A Guide To Expressing Gratitude In Afghanistan: The Art Of Saying "Thank You

Afghanistan has two official languages: Pashto and Dari. Dari is a variety of Persian spoken mainly in Afghanistan and also in Pakistan. In Dari, the phrase for thank you is tashakor. A common verbal greeting in Afghanistan is Salam or Salam alaikum, meaning Peace be upon you. When speaking, Afghans usually place their right hand over their heart to show respect and sincerity.

Greeting people in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic society with diverse ethnic, linguistic and tribal groups. The most common ethnic groups are the Pashtuns, Tajiks and Hazaras. However, there are also significant populations of Uzbeks, Nuristani, Aimak, Turkmen and Baloch, among others. Afghanistan's official language is Pashto, but Dari and Farsi are also widely spoken.

Greetings are very important in Afghanistan and are the first step to getting to know someone. When greeting people, Afghans usually place their right hand over their heart to show respect and sincerity. Greetings are often prolonged, as each person enquires about the other. Afghans usually ask about a person's health, business or family before moving on to other topics of conversation.

• "Salam" or "Salam alaikum", meaning "Peace be upon you", is a common verbal greeting used in Afghanistan. This greeting is often used regardless of the gender of the person being greeted.
• Greetings between people of the same gender usually involve a handshake with the right hand.
• Close friends and family members may hug, backslap, and kiss each other on the cheeks.
• People generally do not touch those of the opposite gender during greetings unless they are close family members. However, some Afghan men and women may be comfortable shaking hands with the opposite gender. It is customary for men to wait for a woman to extend her hand first before offering a handshake.
• Men may greet women by placing their hand over their heart and nodding. This greeting is also used for people who are perceived to be unaccustomed to physical touch.
• People may kiss a person's forehead or right hand to show deep respect. However, it is not acceptable for a man to kiss a woman in this manner if they are not related.
• Eye contact should be kept to a minimum during greetings, especially between men and women, as a sign of modesty.
• When greeting someone, use their last name and title (e.g. "Hussaini Sahib") unless they give you permission to use their first name. If the person is a doctor, you would address them as "Dr." followed by their last name and title (e.g. "Dr. Hussaini Sahib").
• "As-salâmo 'alaykom" is a general greeting that can be used to say "Hello".
• "Sobh baxir" means "Good morning".
• "Cast baxir" means "Good afternoon".
• "Šab baxir" means "Good evening".
• "Xudâ hâfez" or "Tâ didâr ba'ad" are phrases that can be used to say "Goodbye".

Verbal greeting in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country with a rich cultural heritage and a diverse range of ethnicities and tribes. The country has two official languages, Pashto and Dari (Afghan Persian/Farsi), with many other languages also spoken across the country.

When greeting someone in Afghanistan, it is customary to use your right hand or both hands to gesture. The left hand is considered unclean and should not be used. The most common form of greeting is a handshake, although this is usually only between people of the same gender. Close friends and family may hug, kiss on the cheek, or backslap.

When greeting someone of the opposite gender, it is important to be mindful of cultural norms and traditions. Men and women generally do not touch or shake hands unless they are close family members. If a woman offers her hand for a handshake, it is acceptable for a man to shake it. Men may greet women by placing their hand over their heart and nodding. This greeting is also used for people who are not comfortable with physical touch. Afghans tend to avoid eye contact during greetings, especially between men and women, as a sign of modesty.

A common verbal greeting is "Salam" or "Salam alaikum", which means "Peace be upon you". People often place their right hand over their heart when speaking to show respect and sincerity. Greetings are usually quite lengthy, as each person enquires about the other's health, business, or family. It is customary to wait for these initial pleasantries to finish before asking a direct question.

When asking "How are you?" in Afghanistan, the phrase differs depending on the language spoken. In Pashto, one would say "Tsenga yee", while in Dari, one would say "Chutoor hasta", and in Farsi, "Shoma chetur hastin".

In Afghanistan, it is important to address people with their last name and title, such as "Mr." or "Ms.", unless they give you permission to use their first name. For example, if greeting someone named "Dr. Hussaini", you would address them as "Dr. Hussaini Sahib".

In addition to verbal greetings, there are several other important cultural norms to be aware of when interacting with Afghans. It is considered rude to walk away while someone is still talking to you. It is also important to dress modestly and respectfully, especially when visiting someone's home. When entering a home, it is customary to remove your shoes at the door. Afghans are known for their hospitality, and you will likely be offered tea and refreshments. It is important to accept these offerings as a sign of friendship and respect.

Greeting people of the same gender

Greeting someone in Afghanistan is a very important part of the culture. The Islamic values, concepts and practices of the country inform many social and behavioural norms, including how to greet people. Greeting someone correctly is a way to show respect.

When greeting someone of the same gender in Afghanistan, it is customary to shake hands with the right hand. Close friends and family may also hug, backslap and kiss one another on the cheeks.

It is also common to place the right hand over the heart and nod slightly when greeting someone. This is often accompanied by the verbal greeting "Salam" or "Salam alaikum", meaning "Peace be upon you". Afghans will also usually ask about the other person's health, business or family before moving on to direct questions.

If you are greeting someone in Pashto, you can ask "How are you?" by saying "Tsenga yee". In Dari, you can say "Chutoor hasta", and in Farsi, "Shoma chetur hastin".

Greeting people of the opposite gender

Greeting someone of the opposite gender in Afghanistan is quite different from greeting someone of the same gender. While people of the same gender usually greet each other with a handshake, this is not the case for men and women who are not close family or friends.

If you are a man greeting a woman, it is best to place your hand over your heart and nod. You should wait for the woman to extend her hand before shaking it. It is also common to say "Salam" or "Salam alaikum" ("Peace be upon you"), and to ask how they are. For example, you could say "Chetor asten?" in Dari.

If you are a woman greeting a man, it is also best to wait for him to extend his hand before shaking it. You can also place your hand over your heart and nod.

In general, eye contact should be kept to a minimum during greetings between men and women, out of modesty. It is also important to note that it is considered extremely inappropriate and disrespectful for men to enquire about an Afghan man's female family members, unless you know the family or person well.

Greeting close friends and family

When greeting, Afghans usually enquire about their counterpart's health, business, or family. They may ask, "How are you?" by saying "Tsenga yee" in Pashto, "Chutoor hasta" in Dari, or "Shoma chetur hastin" in Farsi. Afghans also use blessings and curses in their daily conversations, such as "May God give you health" or "May God curse your soul." Blessings are often used instead of saying 'thank you'.

In addition to verbal greetings, Afghans also use non-verbal gestures to convey respect and sincerity. For example, they usually place their right hand over their heart when speaking to show respect. They also maintain minimal eye contact during greetings, especially between men and women, as a sign of modesty.

Frequently asked questions