Polite Expressions and Formalities

This unit covers polite expressions and formalities essential for diplomatic and professional interaction. You will learn the honorific register with apni-form verb endings, request forms using doya kore, expressions of thanks (dhonnobad), and greetings appropriate to different times of day.

Basic Sentences

Bengali (romanized)	English
Doya kore bollen.	Please say it.
Dhonnobad.	Thank you.
Apnake dhonnobad.	Thank you. (to you)
Kono kaaj nei.	You’re welcome. (No problem)
Shubho shokale.	Good morning.
Shubho dupur.	Good afternoon.
Shubho shondhya.	Good evening.
Apni eshechhen, dhonnobad.	Thank you for coming.
Doya kore ekta paani din.	Please give me some water.

Key Vocabulary

Bengali	English
doya kore	please (literally: doing kindness)
dhonnobad	thank you
kono	any
kaaj	work, matter
nei	there is not
shubho	auspicious, good
shokal	morning
dupur	afternoon
shondhya	evening
eshechhen	you have come (formal)
paani	water
din	give (formal imperative)
bollen	please say
onek	many, much

Grammar Notes

Honorific Register: apni-form Verb Endings

When addressing someone with apni, use the formal verb forms. Present tense: -en (e.g., bolen – you say, koren – you do). Past: -en (e.g., eshechhen – you came). The honorific forms show respect and are required in diplomatic contexts.

Request Forms: doya kore

Doya kore (please) precedes the request. Doya kore bollen (Please say it). Doya kore ekta paani din (Please give me some water). For stronger politeness: Doya kore, apni ki eta bolte parben? (Please, can you say this?)

Thanks: dhonnobad

Dhonnobad is the standard thank you. Apnake dhonnobad emphasizes “thank you” (to you). Onek dhonnobad (Thank you very much). Response: Kono kaaj nei or Kichhu mone korben na (Don’t mention it).

Greetings by Time of Day

• Shubho shokale – Good morning
• Shubho dupur – Good afternoon
• Shubho shondhya – Good evening
• Shubho raat – Good night (less common)

These can stand alone or combine with kemon achhen: Shubho shokale. Kemon achhen?

Drills

Drill 1: Polite Requests

Bengali	English
Doya kore bollen.	Please say it.
Doya kore bosun.	Please sit.
Doya kore paani din.	Please give water.
Doya kore ekhane asun.	Please come here.

Drill 2: Thanks and Response

Bengali	English
Dhonnobad.	Thank you.
Onek dhonnobad.	Thank you very much.
Kono kaaj nei.	You’re welcome.
Apnake onek dhonnobad.	Thank you very much (to you).

Drill 3: Time-of-Day Greetings

Time	Greeting	English
Morning	Shubho shokale.	Good morning.
Afternoon	Shubho dupur.	Good afternoon.
Evening	Shubho shondhya.	Good evening.
Combined	Shubho dupur. Kemon achhen?	Good afternoon. How are you?

Drill 4: Formal Exchange

Speaker	Bengali	English
A	Shubho shokale. Apni eshechhen, dhonnobad.	Good morning. Thank you for coming.
B	Kono kaaj nei. Apni kemon achhen?	You’re welcome. How are you?
A	Bhalo achhi, dhonnobad. Doya kore bosun.	I am well, thank you. Please sit.

Narrative

Shubho dupur. Apni ekjon mohamaner sathe mukh khulechhen. Apni bollen, “Shubho dupur. Apni eshechhen, onek dhonnobad.” She bollen, “Kono kaaj nei. Doya kore, apni kemon achhen?” Apni bollen, “Bhalo achhi. Doya kore bosun. Doya kore ekta cha khaben?” She bollen, “Haan, dhonnobad.”

Good afternoon. You have met with an honored guest. You said, “Good afternoon. Thank you for coming.” They said, “You’re welcome. Please, how are you?” You said, “I am well. Please sit. Would you like some tea?” They said, “Yes, thank you.”