BeginnerFormalStandard

You first / After you

Age apni

AH-gay AHP-nee

About this phrase

Literally

First you

When to use it

A short courtesy phrase offering someone precedence, going through a door, being served, or getting on transport, common polite Bangladeshi etiquette.

How it feels

Respectful and gracious, especially toward elders.

Formality

Formal, uses the 'apni' register

Grammar

Word by word

Rules in this phrase

Apni, tumi, tuiapni ... -en or tumi ... -o or tui ... -ish

Examples

Na na, age apni jan

No no, please, you go first

Age apni boshen

Please, you sit first

In a conversation

Younger person

Chacha, age apni jan

Uncle, please go first

Elder

Na baba, tumi-i jao

No son, you go ahead

Common replies

Dhonnobad, apni onek bhodro

Thank you, you're very kind

Accha, dhonnobad

Alright, thank you