Signification
Referring to a short time in the future.
Contexte culturel
In Bangladesh, 'ektu pore' is often used by service providers (like internet technicians) to mean 'sometime today'. It's a way to manage expectations without committing to a specific hour. In Kolkata, 'ektu pore' is a staple of 'Adda' culture. If someone says they are leaving 'ektu pore', expect them to stay for at least another half-hour of conversation. In the UK or USA, second-generation Bengalis often use 'ektu pore' as one of the few Bengali phrases they retain, often mixing it with English (e.g., 'I'll do it ektu pore'). In a Dhaka corporate office, 'ektu pore' from a boss might mean 'I'm busy, don't bother me for an hour', whereas from a junior, it means 'I'm finishing it right now'.
The Emphatic 'i'
Add '-i' to the end (একটু পরেই) to mean 'very shortly' or 'right away'.
Don't be too literal
If a Bengali friend says 'ektu pore', be prepared for it to take longer than 5 minutes!
Signification
Referring to a short time in the future.
The Emphatic 'i'
Add '-i' to the end (একটু পরেই) to mean 'very shortly' or 'right away'.
Don't be too literal
If a Bengali friend says 'ektu pore', be prepared for it to take longer than 5 minutes!
Restaurant Etiquette
Use this phrase to keep your table without ordering immediately; it's very common in busy cafes.
Softening the Blow
Use 'ektu pore' instead of 'no' to be more culturally appropriate and polite.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to say 'I will eat rice in a bit'.
আমি ___ ভাত খাব।
'একটু পরে' means 'in a bit', which fits the context of a future meal.
Which phrase is the most polite way to ask a waiter to wait?
অর্ডারটা ___ দিচ্ছি।
'Ektu pore' is the standard polite way to ask for a short delay.
Match the Bengali phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
Pore = later, Age = before, Ektu = a bit, Onek = a lot.
Complete the dialogue.
Friend: 'কিরে, আসবি?' You: 'হ্যাঁ, ___ আসছি।'
When a friend asks if you're coming, 'ektu pore' is a natural response indicating you'll be there soon.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesআমি ___ ভাত খাব।
'একটু পরে' means 'in a bit', which fits the context of a future meal.
অর্ডারটা ___ দিচ্ছি।
'Ektu pore' is the standard polite way to ask for a short delay.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Pore = later, Age = before, Ektu = a bit, Onek = a lot.
Friend: 'কিরে, আসবি?' You: 'হ্যাঁ, ___ আসছি।'
When a friend asks if you're coming, 'ektu pore' is a natural response indicating you'll be there soon.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt's subjective! Usually 5-30 minutes, but culturally it can stretch to an hour.
No, that would be 'kaalke' (tomorrow). 'Ektu pore' is for the same day.
It's okay for casual parts of the interview, but 'অল্পক্ষণ পরে' is safer for formal speech.
They are almost identical. 'Bade' is more common in West Bengal and slightly more informal.
No, the order is always quantifier (ektu) then postposition (pore).
No, for 'behind' use 'pichone'. 'Pore' is for time.
Use 'আর একটু পরে' (Ar ektu pore).
Yes, many romantic songs use it to describe waiting for a lover.
Yes, in an informal or semi-formal email it's perfectly fine.
Use 'একটু আগে' (Ektu age).
It's a short, crisp 'u' sound.
It's a common variation in written Bengali and some dialects; both are correct.
Expressions liées
একটু বাদে
synonymIn a bit
অল্পক্ষণ পরে
specialized formAfter a short moment
একটু আগে
contrastA little while ago
অনেক পরে
contrastMuch later
কিছুক্ষণ পর
similarAfter some time
