Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning
Muhammad Asad
But speak unto him in a mild manner, so that he might bethink himself or [at least] be filled with apprehension
M. M. Pickthall
And speak unto him a gentle word, that peradventure he may heed or fear
Yusuf Ali (Saudi Rev. 1985)
"But speak to him mildly; perchance he may take warning or fear (Allah)."
The Clear Quran, Dr. Mustafa Khattab
Speak to him gently, so perhaps he may be mindful ˹of Me˺ or fearful ˹of My punishment˺.”
Safi Kaskas
And speak to him gently that perhaps he may remember or fear [God].”
Wahiduddin Khan
But speak gently to him; perhaps he may yet take heed or even feel afraid
Shakir
Then speak to him a gentle word haply he may mind or fear
Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar
And both say to him a saying gently, so that perhaps he will recollect or dread.
T.B.Irving
Speak a soft word to him so that he may be reminded or even feel afraid."
Abdul Hye
Speak both of you to him with soft words, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear (of punishment).”
The Study Quran
Yet speak unto him gently, that haply he may remember or have fear.
Talal Itani & AI (2024)
But speak to him mildly; perhaps he may remember or fear.”
Talal Itani (2012)
But speak to him nicely. Perhaps he will remember, or have some fear.'
Dr. Kamal Omar
And you both speak to him mild and effective speech, may be he accepts admonition or becomes sincere
Speak to him in gentle words; perhaps he may take heed of the reminder or fear Our punishment."
Muhammad Mahmoud Ghali
So speak (you both) leniently (Literally: say a lenient) to him, that possibly he would remind himself or would be apprehensive."
Muhammad Sarwar
Both of you must speak with him in a gentle manner so that perhaps he may come to himself or have fear (of God)."
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
So speak to him in soft words. May be, he accepts the advice or fears (Allah)
Shabbir Ahmed
Speak to him nicely, so that he may take heed and fear the consequences of his actions."
Dr. Munir Munshey
But speak to him in an affable manner. Maybe he will heed, and fear (Allah)
Syed Vickar Ahamed
"And speak to him mildly; In case he may take the warning or fear (Allah)."
And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [ Allah ]."
[The Monotheist Group] (2011 Edition)
"So say to him soft words, perhaps he will remember or take heed."
Abdel Haleem
Speak to him gently so that he may take heed, or show respect.’
Abdul Majid Daryabadi
Then say to him a gentle saying; haply he may be admonished or he may fear
Ahmed Ali
Speak to him gently. He may possibly take heed or may come to have fear."
Aisha Bewley
But speak to him with gentle words so that hopefully he will pay heed or show some fear.´
Ali Ünal
"But speak to him with gentle words, so that he might reflect and be mindful or feel some awe (of me, and behave with humility)."
Ali Quli Qara'i
Speak to him in a soft manner; maybe he will take admonition or fear.’
Hamid S. Aziz
And speak to him a gentle speech, that per chance (or possibly) he may be mindful or fear."
Ali Bakhtiari Nejad
Then tell him in gentle words, so that he may take notice or fear.”
A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018)
“But speak to him gently. Perhaps he may take warning because of his admiration.
Musharraf Hussain
speak gently with him, so he might pay attention or fear Allah.”
Maududi
and speak to him gently, perhaps he may take heed or fear (Allah)."
[The Monotheist Group] (2013 Edition)
"So say to him soft words, perhaps he will remember or be concerned."
Mohammad Shafi
"And speak to him gently. Maybe he takes heed or refrains from further evil."
Controversial or status undetermined works
Ahmed Raza Khan (Barelvi)
Then speak to him gentle words: haply he may be mindful or he may have some fear.
"Speak to him nicely; he may take heed, or become reverent."
Hasan Al-Fatih Qaribullah
Speak to him with gentle words; perhaps he will ponder or fear.
Maulana Muhammad Ali
Then speak to him a gentle word, haply he may mind or fear
Muhammad Ahmed & Samira
So you (B) say to him a lenient/flexible saying/opinion and belief, maybe/perhaps he mentions/remembers, or fears
Bijan Moeinian
“Talk to him in a nice manner so that he may listen to your admonition and mind the consequences of his rebellion.”
Faridul Haque
"And speak to him courteously, that perhaps he may ponder or have some fear."
Sher Ali
`But speak to him a gentle word, haply he might take heed or fear.
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri
So talk to him politely. He may perhaps accept admonition or fear (My wrath).
Amatul Rahman Omar
`But speak to him a gentle speech, may be he pays heed and fears (the consequences).
Muhsin Khan & Muhammad al-Hilali
"And speak to him mildly, perhaps he may accept admonition or fear Allah."
New, Partial, or In Progress Translations
Fode Drame
And so both of you speak unto him a gentle word perhaps he may remember or defer to [His Lord].
Munir Mezyed
But speak to him with kind words, perhaps he may accept admonition or show reverence.”
Sahib Mustaqim Bleher
And talk to him gently so that he might reflect or fear.
Linda “iLHam” Barto
“Speak gently to him in the chance that he may take heed and fear.”
Fadel Soliman, Bridges‘ Translation
but saydl a lenient word to him, that he may remind himself or be fearful.”
Irving & Mohamed Hegab
Speak a soft word to him so that he may be reminded or even feel afraid."
Samy Mahdy
So, say for him a soft saying. Perhaps he remembers, or awes.”
Sayyid Qutb
But speak to him mildly, so that he may yet take heed, or may be filled with apprehension.'
Ahmed Hulusi
“But speak gently with him! Perhaps he will contemplate and evaluate or feel awed!”
Sayyed Abbas Sadr-Ameli
Yet speak gently to him, perhaps he may get admonished or fear (Allah)
"And speak gently to him, so that he might hopefully be brought to his senses and entertain a profound reverence for Allah"
Mir Aneesuddin
but speak to him a gentle word, perhaps he may be mindful or fear."
The Wise Quran
And speak to him a gentle speech, perhaps he may remember or fear.'