in Dari than in English.  So when someone compliments you, you can say “ husne nazar e taan ast”. When someone compliments  your talent, work, or skills, you use this expression in response.

چشم هایتان مقبول است Chashem hai e taan Maqbool ast is also used to respond to a compliment. For instance, if someone tells you that you have beautiful eyes, you can say , “chashem hai e taan maqbool ast.”  Which means “Your eyes are beautiful?”  Remember that in Dari, we don’t say “thank you” in response to a compliment. This phrase is used in response when someone compliments your appearance.

زنده باد Zenda baad means “Long live!” it is mostly used with friends or acquaintances to show appreciation and gratitude

نوش جان  Noosh e Jaan is a very useful phrase in Afghanistan. While you are in the company of Dari speakers you will find out that  you are offered food and drinks quite often. So when someone offers you drink or food while they are eating and you want to politely refuse it y you can say “Nosh e Jaan”.