Greetings and politeness in Tajik
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Tajik words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Tajik phrases in this lesson
- Саломsa-LOM
- Hello
- Субҳ бахайрSUBH ba-KHAYR
- Good morning
- Шоми хушsho-MI KHUSH
- Good evening
- ХайрKHAYR
- Goodbye
- То диданto di-DAN
- See you
- ЛутфанLOOT-fan
- Please
- Ташаккурta-shak-KUR
- Thank you
- Хоҳиш мекунамKHO-hish me-ku-NAM
- You're welcome
- Узр мехоҳамuzr me-kho-HAM
- Sorry
- Бубахшедbu-bakh-SHED
- Excuse me
- Аз шиносоӣ бо шумо шодамaz shi-no-so-I bo shu-MO sho-DAM
- Nice to meet you
The universal greeting in Tajikistan. Works for arrivals, phone answers, and anyone you pass. Also spelled Salom, it comes from Arabic but is thoroughly Tajik now.
Literally "morning with goodness". Used in the early hours until mid-morning. The response is the same phrase back, or sometimes "Шуми бахайр" (your morning be good).
Literally "pleasant evening".
Short and complete, literally "goodness". Longer farewell: "Ба хайри ҳама" (to the goodness of all), or "ВИ САЗ" (we see you), until next time. Handshake or hand on heart expected.
Literally "until seeing", the friendly goodbye. Хайр (khayr) works for everyone.
Polite request word, from Persian origin. Pair it with the action: "Лутфан, ин, тоъм" (please, this, food). Politeness in Tajik comes more from tone than special words.
The standard workhorse. The word is Persian-Arabic origin but fully naturalized. Stress the second syllable: ta-shak-KUR.
Literally "I make a wish", meaning you are welcome or do not mention it. Also "ҳеч чизи", nothing at all, works as a modest dismissal.
Literally "I ask forgiveness", the real apology.
The apology word, formal and sincere. Also "афв кун" (afv kun), excuse me, in more casual situations. Works for cutting in, interrupting, or admitting fault.
Literally "I am glad of acquaintance with you".