Learn Urdu With Annie - Making speaking Urdu accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for all.

Do you think learning Urdu is challenging? Let’s take a look at a comprehensive list of over 100 everyday words in Urdu that you already know as an English speaker! These words have made their way from English into the Urdu language and are commonly used by Urdu speakers in their everyday conversations.

While going through the list, you may wonder why these words are the same in both Urdu and English. You’ll notice that Urdu and English share words due to British colonial influence and globalization. The words traveled both ways between these two languages— from English to Urdu and from Urdu to English. The words in the former category are borrowed words in Urdu, which you’ll find below, while the words in the latter category are loanwords from Urdu that have made their way into the English vocabulary. These are covered in another fascinating blog, where you’ll not only recognize the words but also learn a bit about their background. Check it out too!

Another reason for these common words is modernization. As technological items and trends emerge, certain words continue to be used in the same way in both languages. And the final reason behind these similar words is even more fascinating—something truly intriguing about the Urdu language! Some English words fit naturally into Urdu without needing translation and have become a part of the language as is. So, in a way, no new words were added to the language.

Now is the time for an exciting sneak peek into the words you already know in Urdu—exciting, isn’t it? You already know over 100 words in Urdu as you get started, and you’ll find them useful as a beginner Urdu speaker and learner—yay! After reviewing this comprehensive list, don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

Everyday Objects & Common Items:

These are everyday items you’ll commonly find around you, and they mean the same thing in Urdu! Since Urdu is a gendered language, each item you see here has a gender. As you review the list of words you know, be sure to check their correct gender in Urdu too!

Shampoo

In Urdu, ‘shampoo’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Lipstick

In Urdu, ‘lipstick’ is pronounced as “li + pis + tick,” where “li” rhymes with “he,” “pis” rhymes with “kiss,” and “tick” sounds like the regular “tick.” In Urdu, lipstick is considered feminine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Glass

In Urdu, ‘glass’ is pronounced as “gi + lass,” where “gi” rhymes with “he,” and “lass” sounds like the “lass” in “glass.” Glass is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Plate

In Urdu, ‘plate’ is pronounced as “pi + late” where “pi” rhymes with “he,” and “late” sounds like the “late” in “plate.” Plate is considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Lamp

In Urdu, ‘lamp’ refers to the same light appliance as in English—and it’s considered masculine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Travel & Entertainment:

Bus

In Urdu, ‘bus‘ refers to the same mode of transportation as in English—and it’s considered feminine. But did you know ‘bus‘ also means ‘stop’ or ‘that’s it’? So next time you want someone to stop, just say ‘bus‘! Play the audio below to hear the word.

Taxi

In Urdu, ‘taxi’ refers to the same mode of transportation as in English—and it’s considered feminine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Train

In Urdu, ‘train’ refers to the same mode of transportation as in English. It is also called ‘rail gaari‘ or ‘laaree.’ Since both ‘rail gaari‘ and ‘laaree‘ end with an -ee sound, they are feminine, and as a result, the word ‘train’ is also considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

You’ll notice that ‘train‘ and ‘rail gaari‘ are the most commonly used, while ‘laaree‘ is often heard in poetry or songs. This reminds me of the song Laaree Chootee, which happens to be one of my favorites! Enjoy the song below!

Truck

In Urdu, ‘truck’ refers to the same mode of transportation as in English—and it’s considered masculine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Cycle

In Urdu, ‘cycle’ refers to the “bike” in English—and it’s considered feminine. It’s pronounced as “saa + ee + kul” where “saa” rhymes with “maa”, “ee” rhymes with “tea”, and “kul” rhymes with “hull”. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Scooter

In Urdu, ‘scooter’ refers to the “bike” and is pronounced as “is + koo+ ter” where “is” rhymes with “miss,” “koo” rhymes with “poo”, and “ter” rhymes with “her”. Scooter is considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Engine

In Urdu, ‘engine’ refers to any regular engine of a machine as in English—and it’s considered masculine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Hotel

In Urdu, ‘hotel’ is pronounced as “ho + tul,” where “ho” sounds like Santa Claus’s “ho ho ho,” and “tul” rhymes with “dull.” Hotel is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Magazine

In Urdu, ‘magazine’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Movie

In Urdu, ‘movie’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Drama

In Urdu, ‘drama’ is pronounced as “di + ra+ ma,” where “di” rhymes with “he,” and “ra” and “ma” rhymes with “ha.” Drama is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Concert

In Urdu, ‘concert’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Club

In Urdu, ‘club’ is pronounced as “ci + lub” where “ci” rhymes with “he,” and “lub” rhymes with “hub.” Club is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Conference

In Urdu, ‘conference’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Meeting

In Urdu, ‘meeting’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Team

In Urdu, ‘team’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

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Password

In Urdu, ‘password’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Menu

In Urdu, ‘menu’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Ticket

In Urdu, ‘ticket’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Passport

In Urdu, ‘passport’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Sports and Musical Instruments:

Football

In Urdu, ‘football’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu because anything ending with a ball would be a feminine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Cricket

In Urdu, ‘cricket’ is pronounced as “kir + kit” where “kir” rhymes with “pill” with an ending sound, “r,” and “kit” rhymes with “hit.” Cricket is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Hockey

In Urdu, ‘hockey’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu because it ends with an -i (ee) sound at the end. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Tennis

In Urdu, ‘tennis’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Basketball

In Urdu, ‘basketball’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu because anything ending with a ball would be a feminine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Guitar

In Urdu, ‘guitar’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Piano

In Urdu, ‘piano’ is pronounced as “pi + ya + no” where “pi” rhymes with “he,” “ya” rhymes with “ha”, and “no” is the regular no just like in English. Piano is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Stationery and Office Supplies:

Sticker

In Urdu, ‘sticker’ is pronounced as “is + tee + ker” where “is” rhymes with “his,” “tee” rhymes with “she”, and “ker” rhymes with “her”. Sticker is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Pencil

In Urdu, ‘pencil’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Marker

In Urdu, ‘marker’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Card

In Urdu, ‘card’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Any word ending with a card, such as pokemon card, wedding card, birthday card, would be considered masculine. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Printer

In Urdu, ‘printer’ is pronounced as “pi + rin + ter” where “pi” rhymes with “he,” “rin” rhymes with “fin”, and “ter” rhymes with “her”. Printer is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Email

In Urdu, ’email’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Mask

In Urdu, ‘mask’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Electronics and Technology:

You’ll notice that most electronic items are considered masculine in Urdu, except for those with an -ee (-i) sound at the end or in the middle of the word, such as battery, USB, and machine. TV, although commonly used in conversation, stems from ‘television’ and is therefore considered masculine in Urdu.

Mobile

In Urdu, ‘mobile’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Phone

In Urdu, ‘phone’ is pronounced more like “foon” rhyming with “moon”—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Laptop

In Urdu, ‘laptop’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Computer

In Urdu, ‘computer’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Tablet

In Urdu, ‘tablet’ is pronounced just like in English and is considered masculine. However, when referring to a medicine tablet , it is considered feminine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

iPad

In Urdu, ‘iPad’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Charger

In Urdu, ‘charger’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Headphones

In Urdu, ‘headphones’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Speaker

In Urdu, ‘speaker’ is pronounced as “is + pee + ker” where “is” rhymes with “miss,” “pee” rhymes with “tea”, and “ker” rhymes with “her”. Speaker is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Microphone

In Urdu, ‘microphone’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Keyboard

In Urdu, ‘keyboard’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Any word ending with a board, such as dashboard, blackboard, billboard, would be considered masculine. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Mouse

In Urdu, ‘mouse’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Camera

In Urdu, ‘camera’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Radio

In Urdu, ‘radio’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Internet

In Urdu, ‘internet’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Wi-Fi

In Urdu, ‘Wi-Fi’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Battery

In Urdu, ‘battery’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

TV

In Urdu, ‘TV’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Machine ︎・•● ● •・︎

In Urdu, ‘machine’ refers to any type of machine, just like in English—and it’s considered feminine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Remote

In Urdu, ‘remote’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Button

In Urdu, ‘button’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Alarm

In Urdu, ‘alarm’ is pronounced as “a + laa + rum” where “a” rhymes with “ba” in baba, “laa” rhymes with “ha” in haha, and “rum” sounds like the rum, rhyming with “mum”. Alarm is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Robot

In Urdu, ‘robot’ is pronounced as ‘row-boat,’ just like in the phrase ‘row a boat,’ but without the ‘a.’ For the most accurate pronunciation, try not to let air pass through your mouth while saying the word. You can test this by placing your palm in front of your mouth—if you don’t feel a puff of air, you’re saying it correctly. ‘Robot’ is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the pronunciation.

USB

In Urdu, ‘USB’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Home Appliances:

Fridge

In Urdu, ‘fridge’ is pronounced as “fi + ridge” where “fi” rhymes with “he” and “ridge” is the same sound as in fridge. Fridge is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Oven

In Urdu, ‘oven’ is pronounced as “o+ one” where “o” rhymes with “oh” and “one” is the same sound as in the number one. Oven is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Microwave

In Urdu, ‘microwave’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Toaster

In Urdu, ‘toaster’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Blender

In Urdu, ‘blender’ is pronounced as “bi+ len + der” where “bi” rhymes with “he”, “len” rhymes with “hen”, and “der” rhymes with “her”. Blender is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Heater

In Urdu, ‘heater’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Washing Machine

In Urdu, ‘washing machine’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Any word that ends with a machine is feminine in Urdu because machine itself is considered feminine. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Hair Dryer

In Urdu, ‘hair dryer’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Projector

In Urdu, ‘projector’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Clothing Items and Accessories:

Dress

In Urdu, ‘dress’ is pronounced as “di+ ress” where “di” rhymes with “he” and “ress” rhymes with “mess”. Dress is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Jacket

In Urdu, ‘jacket’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Sweater

In Urdu, ‘sweater’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Hoodie

In Urdu, ‘hoodie’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Legging

In Urdu, ‘legging’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Button

In Urdu, ‘button’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Boot

In Urdu, ‘boot’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Jeans

In Urdu, ‘jeans’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Shawl

In Urdu, ‘shawl’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Or you can also pronounce it as “shaal“. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Handbag / Purse

In Urdu, ‘handbag’ or ‘purse’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Perfume

In Urdu, ‘perfume’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

People and Places:

Doctor

In Urdu, “doctor” is pronounced just like in English—and it’s used for both male and female doctors. The key difference? In Urdu, there’s no puff of air when you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth as you say “doctor” and check that you don’t feel a burst of air.
While the formal Urdu word for a doctor is “tubeeb” (طبیب), the term “doctor” is far more commonly used. For specialized doctors, “doctor” is often combined with a descriptive phrase—like a dentist being called “daanton ka doctor” (male dentist) or “daanton ki doctor” (female dentist). Play the audio below to hear the pronunciation!

Teacher

In Urdu, “teacher” is pronounced just like in English—and it’s used for both male and female teachers. The key difference? In Urdu, there’s no puff of air when you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth as you say “teacher” and check that you don’t feel a burst of air.

While the formal Urdu word for a teacher is “ustaad” (استاد), the term “teacher” is also commonly used in conversational Urdu. While ustaad now can be considered a gender neutral word for teacher, “ustaad” used to be for male teachers and “ustaani” used to be for female teachers. Ustaad can also mean “master” in a particular skill or field. It is often used as a respectful title for experts, especially in traditional arts, music, and craftsmanship.

For example:

• A music maestro might be called “Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.”
• A highly skilled teacher can be referred to as “Ustaad“ by students.
• In everyday speech, it can also be used informally, like calling a skilled driver or worker “Ustaad” as a mark of respect.

Play the audio below to hear the pronunciation of teacher, ustaad, and ustaani!

Engineer

In Urdu, ‘engineer’ is pronounced as “in+ jee + knee + yer” where “in” rhymes with “bin”, “jee” rhymes with “me”, “knee” is pronounced just like the word “knee” , and “yer” rhymes with “her”. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Pilot

In Urdu, ‘pilot’ is pronounced just like in English—and could be used for male or female pilots. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Nurse

In Urdu, “nurse” is pronounced just like in English—and it’s used for both male and female nurses. While the formal Urdu word for a nurse is “daaee“, the term “nurse” is far more commonly used. In modern Urdu, “daaee” often refers to a midwife. Play the audio below to hear the pronunciation!

Officer

In Urdu, ‘officer’ is pronounced as “uf + sir” where “uf” rhymes with “puff”, and “sir” rhymes with “her”. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Police Officer

In Urdu, police is pronounced as “pu + lees” where “pu” rhymes with “boo”, and “lees” rhymes with “lease”. And ‘officer’ is pronounced as “uf + sir” where “uf” rhymes with “puff”, and “sir” rhymes with “her”. Play the audio below to hear the word.

School

In Urdu, ‘school‘ is pronounced as “is + kool” where “is” rhymes with “his”, and “kool” rhymes with “tool”.

The original word for school was madarsa (مدرسہ), which came into the Urdu language from Persian. However, over time, the usage of madarsa has shifted. While it originally referred to a regular school, it is now commonly used to mean an Islamic school.

So, when referring to a regular academic school, use the word school. An Islamic school can be referred to as madarsa, which still literally means school.

Play the audio below to hear how it’s pronounced!

College

In Urdu, chocolate is pronounced in two common ways:

1. “kaw + lij” – where “kaw” rhymes with the word “maw”, and lij sounds just like the ending sound in college.
2. “kaa + lij” – where “kaa” rhymes with “haa”, and lij again sounds just like college in English.

College is considered masculine in Urdu.

Play the audio below to hear how it’s pronounced!

University

In Urdu, university is pronounced just like in English. It is considered feminine in Urdu because it ends with an -ee sound. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Jungle

In Urdu, ‘jungle’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Interestingly, this is one of the words in Urdu that made its way into the English language, and not the other way around. You’ll find more such words here. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Bank

In Urdu, ‘bank’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Hotel

In Urdu, hotel is pronounced as “ho + tul” where “ho” rhymes with “bow”, and “tul” rhymes with “hull”. Hotel is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Hospital

In Urdu, hospital is pronounced as “hus + pa + taal” where “hus” rhymes with “fuss”, “pa” rhymes with “ma”, and “taal” rhymes with “canal”. Hospital is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Museum

In Urdu, ‘museum’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Park

In Urdu, ‘park’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Market

In Urdu, ‘market’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. The key difference in pronunciation? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Cinema

In Urdu, ‘cinema’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Family and Medical Terms

Aunty

In Urdu, “aunty” is pronounced just like it is in English. It’s commonly used to refer to any older woman, often someone unrelated, as a sign of respect. Children often call a woman “aunty,” and refer to multiple women as “auntiyaan.” However, for blood relatives—like a parent’s siblings—Urdu has specific relationship terms, so those are used instead of “aunty.”

Play the audio below to hear the pronunciation!

Uncle

In Urdu, “uncle” is pronounced just like it is in English. It’s often used to refer to any older man, usually someone unrelated, as a respectful title. Children commonly call a man “uncle,” and refer to multiple men as “uncle”. However, for blood relatives—like a parent’s brothers—Urdu has specific relationship terms, so those are used instead of “uncle.”

Play the audio below to hear the pronunciation!

Injection

In Urdu, injection is pronounced as “in + jaik + shun” where “in” rhymes with “pin”, “jaik” rhymes with “Jake”, and “shun” rhymes with “pun”. Injection is considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Surgery

In Urdu, surgery is pronounced as “sir+ ja + ree” where “sir” rhymes with “fur”, “ja” rhymes with “ma”, and “ree” rhymes with “me”. Surgery is considered feminine in Urdu because it ends with an -ee sound. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Food and Drinks:

Many food-related words are the same across both languages.

Pizza

In Urdu, pizza is pronounced as “pee + za” where “pee” rhymes with “tea”, and “za” rhymes with “ma”. Another key difference? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air.

Pizza is considered masculine in Urdu because of its ending -aa sound.

Play the audio below to hear the word.

Burger

In Urdu, ‘burger‘ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Pasta

In Urdu, ‘pasta‘ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu because of its ending -aa sound. The key difference? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Cheese

In Urdu, ‘cheese‘ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Mayonnaise

In Urdu, mayonnaise is pronounced as “maa + yo + nees” where “maa” rhymes with “ha”, “yo” sounds like it does in yo-yo, and “nees” rhymes with “niece”. Mayonnaise is considered a masculine word in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Ketchup

In Urdu, ‘ketchup‘ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. The key difference? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Blueberry

In Urdu, blueberry is pronounced as “be + loo” where “be” rhymes with “be”, and “loo” rhymes with “flu”. And ‘berry’ is pronounced just like in English. Blueberry is considered feminine in Urdu because of its ending -ee sound. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Kiwi

In Urdu, ‘kiwi’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered feminine in Urdu. The key difference? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Chocolate

In Urdu, chocolate is pronounced in two common ways:

1. “chawk + late” – where “chawk” rhymes with the word “mock”, and late sounds just like the English word late.
2. “chaak” – where “chaak” rhymes with “haa”, but ends with a k sound, and late again sounds just like in English.

Chocolate is considered feminine in Urdu.

Play the audio below to hear how it’s pronounced!

Ice-cream

In Urdu, ice in ice-cream is pronounced just like in English, while cream is pronounced as “ke-reem”, where “ke” rhymes with “he”, and “reem” rhymes with “team.”

Words ending in -cream are considered feminine in Urdu because they have with an -ee sound when spoken. So, ice-cream is also treated as a feminine noun.

Play the audio below to hear the pronunciation.

Corn flakes

In Urdu, ‘corn flakes‘ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered a masculine-plural noun. The key difference? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Biscuit

In Urdu, biscuit is pronounced as “bis + kut” where “bis” rhymes with “miss”, and “kut” rhymes with “foot”. Biscuit is considered masculine in Urdu.

Interestingly, cookies are also called biscuit in Urdu. Since a cookie is essentially the same as a biscuit (which is masculine), the word cookie is treated as masculine too—even though it ends in an “-ee” sound, which might suggest femininity to some.

In conversation, both cookie and biscuit are commonly used, even though biscuit is the original word.

Play the audio below to hear how it’s pronounced!

Coffee

In Urdu, coffee is pronounced in two common ways:

1. “kaw + fee” – where “kaw” rhymes with “law”
2. “kaa + fee” – where “kaa” rhymes with “haa”

In both cases, “fee” sounds just like the English word fee.

Coffee is considered feminine in Urdu, mainly because it ends in the -ee sound, which is one of the gender rules in Urdu.

Play the audio below to hear how it’s pronounced!

Cake

In Urdu, ‘cake’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. The key difference? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Juice

In Urdu, ‘juice’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Milkshake

In Urdu, ‘milkshake‘ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu. Play the audio below to hear the pronunciation.

Omelet

In Urdu, omelet is pronounced as “aam + late” where “aam” rhymes with “calm” with no l sound, and “late” rhymes with “fate”. Another key difference? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air.

Omelet is considered masculine in Urdu because it has a significant -aa sound when pronouncing as opposed to the -ee sound.

Play the audio below to hear the word.

Vitamin

In Urdu, vitamin is pronounced as “we + taa + min” where “we” rhymes with “tea”, “taa” rhymes with “ma”, and “min” rhymes with “tin”. Vitamin is considered a masculine noun. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Animals:

Even some animal names are the same in both Urdu and English:

Cheetah

In Urdu, ‘cheetah‘ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered a masculine noun.

The feminine form of cheetah in Urdu is cheeti. You’ll notice the change in the ending sound, and that’s a common way gender works in Urdu: -aa sounds tend to be masculine, while -ee sounds are often feminine.

A couple of key pronunciation tips:

• Keep the “t” sound soft—not sharp or aspirated.
• And make sure no air passes through your mouth when you say the “ch” sound. Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth—you shouldn’t feel a puff of air.

Fun fact: In conversational Urdu, cheetah or cheeti can also be used to describe someone who’s super fast or performs extraordinarily well—just like the animal! So next time you’re impressed, go ahead and call them a cheetah or cheeti!

Play the audio below to hear the word.

Unicorn

In Urdu, ‘unicorn’ is pronounced just like in English—and it’s considered masculine in Urdu when there is no specified gender. The key difference? Make sure no air passes through your mouth as you say it! Try this: place your palm in front of your mouth and check that you don’t feel a puff of air. Play the audio below to hear the word.

Panda

In Urdu, panda is pronounced as “paan + da“. Panda is considered masculine in Urdu because of its ending -aa sound. Play the audio below to hear the word.

See? You already know so much Urdu without even realizing it! Are there any other words you’d like to add to this list? Feel free to let us know in the comments below! This shared vocabulary makes learning Urdu easier than you might have thought. If you’re feeling excited about learning this beautiful language and want to get started, I recommend my self-paced course—designed to make learning Urdu easy and fun while helping you make steady progress in your language-learning journey.

Check out my self-paced course: Urdu Conversation 101 for Adults: A Beginner Course to Speak Urdu.

Or, if you’d prefer private lessons, shoot me an email at salaam@offerpulsecan.com. And if you’d just like to chat, feel free to reach out—I’d love to hear from you!

The post English to Urdu Loanwords—100+ Everyday Words You Already Know in Urdu (With Their Genders in Urdu) appeared first on Learn Urdu With Annie.

Learn Urdu With Annie - Making speaking Urdu accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for all.

Colors is one of the most interesting topics for all ages. When learning a new language, they become even more exciting because you can spot and apply them everywhere around you! It’s practical, fun, and adds beauty to your learning journey.

So, let’s explore how to say different vibrant colors in the beautiful Urdu language! Here, you’ll learn the 10 basic colors in Urdu, along with their English translations and transliterations to help you pronounce them correctly. Plus, we’ll dive into the different shades of these colors, their origins, and their cultural significance in South Asia—particularly in Pakistan and India. And if you love poetry, you’re in for a treat! We’ll also uncover how colors are beautifully woven into Urdu poetry and expressions.

Let’s get started.

Rung (also spelled Rang)

The Urdu word for “color” is “rung”, which originates from the Persian/Farsi language. It’s categorized as masculine, so the plural in Urdu remains “rung”. Play the audio below to hear the word.

The word first made its way in the Urdu language in the year 1611 in one of Qali Qutub Shah’s Kulliyaat*. However, Amir Khurso, a renowned poet known for seamlessly blending Persian and Urdu in his works, used rung in his poetry much earlier.

*Kulliyaat is a compilation or collection of all works of a single author or poet. It typically includes all their poems, writings, or literary pieces, brought together into one volume or set. For example, Kulliyaat-e-Ghalib (Mirza Ghalib’s collection of work), Kulliyaat-e-Iqbal (Allama Iqbal’s collection of work).

Rung – Beyond Just “Color”

The word “rung” is much more than just “color”. Depending on the context, it can also mean:

• Paint, Pigment, hue, or dye (of an object)
• Complexion (of a person or an object)
• Fashion or Style (of a person)
• State or condition (commonly used in idioms)
• Mood or manner (of a person)
• Beauty

This versatility is beautifully reflected in idiomatic expressions and cultural traditions, making “rung” a word full of life and emotion.

Qawwali Reference: Aaj Rung Hai (Today, there’s color)

One of the most iconic uses of rung in South Asian culture is in the qawwali “Aaj Rung Hai“. This timeless piece, often performed at the conclusion of a mehfil (a spiritual gathering), is attributed to Amir Khusro himself. The qawwali celebrates divine love and spiritual ecstasy, symbolized by being “colored” in the hues of devotion.

Its famous refrain—”Aaj rung hai ae maa, rung hai ri*”—celebrates the joy of love, unity, and spirituality. Performed with rhythmic claps and melodic voices, this qawwali captivates listeners and leaves them deeply moved.

* “Aaj rung hai ae maa, rung hai ri” means “today, there’s color, O mother, there is color!”.

The table below provides Urdu-English translations, Urdu script, and pronunciation guides for each word, helping you speak with confidence. Use it to explore common “rung“-related words like colorful, colorless, and more.

Play the audio below to listen to the pronunciations.

Rungeen

Rung Burunga

Bay-rung

Bud-rung

Yuk-rung

Let’s move to the basic colors and their usage.

1. Red: Laal

The Urdu word for “red” is “laal”, which is a non-gendered adjective. The word remains the same whether describing a male, female, or plural items. For instance,

• Ek laal butti hai. (There is a red light. – butti is feminine in Urdu)
• Ek laal glass hai. (There is a red glass. – glass is masculine in Urdu)
• Chaar laal chumchay hain. (There are four red spoons. – chumchay are masculine-plural)

“Laal” is found in Sanskrit, Turkish, and Farsi (Persian), however, the word primarily originates from Sanskrit and Farsi, rather than Turkish. This is because the primary origins and usage in Urdu align more with Sanskrit and Farsi influences. So, the core origin for Laal in Urdu is from Sanskrit and Farsi, with some cultural and linguistic overlap with Turkish.

• Sanskrit Meaning: In Sanskrit, Laal refers to a small red bird, boy, child, or son. This usage can be seen as a reflection of something vibrant, youthful, or full of life. In Urdu, the word Laal still carries the same essence, often used to describe vivid red objects or people with a vibrant or lively personality. The term is closely linked to vitality and the joy of life.
• Turkish Meaning: In Turkish, Laal is used to mean beloved, darling, dear, as well as the color red, and can also imply being angry or dumb. In Urdu, Laal shares this connection with love and affection, often being used metaphorically to refer to someone cherished or precious – more commonly for parental love, instead of romantic love. Additionally, Laal can denote anger, especially when one is described as “becoming red” due to rage, showing the emotional depth tied to the color red.
• Farsi Meaning: In Farsi, Laal retains its association with the color red, and this same meaning is reflected in Urdu. The term in both languages can symbolize beauty, passion, and intense emotion. The deep connection of Laal with love, desire, and even conflict is a common thread that weaves through both Farsi and Urdu.

Synonyms: Another common way to refer to the color red is surkh which has Persian origins and also refers to the color red.

Cultural Significance: In many South Asian cultures, red is a symbol of prosperity, good luck, and celebration. It’s a dominant color in weddings, festivals, and religious ceremonies. In addition, red also holds a powerful revolutionary and rebellious significance. It has been historically linked to inqilaab (revolution), armed struggle, and revolt.

The color red is often associated with the bloodshed and sacrifice of martyrs who fought for freedom and justice. For instance, red flags have been used by revolutionary groups as symbols of resistance and the fight for political change. “Inqilaab Zindabaad” (Long live the revolution) became a rallying cry during the Indian independence movement in 1928, and red was widely adopted by those pushing for social justice and equality.

In modern times, red continues to symbolize the struggle for change in various social and political movements, making it a color that embodies both celebration and resistance, depending on the context.

Poetry and Literature: Red has a strong presence in classical Urdu poetry. Poets often use red to symbolize the beauty of the beloved or the depth of pain and longing. For example, Mirza Ghalib frequently used color symbolism in his poetry, where red could represent intense love or powerful emotions.

2. Pink: Gulaabi

The Urdu word for “pink” is “gulaabi”, which is a non-gendered adjective. The word remains the same whether describing a male, female, or plural items. For instance,

• Ek gulaabi butti hai. (There is a pink light. – butti is feminine in Urdu)
• Ek gulaabi gulaab hai. (There is a pink rose. – gulaab is masculine in Urdu)
• Chaar gulaabi phool hain. (There are four pink flowers. – phool are masculine-plural)

“Gulaabi” originates from Farsi (Persian) and means “of roses”, symbolizing the soft, delicate pink color associated with roses.

Synonyms: Another common way to refer to the color pink is piyaazi which literally means oniony (or of the onion). And the color refers to the onion-like pink or reddish pink. A common form of piyaazi rung is gehra piyaazi which refers to a deeper, more intense pink or purple-pink shade.

Cultural Significance: The color gulaabi holds deep cultural significance in South Asia, symbolizing romance, femininity, beauty, and celebration. Its soft and vibrant hue evokes positive emotions and is celebrated in various aspects of life. It is a staple in festive occasions, from bridal attire to decorative themes, symbolizing grace and joy. Decorations in pink shades are also a staple for creating a warm and celebratory ambiance. The term “phool gulaabi” (pink flower) is used to describe radiant beauty, connecting pink to a person’s natural charm. Additionally, the color is prominent in textiles and crafts, including sarees, shalwar kameez, and truck art, embodying vibrancy and playfulness within South Asian culture.

Poetry and Literature: In Urdu poetry, pink (especially the shade of roses) often symbolizes beauty, romance, purity, and tenderness. Faiz Ahmed Faiz, for example, used the symbolism of roses and pink hues to express romantic and passionate themes in his poetry.

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Gulaabi Urdu is a Modern Form of Urdu? Gulaabi Urdu refers to a simplified, modern, and more colloquial form of the Urdu language, often used in casual or everyday conversations. The term “gulaabi” translates to “pink”, and when paired with “Urdu”, it evokes the idea of something light, soft, and approachable, much like the delicate nature of the color pink.

So, in this context, Gulaabi Urdu is used to describe a style of speaking that is free from the heavy influence of Arabic or Persian vocabulary, making it more accessible and easier to understand for a wider audience. It often reflects the way Urdu is spoken in urban settings, particularly in India and Pakistan, where the language has evolved to incorporate more contemporary expressions and a lighter tone.

While Gulaabi Urdu is not an official or standardized form of the language, it is used informally to describe the conversational, less formal variety of Urdu that relies on simpler vocabulary and grammar. It’s often seen as modern, youthful, and relatable, compared to the more classical and formal registers of Urdu used in literature and traditional poetry.

In essence, Gulaabi Urdu represents the everyday, friendly, and approachable side of the language, much like how pink is seen as a gentle and accessible color.

3. Blue: Neela

The Urdu word for “blue” is “neela”, a gendered adjective originating from Farsi (Persian). Like other gendered adjectives in Urdu, the ending sound of “neela” changes depending on the gender of the noun it describes. For example,

• Ek neeli butti hai. (There is a blue light.) – The word “neeli” aligns with the feminine noun butti (light).
• Ek neela chumcha hai. (There is a blue spoon.) – Here, “neela” corresponds to the masculine noun chumcha (spoon).
• Chaar neelay phool hain. (There are four blue flowers.) – In this case, “neelay” matches the masculine-plural noun phool (flowers).

Cultural Significance: In South Asian culture, including Pakistan, neela holds rich symbolic and cultural meanings. It is often associated with protection, spirituality, and tranquility. Blue beads, known as “neeli moti,” are widely used as talismans to ward off the evil eye. These beads are hung in homes, cars, or worn as jewelry, reflecting a practice shared across South Asia and the Middle East.

Blue is a color of calmness and peace, deeply connected to Islamic traditions in the region. It is prominently featured in the interiors of mosques, such as the Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta, and in intricate tile art, symbolizing serenity and divine connection.

The neelam (sapphire) gemstone is highly regarded in South Asia. It is believed to bring luck, prosperity, and protection, and many people consult astrologers before wearing a neelam ring to ensure its alignment with their zodiac sign.

In modern times, blue plays a vibrant role in truck art, a celebrated form of cultural expression in Pakistan, showcasing the color’s continuing significance in daily life. From its spiritual connotations to its protective and artistic uses, neela remains a profound and multifaceted element of South Asian cultural identity.

Poetry and Literature: In Urdu literature, the phrase “neela aasmaan” (blue sky) or “neela sumunder” (blue sea) is considered poetic and romantic, and symbolizes infinite possibilities, or deep emotions such as freedom or hope.

4. Green: Hura (Also spelled Hara)

The Urdu word for “green” is “hura”, a gendered adjective that originates from Sanskrit. In Urdu, the ending sound of this word changes based on the gender of the associated noun. For example:

• Ek huri butti hai. (There is a green light. – butti is feminine in Urdu)
• Ek hura chumcha hai. (There is a green spoon. – chumcha is masculine in Urdu)
• Chaar huray phool hain. (There are four green flowers. – phool are masculine-plural)

Huraapun refers to the state or quality of being hura, and it is used to describe the condition of something being fresh, lush, or vibrant in a metaphorical sense. It conveys the essence of the color green, often associated with growth, vitality, and fertility. In a broader context, it can be used to describe something that is flourishing, youthful, or in a state of renewal, much like how green is seen in nature. In essence, this term reflects not only the color, but also the emotional or environmental impact that green has, symbolizing vitality, calm, and rejuvenation.

Synonyms: Another common way to refer to the color green is subz, symbolizing freshness, fertility, and life. Akhzer, a more formal or poetic word of Arabic origin, is often used in literature to describe a rich and deep green shade. Dhaani refers to a light, delicate green, similar to the color of unripe grains or young leaves, and is commonly used in descriptions of nature and textiles. Kaai, on the other hand, refers to a greenish hue with a slight brown undertone, resembling moss or algae, and is typically associated with earthy and natural tones.

Cultural Significance: Green holds a profound cultural and spiritual significance in South Asia, particularly in Islamic traditions. In Islam, green is associated with paradise, renewal, and peace, making it a highly revered color. This symbolism is evident in Pakistan’s national flag, where green represents Islam and the Muslim majority.

In traditional attire and festivities, green is often worn during celebrations such as Eid, signifying joy and spirituality. The use of green in truck art, mosques, and home decorations reflects its importance as a color of positivity and prosperity. Additionally, shades like dhaani (a light green) are popular in South Asian textiles and crafts, adding vibrancy to cultural aesthetics.

Poetry and Literature: In Urdu poetry, green is frequently used to symbolize nature, hope, and vitality. Poets often describe lush landscapes, the rejuvenation of spring, or the freshness of life using green imagery. For instance, the word subz often appears in couplets to evoke images of growth and renewal.

Classical poets such as Ghalib and Mir have incorporated green in their verses to signify life’s flourishing beauty or to contrast the joy of nature with human melancholy. Green is also a symbol of youth and optimism, making it a recurring motif in South Asian poetic traditions.

5. Black: Kaala

The Urdu word for “black” is “kaala”, a gendered adjective that originates from Sanskrit. In Urdu, the ending sound of this word changes based on the gender and plurality of the associated noun. For example:

• Ek kaali kumeez hai. (There is a black shirt. – kumeez is feminine in Urdu)
• Ek kaala chushma hai. (There is black glasses. – chushma is masculine in Urdu)
• Chaar kaalay purday hain. (There are four black curtains. – purday are masculine-plural)

In some other South Asian languages such as Hindi and Punjabi, the word for black is the same, i.e., kaala.

Kaaluk is the noun for this adjective and refers to blackness or soot.

Synonyms: Another common term for the color black is “siyaah”, a Persian-origin word. It is often used in poetic or metaphorical contexts to symbolize darkness or misfortune.

Cultural Significance: The word “kaala” in South Asian context represents power, mystery, spirituality, and occasionally misfortune. In Pakistani traditions, black is commonly worn at funerals and religious gatherings to signify respect and mourning. It’s also a popular choice for formal attire at weddings and celebrations, symbolizing elegance and sophistication.

The color is widely believed to offer protection, with practices like applying a “kaala teeka” (a black mark) to ward off the evil eye or using black threads to repel negative energies prevalent in South Asian countries, including India and Pakistan.

Despite its positive connotations, black can also evoke misfortune and fear, as reflected in expressions like kaala jaadu (black magic) and idioms like moonh kaala kerna (to blacken one’s face, meaning disgrace). Additionally, black has served as a powerful symbol of resistance, often worn during protests to convey solidarity or dissent.

Poetry and Literature: In poetry and literature, the color kaala holds deep metaphorical significance. It often symbolizes mystery, sorrow, and beauty, evoking feelings of sadness, longing, or even fascination. Black is commonly used to describe the darkness of night, the depths of the soul, or the complexities of emotions. In Urdu poetry, it is a symbol of intensity, frequently associated with both mournful beauty and the alluring yet unknown.

One of the most famous examples of kaala in Urdu poetry comes from the renowned poet Allama Iqbal. In his celebrated poem “Kaali Zulfon Kay Phunday,” Iqbal uses the image of kaali zulfon (black tresses) to convey the powerful yet tragic nature of love. The poem beautifully captures the bittersweet emotions of a lover drawn to the darkness of his beloved’s hair—a powerful metaphor for the pull of love, with all its beauty and potential sorrow:

“Kaali kaali zulfon kay phunday na daalo,
Humen zinda rehnay dou, ay husn vaalon!”
(Don’t trap us with the coils of your black hair, let us stay alive, oh people of beauty!)

Here, kaala serves as a metaphor for the enchanting yet potentially destructive power of love, highlighting its dual nature of beauty and despair. This duality is a common theme in Urdu poetry, where black often signifies both beauty and melancholy, mystery and danger.

The word kaala has been deeply embedded in Urdu culture, appearing in literature, poetry, and idiomatic expressions. Beyond its literal meaning, it conveys themes of mystery, beauty, and sometimes negativity. For example, Sufi mystics associate black with humility and divine surrender, reflecting the idea of surrendering oneself to a higher power. In descriptions of kaali zulfen (black hair) or kaali raat (dark night), black frequently evokes sorrow, mystery, or allure—an ever-present symbol of both beauty and complexity in Urdu art and literature.

6. White: Sufaid (also spelled Safaid)

The Urdu word for “white” is “sufaid”, a non-gendered adjective that comes from Persian. In Urdu, the ending sound of this word remains the same regardless of the gender or number of the associated noun. For example:

• Ek sufaid billi hai. (There is a white (female) cat.)
• Ek sufaid billa hai. (There is a white (male) cat.)
• Chaar sufaid paanday hain. (There are four white pandas. – paanday are masculine-plural)

The word “sufaid” can also mean milky.

Sufaid-posh is a Persian-origin term used for someone who dresses in white clothing. It can symbolize a person who has the means to afford fine clothing, often refers to a middle-class individual or a white-collar worker. The term can also refer to someone who is respectable or dignified in society.

In some contexts, sufaid-posh represents virtue or purity, as the color white often symbolizes innocence, cleanliness, and spirituality in many cultures. This term is commonly used in literature and idiomatic expressions, referring to someone who is either well-off or embodies moral uprightness. So, whether it’s a man dressed in white or a middle-class person, sufaid-posh conveys a sense of respect and status.

Cultural Significance: The color sufaid holds strong cultural, spiritual, and symbolic meaning, particularly in South Asia, including Pakistan. It’s tied to purity, peace, and cleanliness. White is a prominent part of national symbols, like the white crescent and star on Pakistan’s flag, representing peace and harmony. White is also a color of choice for weddings and religious events, worn to convey both solemnity and joy.

Poetry and Literature: In literature and poetry, white often symbolizes innocence and divinity. For example, images of white roses or white doves evoke serenity and grace. However, white can also carry more complex meanings, like mourning or loss. In some cultures, it is worn , during funerals as a mark of respect for the departed.

7. Brown: Bhoora

The Urdu word for “brown” is “bhoora”, a commonly used gendered adjective that changes depending on the gender or plurality of the noun it describes. For example:

• Ek bhoori billi hai. (There is a brown (female) cat.)
• Ek bhoora kutta hai. (There is a brown (male) dog)
• Chaar bhooray bunder hain. (There are four brown monkeys.)

The origins of “bhoora” trace back to Sanskrit, where “bhur” referred to a reddish-brown or tawny shade. This word later found its way into Persian and eventually Urdu. Beyond color, “bhoora” can also describe someone very fair-skinned or something with a soil-like hue.

Synonyms: A commonly used synonym for “bhoora” is “kutthai” (also spelled katthai), which refers to a brown or catechu-like chocolaty shade, also derived from Sanskrit. Other poetic or contextual synonyms include “kustoori” (musk-like brown, used in literary works, and also spelled kastoori) and “khaaki” (dusty brown, often used for earthy tones or uniforms).

Cultural Significance: In agrarian societies like Pakistan and India, where land plays a central role in livelihoods and traditions, bhoora symbolizes grounding and simplicity, reflecting the deep connection to rural life. Shades of brown are often seen in traditional attire, signifying modesty and practicality. The color also holds a prominent place in South Asian interiors and crafts, appearing in wooden furniture, clay pottery, and natural dyes used in block printing.

Earthy tones are cherished in handwoven textiles like khaddar and ajrak, popular for daily wear and seasonal festivities.

Beyond its practical uses, bhoora carries a sense of nostalgia, evoking memories of mud houses, earthen utensils, and the comforting aroma of chai—a cultural staple throughout the region.

The word “bhoora” is deeply connected to nature and culture, frequently used to describe elements like soil, bark, or hair. Its earthy and warm associations lend it versatility in Urdu poetry, where it evokes feelings of nostalgia, simplicity, and connection to the natural world.

Poetry and Literature: While direct mentions of “bhoora” or “kutthai” in classical Urdu poetry are rare, their associated imagery—such as earthiness, warmth, and natural beauty—often appears in descriptions of rural landscapes, soil, and simplicity. In poetry, “bhoori mitti” (brown soil) is often used to symbolize a connection to one’s roots or the earth’s nurturing nature. A recurring theme in folk poetry is the bond between the land and its people. However, these colors are not frequently mentioned directly in poetry.

8. Yellow: Peela

The Urdu word for “yellow” is “peela”, a versatile, gendered adjective that changes depending on the gender or plurality of the noun it describes. For example:

• Ek peeli pencil hai. (There is a yellow pencil. – pencil is feminine in Urdu.)
• Ek peela qulum hai. (There is a yellow pen. – pen is masculine in Urdu.)
• Chaar peelay qulum hain. (There are four yellow pens. – pen is masculine-plural.)

The word “peela“, much like “bhoora“, originates from Sanskrit, where it means yellow or pale.

Synonyms: In Urdu, various words describe shades of yellow, including zurd (yellow), zaafraani (saffron-colored), kesari (golden or saffron), and aaftaabi (sunny or sunlight-hued). These terms originate from Persian and reflect the diverse tones of yellow, from the brightness of the sun to the richness of saffron.

Cultural Significance: In South Asian culture, peela holds deep symbolic and ceremonial value, representing happiness, prosperity, and spiritual energy. It plays a key role in traditional celebrations like weddings and festivals. During the haldi (pronounce: huldi) ceremony, a pre-wedding ritual, turmeric paste is applied to the bride and groom, symbolizing purity and blessings for their new journey together.

Shades of yellow are also prominent in traditional South Asian attire, from vibrant saris and shalwar kameez to festive lehngas. Earthy tones like zaafraani (saffron) evoke luxury and spirituality, often reserved for religious ceremonies or worn by ascetics. In Hindu traditions, yellow is considered auspicious and offered as flowers during prayers. In Islamic culture, the simplicity of yellow tones in clothing and décor signifies modesty and balance. The color is also central to the spring festival of Basant, where yellow kites fill the skies, and people wear yellow to welcome renewal and joy.

Beyond rituals, peela embodies warmth and optimism, drawing connections to the sun (aaftaabi) and saffron (zaafraani)—elements intertwined with the heritage of the region. Whether in marigold garlands, golden-hued spices, or sunny motifs, peela reflects the essence of energy and cultural richness in South Asia.

Poetry and Literature: Direct mentions of peela (yellow) or its synonyms in classical Urdu poetry are limited, but its symbolic undertones often appear in metaphorical expressions. For instance, zaafraani (saffron yellow) is a recurring motif in poetry, symbolizing wealth, divine blessings, and spiritual purity. This imagery is tied to saffron fields and golden light, which poets use to convey themes of luxury and spirituality.

Yellow is also used to depict fragility or melancholy, as seen in references to pale faces, wilted flowers, or the fading hues of autumn. These metaphors enrich the emotional depth of poetry, touching on themes of nature, introspection, and human vulnerability. A popular modern example is the song “Kesariya”, where kesariya (a saffron or orange-yellow shade) symbolizes warmth, devotion, and love in a romantic context.

9. Orange: Naarunji (also spelled Naranji)

The color “orange” is called “naarunji” in Urdu. Derived from Arabic, naarunji is a non-gendered adjective, meaning its form remains unchanged regardless of the gender or number of the noun it describes. For example:

• Ek naarunji pencil hai. (There is an orange pencil. – “Pencil” is feminine in Urdu.)
• Ek naarunji billa hai. (There is an orange cat. – “Billa” is masculine.)
• Chaar naarunji paanday hain. (There are four orange pandas. – “Paanday” is masculine plural.)

Synonyms: In addition to “naarunji“, other words for orange in Urdu include “sungtari” (derived from the fruit, orange, “santara“) and “zaafraani” (saffron-colored, often used in poetic and literary contexts to describe golden-orange hues). While “naarunji” specifically refers to the bright orange hue, “zaafraani” carries a more golden, saffron-like warmth.

Cultural Significance: In both India and Pakistan, the color orange holds deep cultural, spiritual, and symbolic meaning. It is a color of vitality, optimism, and connection to the sun, evoking feelings of energy, growth, and positivity. Whether it appears in religious attire, festive decorations, or daily life, orange plays a significant role in the cultural and spiritual expressions of both countries, symbolizing sacred and celebratory aspects of life.

In South Asian culture, orange is closely linked with spirituality and warmth. The saffron (zaafraani) shade, in particular, carries deep cultural significance. It is prominently featured during Basant, the spring festival, and in the robes of ascetics, symbolizing spiritual devotion and enlightenment. Bright orange tones also adorn traditional attire, marigold garlands, and the vibrant hues of spices like turmeric, all of which infuse the culture with warmth and energy.

In India, orange—often referred to as saffron or kesariya—is especially revered in religious and spiritual contexts. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the color symbolizes purity, sacrifice, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Monks, ascetics, and spiritual leaders wear saffron-colored robes to signify their commitment to selflessness and discipline. Additionally, orange is associated with deities such as Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman, who are often depicted in this color. During major Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi, and Navratri, orange is widely used in decorations, clothing, and rituals, believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. The color also plays a key role in the Indian national flag, representing courage and sacrifice, especially in reference to the country’s freedom struggle.

In Pakistan, while orange does not hold the same religious weight as it does in India, it still carries cultural significance. In the Sufi tradition, a key aspect of Pakistan’s spiritual heritage, saffron symbolizes divine light and spiritual awakening. Orange is frequently seen in the attire of Sufi saints, signifying their connection to the divine. The color also features in cultural celebrations, including Eid and weddings, where it is used in clothing, decorations, and ceremonial items. In these contexts, orange symbolizes warmth, joy, and energy, celebrating the spirit of the occasion.

Poetry and Literature: The word naarunji is less commonly used in classical Urdu poetry. While direct references to naarunji are rare, its synonyms—especially zaafraani—appear more often in poetic imagery. One notable example is in Allama Iqbal’s famous poem, “Tulu-e-Islam” (“The Rise of Islam”). In this poem, Iqbal metaphorically links the color zaafraani (saffron) with the rising sun and the dawn of a new era for Islam. The saffron color symbolizes warmth, purity, and spiritual energy, elements that Iqbal associates with the revival of the Muslim world.

A specific line from “Tulu-e-Islam” is:

“Zaafraani rung say raushun hai her ek soorut“
(Translation: “Every image is illuminated with the saffron hue”)

Here, zaafraani (saffron) represents the awakening or renewal of a community or movement, symbolizing hope and the promise of a vibrant, spiritually enriched future. Though zaafraani doesn’t appear frequently throughout Iqbal’s poetry, its use in this particular context is potent, encapsulating strength, spirituality, and the anticipation of change. The color is often linked to autumn leaves, saffron fields, and the golden glow of twilight—evoking warmth, longing, and divine beauty. In contemporary music, words like “kesariya” (closely related to zaafraani) are commonly used in romantic and devotional songs, adding depth and passion to expressions of love and spiritual devotion.

10. Purple: Jaamni

The color “purple” is called “jaamni” in Urdu. Derived from Sanskrit, jaamni is a non-gendered adjective, meaning its form remains unchanged regardless of the gender or number of the noun it describes. For example:

• Ek jaamni pencil hai. (There is a purple pencil. – “Pencil” is feminine in Urdu.)
• Ek jaamni glass hai. (There is a purple glass. – “Glass” is masculine.)
• Chaar jaamni glass hain. (There are four purple glasses. – “Glass” is masculine-plural.)

The origin of the term jaamni lies in the fruit “jaamun” (Indian/Pakistani blackberry), known for its deep mauve, purple-like color. This fruit’s distinctive shade of purple is reflected in the name, giving us the color jaamni in Urdu.

Synonyms: Another commonly used term for purple in Urdu is “bengani“, which comes from the “bengun” (eggplant/brinjal), a vegetable with a similar rich, deep purple hue. Other terms related to purple include “ooda” and “arghvaani“, which refer more specifically to the violet or lavender shades of purple.

Cultural Significance: In both South Asian cultures, purple—or jaamni in Urdu—holds a place of importance, symbolizing various concepts such as royalty, spirituality, and luxury. The richness of purple is often associated with nobility and the elite, traditionally worn by royalty or people of high social status. Historically, purple dye was expensive and hard to produce, adding to its association with wealth and prestige. In modern-day South Asia, jaamni is used in clothing, particularly in formal wear and wedding attire, where it exudes a sense of elegance and sophistication.

Historically, purple has been associated with royalty and high status, particularly in the Mughal Empire. The Mughal emperors, known for their lavishness and grandeur, often wore garments dyed in jaamni or bengani, and the palaces were decorated with shades of purple to reflect their prestige and nobility. Purple was a color that symbolized wealth and power due to the high cost and rarity of the dyes needed to produce it. In royal courts, purple was used in clothing, draperies, and ceremonial items to mark importance and distinction.

Jaamni is a popular color in modern wedding attire across South Asia, especially for formal and evening wear. In India, the bridal sarees or lehengas may include shades of purple, representing luxury and elegance. Similarly, in Pakistan, purple is often used in the clothing worn during festive occasions like Eid or wedding celebrations, adding vibrancy and richness to the event. This color is typically chosen for its ability to evoke joy and celebration, while still maintaining a sense of sophistication and timelessness. Similarly, jaamni is used in the celebration of the Basant festival (the spring festival), where the color appears in kites, clothing, and decorations, symbolizing joy and renewal. The festival celebrates the arrival of spring and the vibrant colors of nature, with purple hues adding a sense of beauty and liveliness to the festivities.

In addition to its regal connotations, jaamni is also linked to spirituality and mysticism. It is often seen in the attire of Sufi saints, especially during spiritual gatherings, where the color symbolizes deep connection to the divine and represents the merging of the earthly with the spiritual. The color is said to evoke calmness and reflection, making it ideal for use in sacred spaces and during moments of introspection.

Furthermore, purple is tied to the cultural landscape of the region in the form of jaamun (Indian blackberry), the fruit that gives its name to the color. The fruit’s deep purple hue is a symbol of nature’s beauty and richness, and its connection to the natural world imbues the color with a sense of vitality and life. In contemporary contexts, jaamni is seen in fashion, decorations, and celebrations, symbolizing creativity, passion, and mystery.

Poetry and Literature: Direct mentions of the color purple (jaamni) and its shades in poetry, literature, and songs are rare. However, the color holds a metaphorical presence, evoking emotions of love, longing, beauty, and mysticism.

In the world of colors, each “rung” tells a unique story, reflecting the rich tapestry of culture, emotions, and history. Whether it’s the warmth of peela (yellow), the mystery of kaala (black), or the simplicity of bhoora (brown), every color adds its own hue to the vibrant canvas of life, connecting us to our roots, traditions, and the beauty around us.

What’s your favorite color, and why do you like it? Do you now know how to say it in Urdu? How do the colors you love make you feel? Colors are more than just shades – they carry meaning, stories, and a deep cultural connection. Embrace the colors, for they are the silent storytellers of our world.

The post The Basic Colors in Urdu – Their Meanings, Origins, and Cultural Significance in South Asia and Urdu Poetry appeared first on Learn Urdu With Annie.

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Some time ago, a new album of Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was released by Real World Records. They aptly named it “Chain of Light” from one of the album’s songs, where the words beautifully declare: “Every breath of mine is related to His chain of light.” This release feels like a gift to the listeners of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who long to hear some of his precious songs again and again.

Among these newfound treasures, was also a beautiful Persian piece by Amir Khusrow whose words coupled by Khan’s melody sent an instant spark through my soul. There was one small hitch, though—I am not a Farsi speaker. But since I know Urdu which has Persian as one of its roots, I could grasp fragments in the poem: some full words, some half-formed meanings, but not all.

My curiosity drove me to seek translations online. However, the interpretations varied, with the meanings often influenced by the translator’s perspective. This drove me further to find the exact meaning behind the Persian words in each line to understand Khusrow’s poetry for myself.  Because, after all, to truly feel a verse, one must first understand it.

So, here I invite you to join me on this journey of understanding these words of Ishq (love), first through their direct meaning, and then my interpretative translation. Let’s unravel the mysticism, beauty, and soul-stirring imagery of this poem, one verse at a time.

Understanding Ishq (love):

Before diving into Khusrow’s verses, let us first explore the concept of Ishq—a recurring theme that you would often find in Persian and Sufi poetry of South Asia. At its simplest, Ishq translates to love, but its etymology is what gives it a weight far beyond the ordinary. Some scholars trace it to the the Arabic word “ashaq” meaning to cling or stick—symbolizing love as something that clings to a lover’s heart. Others link it to the ancient Iranian word “Ish” from Avestan, meaning to wish, desire, or search. Either way, understand that Ishq isn’t merely love, but a consuming passion that becomes a person’s ultimate desire. In the Sufi context, love is a divine feeling—an unparalleled connection with God. Romantic love, love for humanity, animals, or even knowledge, are reflections or extensions of this divine bond.

It is important to understand this divine status of love because this is why you would so often see the concept of sacrificing one’s whole self for love in Persian, Urdu or Hindi poetry. In comparison with the love divine, nothing else hold any importance.

Now, with this understanding of Ishq in mind, we dive into the meaning and interpretation of this beautiful poem.

Verse 1: Tonight’s News – Anticipation and Love

Khabaram [News to me] | raseeda [arrived] | imshab [tonight] | ki [that] | nigaar [beloved] | khuaahī [will] | aamad [come]

sar [head] | -e-man [-of-mine] | fidaa [sacrifice] | -e-raah [-on-road] | ki [that (on which that)] | savaar [rider] | khuaahī [(you) will] | aamad [come]

Khabaram raseeda imshab ki nigaar khuaahī aamad
sar-e-man fidaa-e-raah ki savaar khuaahī aamad

Tonight I received the news, O beloved you will come,
My head be sacrificed upon the road on which O rider you will come,

The opening line carries a beautiful, indirect announcement that the beloved will come. I love the indirect nature of this verse. I think it points toward its ambiguous nature that still fills me with absolute hope and ecstasy, even though there’s no confirmation or evidence, that my beloved will come.

Here, Amir Khusrow uses the word “Nigaar”, meaning beloved. In Farsi, it also has another meaning: “beautiful,” symbolizing how love intertwines with beauty. Intriguingly, in Urdu, Nigaar also appears as a suffix in work tied to creative professions, like afsaana-nigaar (story writer) or khaaka-nigaar (sketch artist). I wonder if the two meanings are connected. Could this hint at act of creating beauty?

Coming back to the poem, since the idea of love is so exalted, it’s not just the beloved who is important, but even the simplest things connected to the divine become sacred. Why the road though? Isn’t it a bit of a stretch to say that I be sacrificed on that road? Consider it this way, it is that road which brings the divine beloved to me. It symbolizes a medium of reunion with the beloved, and for that, it deserves the ultimate devotion that I am ready to sacrifice my head on this road.

Verse 2: When Beauty Surrenders to Love

hama [all] | aahu(aan) [gazelle(s) – an Iranian gazelles species] | e-sehra [-of-desert] | sar [head] | -e-khud [-of-themselves] | nihaada [placed] | bar [upon] | kaf [hand]

ba-umeed [have-hope (hopeful)] | aan [that (ties to the hope)] | ki [that (ties to the day)] | roz(e) [day (on which)] | ba-shikaar [for-hunt] | khuaahī [(you) will] | aamad [come]

hama aahuaan-e-sehra sar-e-khud nihaada bar-kaf
ba-umeed aan ki roze ba-shikaar khuaahī aamad

All gazelles of the deserts have placed their heads on their hands,
Hopeful that one day, to hunt them, you will come,

Gazelle is a symbol of beauty in Persian and Urdu poetry. It’s an antelope species mostly found in the deserts of the Middle East and South Asia. A fun-fact, the word gazelle is actually derived from its Arabic name, “Ghazaal”. Some linguist claim that the word “ghazal” (a type of poem) is also linked to the gazelle. Gazelle has beautiful, big black eyes, elegant bearing, and swift movements to trick even the most vicious of the hunters. Many poems compare the beloved to a gazelle. In this verse, however, Khusrow flips the metaphor. Instead of evading its hunter, the gazelle places its head willingly in their hands—a profound act of submission.

Take special note of this point: The gazelles know that the one who will come is their hunter. Still, they, who are famous for their swiftness and graceful evasion of the hunter, have become easy prey for him. Wow, what beauty of my beloved upon whom the symbols of beauty are ready to be sacrificed. How exquisitely the poet has drawn this comparison! What brilliance in imagery!

Verse 3: Love’s Irresistible Pull – A Lover’s Hope

kashish(e) [allure (of)] | ki [that] | ishq [love] | daarad [has] | na-guzaardaat [not-allow] | ba-deen saan [in-this manner]

ba-janaaza [on-funeral] | gar [if] | na [not] | aaya [come] | ba-mazaar [on-shrine] | khuaahī [(you) will] | aamad [come]

kashishe ki ishq daarad na-guzaardaat ba-deen saan
ba-janaaza gar na-aaya ba-mazaar khuaahī aamad

Allure that love has will not let you remain this way,
Even if you won’t come to my funeral, on my shrine you will come,

“Kashish” means attraction or allure. What happens when you apply the force of attraction on something? It disrupts equilibrium and, ultimately, draws it closer towards you. Such a romantic interpretation of Newton’s laws! Here, Ishq is the catalyst that creates this force of attraction that disturbs the beloved’s equilibrium of life. My hope is in my love that it will bring the beloved to me. In Urdu, we say, “Main khincha chala aaya” (I was pulled towards you), capturing this irresistible pull.

Here is another beautiful and pure element in Sufi love. It defines love as selflessness instead of selfishness. The lover does not speak of the beloved as their possession or something they deserve or something they should have. Instead, the lover sees himself as blessed to even be considered worthy by the beloved. Here Khusrow beautifully describes this concept, saying it doesn’t matter if the beloved doesn’t come in my life. It even doesn’t matter if he doesn’t come in my funeral, but I have complete faith in my love that one day he will consider me worthy, even if only to bring him at my shrine.

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Verse 4: Why Arrive When I’m Already Gone? An Innocent Question

ba-lab(am) [on-lips(my)] | raseeda [arrived] | jaan(am) [life/soul(my)] | tu [you] | biya [come] | ki [that/so] | zinda [alive] | maan(am) [remain/alive(I)]

pas [then] | az aan [from/after that] | ki [that/which] | man [read mun] [I] | na-maan(am) [not-remain/alive(I)] | ba-che [for-what] | kaar [work/do] | khuaahī [(you) will] | aamad [come]

ba-labam raseeda jaanam tu biya ki zinda maanam
pas az aan ki man na-maanam ba-che kaar khuaahī aamad

My soul has come up to my lips, come so I remain alive,
Then afterwards, what will you do when you come? (After I am dead, why would you come?)

Ironically, this verse contradicts the bold assertion of my previous explanation, LOL. But if you look closely at the tone of both verses, you’ll notice that while the last verse was a claim of confidence for Khusrow’s love, this verse is a pure and innocent enticement that he attempts toward his beloved. It’s like a child pleading with their mom, ‘If I don’t eat the ice cream now, what will I do with it when my tummy’s full?’ Khusrow, in his poetic plea, demonstrates a similar urgency and innocence.

I am about to die, I am just on the very edge of death. Your arrival is the only thing that can pull me back to life. If I am already dead, what will you do if you come then? There will be nothing for you to do then. So, just come now please.

Verse 5: The Lover’s Paradox: Yearning for More Yet Fearing It

ba-yak [on-one] | aamadan [arrival] | ruboodi [stole/took away] | dil-o- [heart-and-] | deen-o- [faith-and-] | sabr [patience] | -e-Khusrow [of Khusrow]

che [what] | shavad [would become] | agar [if] | ba-deen saan [in-this manner] | do-seh [two-three] | baar [times] | khuaahī [(you) will] | aamad [come]

ba-yak aamadan ruboodī dil-o-dīn-o-sabr-e-Khusrow
che shavad agar ba-deen-saan do-seh baar khuaahī aamad

(Just) one arrival (you) took away Khusro’s heart, faith, and patience,
What will happen if just like this, you come two to three times?

Oh my! What a beautifully fitting verse to end this ode of a lover’s dream. It is a rare sight to see the Dil (heart), Deen (faith), and Sabar (patience) all mentioned together in a verse. The essence of these words are very different from each other, yet they are closely tied as well. Heart symbolizes worldly life, and is the vessel of hopes and desires, deen symbolizes spirit, and is the faith that the lover possesses towards his spiritual dreams and desires. While patience is the virtue of a true lover who keeps his spiritual hopes and worldly desires alive through his strong faith. And just one arrival of the beloved stole the heart, the faith, and the patience of Khusrow, essentially taking away all the aspects that make up a lover’s life.

Yet Khusrow goes one step further and ends on a note of more humility, He expresses his hope that the beloved will come again and again. But also highlights his fear, that if just one visit took away his everything, what will it even look like if there are more visits like this. This paradox—of wanting more while fearing it—reflects the intensity of love, where the lover is simultaneously fulfilled but still left yearning. Khabaram Raseeda Imshab takes me on a journey through the heart of Sufi poetry and Qawwali, beautifully brought to life by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The connection only deepens with the understanding of its words. It begins with the excited anticipation of a lover, transcends into exclamation of the extent of his love, marvels at the beauty of the beloved, then boldly declares the allure of his love, humbly denounces his self, then innocently tries to entice his beloved, and ends on a note of humility that even though one visit has already taken everything, the I still yearns for more, knowing there is nothing left to lose. Yet, in this surrender, a flicker of hope endures—a desire to see the beloved again and again, endlessly.

A Final Reflection: Threads of Meaning, Woven Together

Khabaram Raseeda Imshab takes me on a journey through the heart of Sufi poetry and Qawwali, beautifully brought to life by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The connection only deepens with the understanding of its words. It begins with the excited anticipation of a lover, transcends into exclamation of the extent of his love, marvels at the beauty of the beloved, then boldly declares the allure of his love, humbly denounces his self, then innocently tries to entice his beloved, and ends on a note of humility that even though one visit has already taken everything, the I still yearns for more, knowing there is nothing left to lose. Yet, in this surrender, a flicker of hope endures—a desire to see the beloved again and again, endlessly.

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Learning a new language offers many unique benefits for improving critical thinking skills. Language learning involves acquiring and processing a large amount of new information, which helps develop and strengthen your cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. It exposes us to unique cultural viewpoints and perspectives, leading to more open-minded and empathetic thinking.

The cognitive demands of learning a new language, including grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, require attention to detail, which can carry over into other areas of life. A review of the literature by Bialystok and Martin (2004) found that bilingualism is associated with enhanced problem-solving and decision-making skills and improved executive control abilities (which are involved in planning, attention, and flexibility). Learning a new language can improve critical thinking skills by expanding one’s perspective and increasing attention to detail. Also, the challenges of communicating in a foreign language and the mental flexibility and adaptability required can improve problem-solving skills.

Expand perspective

One of the primary benefits of learning a new language is the opportunity it provides to expose us to new cultural viewpoints and ways of thinking. This is because language and culture are deeply interconnected. The words and phrases we use, structure sentences, and even think about the world are all influenced by the language we speak. It can help you develop a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the world around you.

Consider the concept of time. In English, we often think of time as a linear progression from the past to the present to the future. In contrast, in many indigenous cultures, time is often thought of as cyclical or circular, with events in the past influencing the present and the future. This difference in perspective can be seen in the way different languages talk about time.

Learning a new language allows us to experience these cultural differences firsthand and to develop a greater appreciation for other ways of thinking. For example, learning Urdu will allow you to understand the cultural perspectives of a region with a rich history and diverse cultural traditions. Learning French will give you insight into the different perspectives of francophone cultures. And learning Spanish, spoken in many Hispanic countries, will help you gain a deeper understanding of the Hispanic world.

In addition to exposing us to new cultural viewpoints, learning a new language can also lead to more open-minded and empathetic thinking. By immersing ourselves in a new culture and language, we are forced to consider things from a different perspective and to understand the experiences and thoughts of others. This can help you become more understanding and accepting of others, leading to more empathetic thinking.

Increase attention to detail

In addition to expanding our perspective, learning a new language also requires attention to detail, which can carry over into other areas of life. The cognitive demands of learning a new language, including grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, require focus and concentration. These skills are important for critical thinking because they allow us to analyze and evaluate information more effectively.

For example, in learning Urdu, you must pay attention to grammatical rules and sentence structure. This requires attention to detail, which can benefit critical thinking in other areas. In learning French, accurate pronunciation is crucial for effective communication. This attention to detail can help you to become more precise in your thinking and analysis. And in learning Spanish, mastering verb conjugations and sentence structure require a focus on detail that can improve your critical thinking ability.

In addition to these cognitive benefits, being detail-oriented can also have practical benefits for critical thinking. For example, in decision-making, paying attention to small details can often lead to finding the solution to the problem. Considering the small details can help us make more informed and well-thought-out decisions.

Improve problem-solving skills

When you learn a new language, you need to analyze and understand the rules and structures of the language to use it correctly. This process of analysis and understanding can help you develop critical thinking skills, such as identifying patterns, analyzing data, and evaluating arguments. You develop a more analytical and logical approach to problem-solving.

Communicating in a foreign language requires mental flexibility and adaptability, as we must find ways to express ourselves in a language that may have different sentence structures and vocabulary. This cognitive flexibility can be beneficial for problem-solving in other areas of life.

For example, in learning Urdu, you may have to figure out how to express yourself in a language with different sentence structures and word order. It will require you to think creatively and find new ways to communicate your thoughts and ideas. You may also have to navigate cultural norms and expectations that are different from your own. This requires you to be adaptable and to find ways to communicate effectively in a new cultural context.

In addition to the mental flexibility and adaptability required for communication, learning a new language also requires problem-solving skills in other areas. For example, you may have to figure out how to learn new vocabulary or how to remember grammar rules. In learning Spanish, you must adapt to the use of gender in nouns and adjectives, which can be a challenge if you are not used to this aspect of the language. These skills can be transferable to other areas of life, such as finding creative solutions to problems or coming up with new ideas.

While there are certainly other activities that can improve critical thinking skills, such as reading, writing, and engaging in discussions and debates, language learning offers some unique advantages that make it a particularly effective choice. In addition to the immediate benefits of language learning, there is also evidence to suggest that bilingualism and multilingualism can have long-term cognitive benefits, including improved problem-solving skills and enhanced critical-thinking abilities. So, if you’re looking to boost your critical thinking skills, learning a new language is an excellent choice to consider.

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Yes. And no. As someone who’s been speaking Urdu her entire life and now teaches it full-time, I believe there is no simple answer to this. Learning Urdu can be difficult or easy, depending on your approach. 

Several things may make learning Urdu difficult. You might find it unfamiliar due to its script and grammar conventions. Perhaps the lack of good quality resources (that suit your needs) might discourage you. On the other hand, you might find speaking Urdu easy if you have someone around you who speaks Urdu. So you may already know many Urdu words. 

But before we come to the approach of learning Urdu, the first step for you would be to find out why you even want to learn Urdu. Before diving into the technicalities of the language-learning process, it’s important to know your why. Knowing your reason(s) for learning any language will help shape your approach and experience in a way that relates to the end-goal that you wish to achieve by the means of knowing this language. Also, if any challenges come along the way, it’ll become a source of motivation for you. 

So, think for a moment. Why should one learn Urdu?

Why learn Urdu?

Urdu is a beautifully poetic language. By learning it, an entirely new world of poetry, music, and media becomes open to you. Pakistani dramas are watched all over the world by millions of people. There’s significant viewership in India, UK, USA, Afghanistan, Turkey, and countries in the Middle East, etc. Plus, who doesn’t know about Bollywood? If you know Urdu, watching Bollywood films becomes a lot more fun because spoken Urdu and spoken Hindi are quite similar. If you know conversational Urdu, you’ll understand conversational Hindi easily. So your efforts with one language will lead to learning two new languages. How cool is that?

Another significant reason for learning Urdu is the potential for connection. Urdu is the first language of around 70 million people! Another hundred million people worldwide speak Urdu as their second language. Learning this fascinating language, thus, allows you to connect with them. In addition, if one day you decide to travel to Pakistan or India, knowing Urdu can come in quite handy. Pakistan and India are both wonderfully diverse countries with many different languages. Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and hold an official status in India. Speaking Urdu means you’ll be able to connect with people from a variety of cultures. You’ll find it easier to explore these diverse countries in such meaningful ways that you’ll be amazed why you didn’t visit sooner!

Now, let’s move on to what hurdles you may encounter when learning Urdu. Awareness of potential challenges is important if you want to begin on the right note. It helps you mentally prepare yourself to tackle these challenges if and when they arise.

Initial Challenges for Urdu Learners

Different sentence structure: Urdu follows the SOV word order! 

If you take a generic look at Urdu and its sentence structure, you’ll find that it follows the SOV sentence structure (subject-object-verb). Although different from English, it’s not as uncommon as an English speaker might think. Many languages, including Korean, Japanese, Persian, and Turkish, use this sentence structure word order. In fact, SOV is present in 564 languages, making it the most common out of all the other sentence structures! So, don’t be daunted by it. Chances are, if you speak any language other than English, you’re already familiar with this word order. If not, it’s still okay! All you need is some practice, and you’ll master it in no time.

Grammar: Objects also have genders in Urdu

Urdu is a gendered language. This might confuse you if you speak a non-gendered language (e.g., English). Why is a chair (kursi) feminine, but a piece of cloth (kupra) masculine? What’s the point of this gendering system for inanimate objects? Well, this gendering system is just one way to create the melody of Urdu sentences. 

Just note that Urdu is not the only language that follows this system. French, Arabic, Spanish, and Hindi are four widely spoken languages worldwide, and they’re all gendered! The gender patterns they follow are quite similar to Urdu as well. For instance, the default gender is masculine. For mixed-gender groups, Urdu uses male forms of verbs. And feminine words are usually derived from masculine words, such as jethaani (meaning: brother-in-law’s wife) from jeth (meaning: brother-in-law) in Urdu. 

So, if you’re intimidated by the grammatical specifics of Urdu, don’t worry. Many native speakers also get confused. As you keep learning, you’ll get the hang of the grammar. Even if you make a few mistakes along the way, it’s okay. Language learning is a long-life journey. Nobody expects you to be perfect. Many Urdu speakers would be happy to correct and guide you if you’re confused about word usage. 

Non-Latin script

A major concern for Urdu learners can be the non-Latin script, especially if their first language uses the Latin script (like English or French). Sometimes, Urdu is written in the English script (called English transliteration or Roman Urdu), and you’ll find many resources like this online. I believe that language learning should be inclusive and accessible to everyone. I use English transliteration in my classes and learning tools, so you don’t have to learn Urdu script first to speak Urdu. This is because verbal communication is at the core of human interaction. So, my classes are geared towards teaching colloquial, conversational Urdu. The focus is on listening, understanding, and speaking. 

Of course, that does require reading and writing, but all of it is in Roman Urdu. It gives you the space to learn Urdu conversation first. You can communicate in Urdu without worrying about learning a new script. Another reason for using English transliteration is its popularity among native speakers. If you have an Urdu-speaking friend, chances are their Urdu texts, and social media posts are in the English script, not Urdu. Also, like most bilingual people, Pakistanis often speak both Urdu and English simultaneously. So, if you’re speaking Urdu and don’t know a word, feel free to use the English equivalent. Your Urdu-speaking friends would probably be doing the same. 

You can’t find the right resources.

Language learning is a journey you can embark on at any age, but you need the right resources to sustain your initial spark of interest. Age-appropriate resources come into play here. For a 30-year-old, Urdu rhymes on YouTube may seem too childish. For a 5-year-old, these same rhymes will make learning Urdu numbers or other vocabularies an enjoyable experience. So, you see, resources need to be age-appropriate to allow for effective language learning. It can be a daunting task for anyone to find good quality resources to learn Urdu, especially the ones that work best for them. 

At Urdu with Annie, we prioritize providing the right resources for all learners. My decade-long experience in teaching and a degree in educational leadership means I fully understand how to cater to learners of all age groups. I use a variety of resources in my classes. From the class material and activities to the weekly learning resources and assignments, I design everything keeping my learners’ needs in mind. Everything is tailored differently for kids, teens, and adults. This way, learning to speak Urdu becomes inclusive, engaging, and comfortable for all my learners, whether it’s a 5-year-old, a 15-year-old, or a 35-year-old. 

How to Make Learning Urdu Easy and Convenient?

Be SMART about your goals.

When you are starting to learn a language, what’s the first thing you need? The motivation to start learning it. It’s what, quite literally, pushes you to start. Even if there are obstacles along the way, you’d be willing to tackle them because you’d know why you began in the first place. But what’s motivation without goals? Imagine you start riding a bicycle but don’t know where to go. What will you do? Without a destination, you wouldn’t know what direction to bike. Goals are the stepping stones that allow us to reach our destination. If you use your initial drive to understand and set timely, realistic, and achievable goals for yourself, you’d be able to sustain your motivation and continue on your journey. 

For my classes, I define the learning goals at the beginning of each week. I give my students a roadmap of what their time with me will look like. So at Urdu With Annie, you’ll know that each lesson is a step in the right direction in your Urdu learning journey.

In addition, goals prevent you from feeling lost and help you feel accomplished when you learn something new. It can include learning a new set of vocab or the sentence structure used for a particular tense. From my teaching experience, I’ve learned that this sense of accomplishment is immensely valuable. It triggers a cycle where success leads to motivation, which leads to more effort and, eventually, greater success. Accomplishing one goal, no matter how big or small, will encourage and motivate you to work towards more of your language-learning goals. 

While setting goals is essential, knowing how effective they are is also important. I highly recommend setting both short-term and long-term goals for yourself. What areas, whether grammar, vocabulary, or sentence structure, do you aim to focus on in a particular week? What days you’d dedicate to which topics? How many words do you intend to have learned by the end of a day’s study session? Try to be as specific as possible. Break down your big, overwhelming goals (“study present tense in Urdu”) into as many smaller chunks as possible (“study simple present tense in first person from handout”, “do simple present tense practice questions on page 10”, etc.). Specific goals are effective. They give you a clear idea of what you’re supposed to do. Goals are also effective when they’re realistic and achievable. Don’t expect yourself to become fluent in Urdu in one month!

If you’re not sure how to set effective goals, I suggest looking into SMART goals. SMART is an acronym for the criteria your goals must meet to be valuable and effective. SMART stands for:

• Specific 
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound 

Urdu is not that unique.

It is not unusual for learners to feel anxious when they start learning a new language. They’d have to step out of their comfort zone to learn something new. Our first language is so natural to us that we hardly ever actively consider its rules, systems, and conventions. But for beginners, even basic concepts and words in those same languages can get very confusing.

However, you should know that you are not alone in feeling this anxiousness. Foreign language anxiety is a common phenomenon. One study found that students learning non-Latin-based languages faced greater anxiety than those learning Latin-based languages. As we mentioned earlier, Urdu is a non-Latin language. If you’re a speaker of any Latin language, such as English, and are looking to learn Urdu, it is natural to feel anxious. Just remember that Urdu is similar to many languages, and these similarities may aid your learning! 

For instance, the sentence structure in Urdu (subject-object-verb) is common to so many languages, including Japanese, Korean, Turkic languages, and all Indo-Iranian languages. Even if you don’t speak these but know some Dutch or French, understanding Urdu’s SOV order won’t take long! 

Plus, Urdu borrows from and shares many words with other languages. These include Persian, Hindi, Turkish – and also English! Several Urdu idioms like “topi pehnaana” or “neki aur pooch pooch” originated from Persian. Plus, many Urdu words like pajama, khaki, and jungle are commonly used in English. 

The right resources are out there!

No matter how dedicated you are to giving your time and attention to a new language. Some obstacles, like a lack of quality education and engaging resources, can hinder your progress. They can diminish your interest and might even make you consider giving up. A recent survey found that 71% of Americans lost touch with a second language they had previously learned. Why was this? Out of the reasons they reported, nearly half gave up due to boredom, difficulty, or the lack of opportunities to practice the language. It’s important that language educators and learners alike must stay mindful of them.

Firstly, try to find the difficulty level that works for you. I design my course material to be of a moderate difficulty level. The challenge motivates learners to continue learning, but it doesn’t get so burdensome that they give up. For example, in my weekly subscription classes for both kids and adults, I aim to gradually build learners’ vocabulary and concepts. The systematic progression builds on what they already know, while simultaneously allowing them to learn something new each time. A balance between “not too easy” and “not too difficult” is ideal. Psychologically, this is what leads to a state of flow! This isn’t just a strategy to keep learners engaged, it is a research-backed way of staying focused and persistent when performing any task. 

Secondly, I make the learning process interesting. Whether it’s kids, teens, or adults, I use several techniques and integrate ed-tech to engage students’ interests and maintain a fun and relaxing classroom learning environment. These include gamified quizzes on Kahoot!, or activities like Tic Tac Toe, Bingo, Simon Says, and many other uniquely created games and content. I also use multimedia so learners can grasp the real-life context of the knowledge they acquire in class.

Finally, finding fun content in your target language is a great idea! I give “breaks” in learning during classes by adding jokes, riddles, or tongue twisters to class material. These are wonderful for classroom practice. After absorbing knowledge, students must take a few moments to think independently about what they’ve learned so far. In trying to answer a riddle or understand a joke, they recall what they’ve been absorbing and make connections between old and new information. This connection-building further consolidates the knowledge in their memory. An added benefit of tongue twisters is that they’re excellent for improving pronunciation! 😉

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Spotify and YouTube are your friends!

We’ve extensively discussed the challenges of learning Urdu. Taking a systematic approach by opting for the right materials and setting the right goals is a great way of tackling these challenges. However, did you notice that I keep using the word “journey” to refer to the entire learning process? I truly believe that learning is a journey and not just a process you finish over the course of a few weeks or months. That’s why I offer advanced courses after my Urdu 101 beginner courses. There are also subscription courses that allow learners to continue progressing in Urdu throughout the year. 

So, if learning Urdu is really a journey, then why not have some fun while we’re at it? That’s where the use of multimedia comes in! I incorporate rhymes, Bollywood songs, cartoons, fun movie scenes, and many other things from YouTube in all my courses. Be it a kid, teen, or adult, everyone should have fun while learning Urdu. Engaging class content, gamified quizzes, and various other resources will keep you even more engaged with Urdu With Annie. 

So, does a Bollywood song count as a language resource? Yes! Take the 50s hit Mera Joota Hai Japani, for instance. Wonderful resource if you want to learn different nationalities in Urdu (Japani, Inglistani, Rusi, and Hindustani).

If you’re not into music, there are other options. Shows, movies, cartoons, etc., are all forms of popular media. They show you how your target language is used practically, in daily life, by native speakers. Textbooks can’t always teach you all this. To truly understand a language’s practical workings, turning to popular culture is something I highly recommend!

Take it one step at a time!

Okay, I have already discussed how knowing the Urdu script is not a prerequisite for learning to speak Urdu. Roman Urdu is quite accessible and commonly used. It’s what I use in my classes, and it works for my students! Occasionally, though, I’d get a learner who’d say, “I want to learn to read Urdu.” That’s wonderful! I’m always glad when learners show interest in the script – it’s truly beautiful. But, as an educator, I recommend you begin with learning to speak a language. Once you grasp speaking, you can move on to the script. It makes the learning process less overwhelming and more wholesome and practical for you. If you’re familiar with spoken Urdu, understanding the alphabet and how it connects to form words becomes much easier. 

Let me share Nirmal’s story. She’s a native Sindhi speaker. She’s fluent in the Sindhi language and speaks it at home every day. Even though she has known Sindhi since birth, she learned to read and write in it quite later in her childhood. Her parents taught her at home, and the reading and writing lessons lasted only for a few months. However, despite any formal instruction in written Sindhi, if you give her a book or newspaper, she’d be able to tell you the gist of what it says. How does she manage it if she’s barely familiar with the alphabet? Because she knows the words verbally. Looking at individual alphabets, she might not be able to tell you the sound they make. But when you string them together in the form of a word, she connects the unfamiliar letter sounds with the familiar ones and can pronounce the word. And tell you what it means! Because she speaks the language. 

Therefore, I highly recommend learners take it one step at a time. Start with whatever you’re familiar with. Start with what you already know. It will make learning Urdu so much easier for you. 

While the focus here is Urdu, you can apply these ideas to any language. Whether you take classes or not or use a particular textbook or not, you can still find value in the approaches shared above. 

You can set SMART goals. You can enter a state of flow by adjusting the difficulty level of your study sessions. You can look up media content in your target language on Netflix or YouTube. Not only will you get entertained, but you will also immerse yourself in your target language and the associated culture! If shows and movies are not your thing, you can find other options that suit your interests. You can listen to a podcast in your target language during your commute to and from work. You can find playlists in your target language on Spotify. The possibilities are endless! 

Finally, returning to where we started (with a slightly different approach): is learning Urdu easy? Not exactly. Is learning Urdu difficult? Not at all! Like I said earlier, no language is either entirely easy to learn or entirely difficult. Just like every individual is different, so is everyone’s language-learning experience. But as the saying goes, if you want to make an omelet in life, you’ve got to break a few eggs. If you want to be bilingual (or even a polyglot), you’ve got to push yourself a little past the barriers, right? I’m sure that with the right mindset and the right tools by your side, learning to speak Urdu will truly be a meaningful and enjoyable experience for you! 

Choose any of Urdu With Annie’s class for kids, teens, or adults to start your Urdu learning journey today! And subscribe to Urdu With Annie’s emails to receive helpful resources right in your inbox.

The post Is it difficult to learn to speak Urdu? appeared first on Learn Urdu With Annie.

Learn Urdu With Annie - Making speaking Urdu accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for all.

“I was enjoying spicy kitchery made of sitting on a charpoy when a thug entered my bungalow in khaki pajamas and looted my buggy.”

Despite being hilarious and tragic at the same time, this is just a normal English sentence. What if I tell you that there are six words in this sentence that originate from South Asia?

Language is said to be a doorway to understanding a culture. But it is much more than that: It is our connections to the cultures that are over a thousand kilometers away. In that sense, it won’t be wrong to say that you are keeping the relationship between cultures and humans alive as you go through your life. 

You, my friend, are full of history. Everything you say has diverse origins, even if you are unaware of it. But it’s always better to be aware of your cultural connections. And that is where we come in. 

Since we, at Urdu with Annie, are focused on Urdu, a South Asian language, let’s talk about common English words that originated from that region. 

Let’s begin!

1. Thug

Thug found its way to the English language in the 1800s. It is derived from the Hindi/ Urdu word thug, which means “rogue, cheater, thief, or gangster”. 

In your childhood, you would have heard stories about pirates attacking ships to steal their goods. Those were the thugs! In the 14th century, thugs were organized robbers and killers in the Indian subcontinent who attacked caravans and stole their goods. The British colonizers eliminated them in the 19th century to safeguard the trade routes.

Another interesting fact is that the thugs used their own secret language and ciphers to protect their interests.

2. Loot

The first evidence of the word loot was traced back to 1773, when Captain John Ferguson, an employee of the British East India Company, published the “Dictionary of Hindustan Language”. He defined the word “loot” in this book. It’s adapted from the Urdu/ Hindi word Lut (Loot), which means “booty or stolen property. It refers to the goods taken from the enemy. Looting is not just stealing but snatching goods by force, typically in the midst of military or political chaos, social crises, or natural disaster.

Loot can also have a positive connotation. Looters looting, snatching, or stealing by force is obviously negative. But the candy gifted to kids on Halloween is a good kind of loot for them. For dentists, maybe it’s not positive, but for kids, it definitely is!

However, the origin of ‘loot’ was to serve an essentially racist function. It pointed towards an assumed intrinsic inclination in the natives to steal or plunder, something the colonizers had to eliminate. On the other hand, the conquerors looting the people’s treasures was considered alright. Visit the British Museum to see the troves of lawful loot. 🙂

3. Kitchery

Kitchery, also called kedgeree (pronounced: khichri, just like in Urdu) in the West, blossomed as an unusual traditional dish for British breakfast. Like its name, it’s indeed a unique dish consisting of curried rice, parsley, boiled eggs, smoked fish and seasoning. When returning to their homes, the British could not just enjoy this dish alone, so they took it home to their families. 

Originally, in the Indian subcontinent, this modest dish only included rice and lentils. The residents enjoy this dish as lunch or dinner. Yesterday, when my mom cooked it, I ate it with pickle (Aachaar in Urdu), but my sister finds that it tastes delicious with Nihari. 

It’s just different people with different eating styles. You can eat it whenever and however you like. 

4. Bungalow

Bung a low roof, wow, this does sound silly, but it’s pretty concrete. In the late 17th century, this word was borrowed from Hindi and Urdu, baṅglā ‘belonging to Bengal’, a type of cottage built for early European settlers in Bengal. Well, it’s a one-storied house with a low-pitched roof, of course, it’s made to be concrete! 

These houses were known as a banggolo or bangala, and were shaped like overturned ships. They had curved roofs that extended almost all the way to the ground. In the US, the bungalow trend squeezed its way in the early 1900s and has evolved into its current form over time.

5. Charpoy (Charpai)

Charpoy (Charpai), light bedstead, is a slightly uncommon word, but most Asians may have seen it somewhere. Actually, it’s quite common in South Asia, including Pakistan and Afghanistan. Charpoy can be traced back to the mid-17th century to the word “Charpai” that means four legs.

A traditional charpoy is woven with the rope of a Moonji Grass. In Pakistan, charpai is often seen at homes. Often, you’d find aunties sitting on the charpai, gossiping and sipping on the chai. This sight is also a common one in the Pakistani dramas. Or you may find uncles having an intense conversation on Pakistani politics.

6. Pajamas 

Yes, these comfortable pieces of garment, not just the word but also the clothes, originated from South Asia. Pajamas were introduced to the Western world in the late 19th century. During the time of British India, when British officers went back home, they also took along the exotic, comfortable nightwear to sleep peacefully. Therefore it is not surprising that the word pajamas also paved its way in English dictionaries.

Traditionally, Pajamas comprised of shirts and loose trousers made of soft fabric such as silk, cotton, or flannel. It was not much famous, worn only in a few countries such as India, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. But their popularity quickly grew once the rest of the world got the taste of them. 

Later, variations were brought in their style, and they transformed into elegant fashionable dresses worn as alternatives to tea gowns. 

7. Khaki

According to etymologists, Khaki is borrowed from the Urdu word, Khaaki, which means ‘soil colored’. It was inserted in the English dictionary through the British Indian army. 

Originally, Khaki was just a color. But the word evolved to mean a particular kind of fabric. Now it’s even used interchangeably for “chinos” or as a placeholder for a lightweight cotton twill. 

The story behind this evolution is quite interesting. Way back in the 19th century, clothes were a matter of life and death in war. The native soldiers of South Asia, along with local British soldiers, were being led by Henry Lumsden in skirmishes near the Peshawar border. The soldiers were wearing red woolen uniforms in the blistering heat of the Indian subcontinent. Plus the bright red color made them easy targets for the Pashtun snipers. 

Lumsden decided to camouflage his soldiers. He found light cotton fabric and had the soldiers smear it with soil and even tea to blend in the sandy surroundings. The soldiers started calling these clothes “khaaki”. This led to the official introduction of Khaki-colored uniforms. The idea quickly spread to the rest of the British troops during the War of Independence in the sandy terrain of South Asia. 

8. Buggy

Buggy, in English, means a small vehicle, often without a roof. In 1773, the word ‘buggy’ in English was first recorded. Historically, ‘buggy’ was used to refer to a light carriage for one or two persons drawn by a horse, especially in the subcontinent. 

In Urdu, the word is pronounced as ‘bugghi’ or ‘buggi’, 

The compilers of the Dictionary of Anglo-Indian words used in English ‘Hobson-Jobson’ said, “Though we trace the word much further back, we have not discovered the birthplace or etymology”. Collated by George Clifford Whitworth, the Anglo-Indian Dictionary mentions buggi is a corruption of Gujarati word ‘bagi’. However, doubt arises upon the introduction of this word in the English language in 1773 from ‘buggy’ originated from Urdu/ Hindi or Gujarati word. 

Despite its origins, it holds great value in the hearts of many. Be it a wedding ceremony or traveling, there are a lot of people who enjoy it. 

I even saw children riding a buggy in an amusement park!

9. Masala

Masala originated from the Urdu word Masala, based on Arabic maṣāliḥ meaning ingredients. Masala is a widely used term in South Asian cuisines to refer to a mixture of spices. Masala can be either a blend of a few dried spices or a paste consisting of a mixture of herbs and spices.

Spices are the essence of food for all the cultures that love their food. What differs is the amount and type of species used. If you travel to another country, you might wonder why the food is bland or spicy. You might not like the bled of spices, when it actually tastes delicious for the natives! Well, that’s a matter of preference. Every culture’s food evolves with the things that were available to them, imported or generated locally. Within a culture itself, people may have different preferences. 

I personally am a big fan of Pakistani Biryani. It’s full of traditional spices, flavor, and aroma. In fact, if you offer a dish of Biryani to a Pakistani, there is a high chance that they will cheerfully devour it. The main reason is that most Pakistanis love Biryani. 

South Asians are very creative with their spices. Many traditional chefs (and moms) don’t use measurements. They just use feelings to measure spices. Using traditional spices, a pinch of this and that; voila! A finger-licking, delicious and cherished Pakistani dish is ready to eat. In Pakistan, even a humble daal (Pulses) feels incomplete without primary species, let alone any shorba (gravy) such as Nihari. This can be the reason why Pakistani cooking seems very intimidating for the inexperienced.

Have you ever admired the beautiful, vibrant colors of Pakistani food? That’s cuz of the spices. They are colorful, flavorful, and also have many health benefits. In Pakistan, these spices are used in both sweet and savory dishes and will leave your taste buds asking for more. Besides cooking and culinary, spices are also used for clinical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and other beneficial purposes. 

10. Jungle 

In English, jungle refers to a wild land overgrown with dense vegetation, or simply, a forest. It originated from the Urdu word Jungul (same pronounciation). It was first recorded in the dictionary in 1906 in Upton Sinclair’s novel. 

Although I have heard the word Jungle many times, it only brings laughter when I think about a movie, The Jungle Book. Sitting on the couch, watching this movie in Urdu, humming as the song goes, Jungle Jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai…… Ahhhh! What fun days those were! Worth remembering. 

Have you seen any movies revolving around the Jungle? I am all ears! 

11. Pashmina

Pashmina is a type of fabric, cashmere wool to be specific. It comes from the Urdu/Farsi word Pashmina, meaning “made from wool”. The word pashmina itself is derived from ‘pashm’, which means ‘inner layer of hair’. It was first woven in Kashmir, where the Europeans encountered this beauty. 

It’s woven out of the fur of the goat named Chyangra, which lives high up in the regions of Nepal, Tibet, India, and other parts of Central Asia. The colder the conditions are, the better quality of fur is produced. The best quality pashmina is s 6 times finer than human hair! One goat produces enough wool for 1 scarf, and three goats fur can make a complete shawl.

Pashmina shawls are renowned for their utmost quality. Even today, the highest quality Pashminas are hand-woven by the traditional weavers of the Kathmandu Valley. They and their families have been weaving Pashmina fabrics for centuries. Think of all the history behind your favorite Pashmina shawl the next time you wear it.

What can be more beautiful than the fact that Pashmina scarves, stoles, mufflers, sweaters, blankets, and other products also exist? So lovely!

12. Cheetah

The word cheetah is derived from Urdu, a South Asian language. Cheetah is a large and spotted cat known for its breathtaking speed and distinctive spots. What’s interesting is that cheetahs aren’t always solitary, unlike other big cats, and they never roar. In fact, they sound more like your friendly house cat and are even known to meow and purr.

However, there’s no denying how impressive Usain Bolt’s (the world’s fastest man) speed is compared to the average human! Running 100m in less than ten seconds is a feat few have ever accomplished. However, cheetahs beat even Usain Bolt in speed, hands down. Sarah, the cheetah, shattered the world record for the standing 100-meter dash, clocking a time of 5.95 seconds—making Olympian Usain Bolt’s world record of 9.58 seconds seem slower. 

How unfair, the cheetah ran on 4 legs but Usain ran on 2. Isn’t he the winner? Well, it does not matter. The fact is that Cheetah runs faster, way faster than other animals. 

Does English have any words that originated from your native language? Let us know in the comments. 

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Learn Urdu With Annie - Making speaking Urdu accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for all.

Imagine it’s the dead of winter. You’re taking a wonderful hot shower when suddenly the water turns burning cold, and even your screams are frozen in your throat. Yeah, that’s what it exactly felt like entering Germany. I remember it being so, so cold. My breath froze in the air as I set foot out of the airport in Germany for the first time. I had a killer headache, had already thrown up, and hadn’t eaten anything for like 10 hours to boot. Needless to say, my arrival in Germany wasn’t a pleasant experience. Plus, it was also during the pandemic, so we had to quarantine for 2 weeks. We had a friend bring us groceries. Imagine being stuck in a new house in a new country with a (not so) new husband .

Moving to a new country can be exciting too. For whatever purpose you undertake this strenuous journey, it can be a new chapter in your life as well as your personality. For me, it gave me butterflies but was no walk in the park either.

For a girl who’s used to sweating in Karachi’s hot, humid climate, Germany, quite literally, left me frozen in shock. It took me a few days to get used to the cold, and even after all these years, I still dread the winter. This is not only because of the sub-zero temperatures and daylight savings time but how the Sun is a no-show for months, and it gets dark around 4 pm! The Germans seem unfazed by the extreme weather and even have a saying about it: Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur falsche Kleidung! (There is no bad weather, only wrong clothes).

Perfect culture for the early birds, a nightmare for me

You might be thinking, “Oh, that doesn’t sound so bad,” but wait for it…it gets worse. Most European countries have a working day until about 8 in the evening. That means malls, shops, and a few restaurants close by that time. It was a big thing for me, whose day used to start after 6 (I know I’m lazy), and now I had to wind up all outdoor activities by that time. Recently, I found out that in Switzerland, some places even close down by 6. Would you believe that?

No post (or basically anything else) on Sundays

Aaand there’s more. You’re sure to have heard of rest days. Well, Germans take this culture quite literally. On Sundays, everything, I repeat EVERYTHING, is closed. You forgot to buy bread or eggs or, God forbid, milk for breakfast? Well, boohoo, because you’re gonna have to subsist on a meager fare of dry cereal or black tea. I came from a city that never rests. Did you see Ms. Marvel’s depiction of Karachi? I can vouch, it’s absolutely true! In many parts of Karachi, you won’t even see the difference between Sundays and other days. Everything will be open, even somethings are open till late on Sundays. But not in Germany. Here, in some places, you’re not even allowed to make noise, which includes vacuuming or even walking too loudly.

Stilles oder sprudel? Yes even water was a culture shock

While we’re on the topic of food, let’s talk about the absolute monstrosity that is sparkling water. Call it aerated, carbonated, or whatever, I can never get on board with its taste. One time I was invited to a family friend’s house. Their table offered the best Pakistani food, but everything was ruined when sparkling water was the only thing to drink. I’m sorry, Aunty, but I’m never coming back to your place again! It’s pretty common around Europe and even more so of a staple in Germany. Although tap water is one of the safest in the world, most Germans prefer their precious bottled water, which they equate with health and wellness. If you plan on traveling to Europe and asking for water, you better be prepared for the question: stilles oder sprudel? (plain or sparkling?)

Reduce, reuse, recycle!

We’ve talked about Germans’ obsession with bottled water, and connected to it is the responsibility of recycling all those bottles. But instead of a responsibility, it’s more like a sacred duty in European culture. ‘Germans love to recycle’ is a gross understatement, and what’s more surprising is that they don’t even do it for the reward. Yes, you heard it right. Pfand is a pretty common occurrence in Germany, where you get a few cents back for each bottle you return to the recycling machine. This may be a common concept in many Western countries, but the Pakistani in me still has a bottle or two or a plastic bag full of them stashed away in the kitchen because ‘I might need them’. Pfand what?

Oh your culture is based around food? Sorry we don’t have a kitchen

I thank God daily that my apartment has a kitchen to stock useless stuff in. Who doesn’t have a kitchen, you might be thinking? Most apartments in Germany would be the answer. A few months after arriving in Germany, we visited a friend’s house, and she told me all about how she and her husband had to go back and forth to get their kitchen installed. During the whole conversation, my face was like this: .

I went home and asked my husband to explain what she meant, and apparently, most apartments in Germany do not have built-in kitchens. When you want to rent a place, you either look for a rare apartment that already has one or you go and buy a whole kitchen, including everything from the cabinets to the sink and the oven to the plumbing. And it’s not cheap at all. Needless to say, I’m still wrapping my head around that one.

Europe takes green living very seriously

Yes, there might be some uncommon things about German culture, but it has its fair share of commendable attributes. For example, the awareness about climate change and the switch to green energy. Each person knows their duty and acts accordingly, be it recycling or saving electricity. With regards to that, there is a great trend of cycling. Most people cycle to work, school, or wherever they need to be. There are fewer private cars as most either prefer to cycle or use public transportation, which is a wonder of its own.

With a flawless network of buses and trains connecting the whole Europe, public transport is easy, cheap, fast, and comfortable to boot. The buses are not as vibrant as the ones in Pakistan, but they sure pollute less. This summer, it was made even cheaper. The Ministry of Transport, in an effort to cut down on CO2 emissions (which they have achieved), introduced a 9 Euro Ticket applicable to travel anywhere within Germany. People flocked to trains in droves, and the scheme was a success. It’s elating to see the common people caring about saving the Earth and doing something about it. It always starts small, and only with that concern in the whole community can something like this be achieved on a regional level. I mean no offense to my country, and I understand our problems are of a whole different variety. When people are starving and drowning, they will hardly care about green energy. Yet, those of us who are privileged enough to have luxuries in our lives should at least spare a thought to the kind of world we will leave behind for our children. 

Lessons from the past

Another thing I love about Germans is how well preserved their history is and how each person has an affinity to it. There are thousands of years old buildings, yet they are near perfect shape as they used to be in the ancient days. Most Germans seem to have an avid interest in their history and carry a range of knowledge on the topic. There are tons of commemorative plaques and statues of historical figures, and in many places, I have seen written descriptions of the history of the site or some significant event that might have happened there. The information is not only for tourists but also for locals who are keen to know about their roots and culture. This is also manifest in the world-renowned and interesting museum selection Germany (and the rest of Europe) has to offer. 

To sum up, I think that’s enough shocks for a lifetime. Yet has Germany made me into the person I am today? Very much so. And for the better. Living in Germany has made me a more environmentally conscious, punctual, and healthier person. There’s no place like home, yet living in Europe definitely has its perks. 

Speaking of perks, Annie has just launched a new online self-paced course for adults, which will be perfect for you if you wanna learn Urdu.

So how about you? Which shock sounds totally unbelievable to you? Let us know in the comments, or drop a message on Instagram! 

The post Culture shocks I had after moving to Europe appeared first on Learn Urdu With Annie.

Learn Urdu With Annie - Making speaking Urdu accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for all.

Kahoot! turns language learning into a fun and engaging experience. What’s the single most important key to learning something new? Practice! And Kahoot turns practice into gamified experiences that help you stay consistent in your language learning journey. Learning becomes an entertaining and enjoyable process. No wonder over a billion people play Kahoot! every year!

These gamified quizzes are called “Kahoots”. You can make your own Kahoot on any topic or use any of the 50 million+ pre-built Kahoots on the site. You can learn (play really) solo or have your friends join in the fun. You just need to sign up on Kahoot.com or install the Kahoot! app and get started on your language learning journey – absolutely for free!

Play pre-existing Kahoots

If you are starting your language learning journey with Kahoot!, it’ll be best to explore what pre-existing Kahoots are there for you. The “Discover” option gives you access to an unlimited number of existing Kahoots. There is even a search bar at the top. Go ahead and type in the name of your target language. 

Let’s say I go with French. Now, there might be a few Kahoots that may require a paid subscription to Kahoot!+, but keep scrolling and you’ll find a lot of Kahoots that are accessible for free. These include topics covering French grammar and vocabulary, such as ‘French numbers 100+’, ‘French School Supplies’, ‘French Food’, ‘French -er verbs’, and even ‘World History: The French Revolution’. And these are just a few. You can find many more Kahoots suiting your interests and language-learning needs. You get to learn not just the language itself, but also the culture that your target language is a part of!

Use game modes to practice language learning

Once you choose the Kahoot of your choice, there are several game modes, some of which don’t even require creating an account on the app! It’s that easy and simple. 

• Live game allows you to start a fun, interactive lesson. You can host it in-person, with questions on a bigger screen, and others answering on their devices, or you can share it with remote players.
• Single Player gives you the option to play on your own. There is sometimes a YouTube video lesson embedded within the game itself. You can select or come up with a cute nickname for yourself, and you’re good to go! Each question is timed. The faster you choose the right option, the more you score. After each question, you can see your ranking on the scoreboard. It’s so thrilling to see yourself rise to the top as you answer all the questions correctly! After you’re done with the game, you get a summary of all the answers, which helps you learn from your mistakes. 
• Assignment allows you to send the Kahoot to anyone as an assignment. If you’re learning your target language from a tutor, they can send you Kahoots as assignments (with a deadline). Or, if you have friends learning the same language, you can challenge them to a Kahoot now!

Study on the go with Kahoot! 

Apart from gamified language quizzes, Kahoot! facilitates you in your learning journey by allowing you to study your topics properly.

The Study feature contains four options:

• Study Group allows you to bring your friends along on the ride. Just make a group, invite members to it, add a game, and have fun!
• Flashcards option is quite self-explanatory but an amazing feature. Whether you’re looking to learn French greetings or basic words and phrases in Spanish, you don’t need to carry a notebook along. Just memorize the vocab using the Flashcards feature. You can learn at your own pace by either choosing Study again or Got it depending on how well you know the answer. Once you’re done with the flashcards, you can directly move on to the practice session!
• Practice allows you to determine how well you’ve studied the topic. The questions are the same as the flashcards so there aren’t any confusions or surprises. 
• Test yourself is a little different from and a lot more fun than Practice because the questions are timed and you get to play against bots and win emotes!

Make your own Kahoots

Kahoot! allows you to create your own games. This is a wonderful feature to help you test yourself on whatever you’ve learnt so far. No need to worry if you can’t find an existing language quiz that covers it all. Whether you’re taking a class or self-studying, just gather your textbooks, notes, or your preferred online sources, and turn them all into a fun game! And the test format is totally up to you. You can choose between multiple-choice quiz and true or false game in the free plan. More question formats, including puzzle, type answer, slider, etc. are available in the paid version (Kahoot!+ Study Premium). Kahoot! caters to your individual language-learning needs. 

Making a Kahoot is fairly simple, and the app guides you along. Once you’re done, you can use this Kahoot to test your own knowledge, or share it with friends. You and your study buddies can make Kahoots on different topics and host these. The scoreboard will help you figure out where you stand alongside your peers, and how much you need to improve. Plus, who doesn’t like a round of games with friends?

Kahoot! for Language Teachers

Kahoot! can be a wonderful addition to your language class. Your teacher can make a Kahoot, share the game pin with everyone, and quiz you all in real time. No need for boring pen-and-paper quizzes. This will not only be a lot more fun, but will do all of the scoring and ranking for your teacher! The Teacher account type allows them a limit of 30 players per Kahoot in the free plan, but don’t worry. If your class has more students, they can play in groups. 

If your teacher doesn’t want to make their own Kahoot, they can find existing ones and test the students using the Live game option. For example, if you’re learning Urdu, there are Kahoots available in Urdu script and English transliteration. Your teacher can use those to quiz you in real-time or assign them using the Assignment option (and just like usual assignments, they can set a deadline). Or, if they share that Kahoot in advance, students can even use the Flashcards feature to study for the quiz!

Urdu educator, Annie, uses Kahoot! in her classes with kids (as young as four to six year olds), as well as adults. So, you see, there is no limit to the age of language learners who can benefit from Kahoot! Let’s take a closer look at her approach.

Her Kahoots for kids are more pictorial, while for adult learners, they are more textual. Kahoot! basically allows you the flexibility to make the quizzes suited to different age groups. When making Kahoots for younger learners, Annie adds questions with one-word answers, or even images in the answers (for example, identifying colors and their names, or objects in the images). For teens, the questions can require translating short sentences or identifying tenses, but Annie makes these more exciting by turning them into rapid-fire questions. For adults, the questions can be made even longer and detailed. She also adds slides in between questions as they transition from one mini-topic or concept to another. 

Now, you might be wondering, ‘That’s all well and good, but how would students react to the addition of Kahoot! to the classroom?’ Annie has received amazing feedback! Even adult learners appreciate Kahoot! in their reviews. Although through Kahoot!, Annie quizzes students, it doesn’t come with any feelings of test-anxiety. It’s gamified, it has music, and it’s so in-the-moment that you don’t feel you’re being tested. And younger learners look forward to it so much that they often ask at the beginning of class, ‘Are we going to play Kahoot! today?’ 

Annie also believes that it helps with learning because it allows for the repetition that’s necessary for retention. Before using Kahoot!, she found it tricky to judge how students respond to the material, especially quieter students who participate less in classes. Kahoot! now makes it easy for her to keep track of student progress and understanding. 

If you’re wondering whether she makes her own Kahoots, yes, she does. She also repurposes them for different classes by making adjustments. It’s quite easy to keep them organized in folders, and it’s not much different from making a standard quiz, in fact much more fun. If a teacher intends to use Kahoot! in different classes for different age groups, Annie recommends investing in the paid version because it’s definitely worth it! Gives you many more options and truly adds value to your classes. 

With respect to frequency, Annie makes sure to use Kahoot! in her classes at least once per week. Often, students play Kahoot! as soon as they finish a topic, before moving on to the next. With Kahoots, teachers obviously have the flexibility to adjust the difficulty level of the quiz. Annie recommends keeping them at a lower difficulty level for younger learners to make the quizzes more inclusive for all learners, and to ensure all learners stay motivated. For older students, the difficulty level can be increased. 

There is one important point that Annie would recommend language teachers to be mindful of. Kahoot! is a wonderful tool, but it’s better to keep the focus on learning instead of quizzing or scoring. If the focus is on scoring only, some learners are bound to be left behind, which can make them feel quite discouraged. But, if the focus is on learning together in an engaging and interactive environment, Kahoot! can allow all students to feel included in the language-learning process. It is a fact that every individual learns at a different pace, teachers need to be mindful of the intention behind making or hosting Kahoots. 

By the way, here’s another quick idea for using Kahoot! in the classroom. Your teacher can assign one topic to each student (or you all can choose topics yourself) and make a Kahoot on it. Now, if your class has 20 students, you have 20 different Kahoots to see where you stand in your language-learning journey. Even standardized tests in your textbooks can be turned into Kahoots!

For advanced language learners

This isn’t a specific option in Kahoot! but it’s a great approach for advanced learners. On the home page, click the profile icon on the top left, go into the settings, and change the language to your target language. You can access Kahoot! in 15 different languages, including Arabic, Dutch, Italian, French, Spanish, Turkish, and many more! Now, you can play Kahoots on different educational topics such as Science, Math, Humanities, etc. in that language. This is a great way to practice and actually use the language you’re learning. The best part is, as you scroll down in Discover, you will find Kahoots on all these different domains by Kahoot! ’s own verified educators. So, you’re basically learning from experts! 

It’s totally okay if quizzes on Literature or Chemistry are not up your alley. You might find other interesting Kahoots in your target language. For example, I found Turning Red trivia in French and Italian, and Kahoots by Angry Birds Official in Turkish! 

So, what’re you waiting for? Install Kahoot! on your devices, and embark on your language-learning journey today!

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The post How to use Kahoot for Language Learning? appeared first on Learn Urdu With Annie.

Learn Urdu With Annie - Making speaking Urdu accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for all.

Lo and behold, we have a Pakistani American superhero in Marvel! Why is that significant? More than 550,000 Pakistani Americans are living in the USA. Whether you or your family is from Pakistan or not, chances are that you would have met a Pakistani somewhere! Just like all other cultures, we Pakistanis are in some ways alike, yet somewhat different than the rest.

Ms. Marvel showed a Pakistani American family in all its colors. We have a teenager trying to understand her roots and beliefs while also trying to fit in. An elder brother who, with time, has become comfortable with a particular religious identity. A dad who gets excited at the marvels (no pun intended) of technology and wants to make life lighter and easier for his family. A mom who is the boss of the house and feels responsible for keeping the tiniest things in check. And a grandmother who sends over all her treasures for her grandchildren.

You might be thinking, are all Pakistani American families exactly like Ms. Marvel’s? Well, no. Just like any other culture, Pakistani culture is extremely diverse. All Pakistani families would have very different dynamics. But yes, there is one thing that is common for most Pakistanis: their language, Urdu.

And one thing Ms. Marvel is absolutely spot-on is that it shows how Urdu fits in our daily lives!

So as we rewatch Ms. Marvel first episode for the third time, we decided to put together this blog to help you understand the meaning and Pakistani cultural contexts of different Urdu words and phrases used in the series. We’ll also touch upon songs and music references that might interest you. Let’s go episode by episode and get closer to the Pakistani American culture little by little.

Jump to

Ms. Marvel Episode 1: Meaning of Urdu Words

Ammi

Oh, this word smells of paradise. Ammi means “Mom”. Although there are other names for Mom in Urdu, Ammi is the one we have heard the most around us. And yes, we call our moms Ammi too! Just like you saw in Ms. Marvel how the moms in Pakistani culture take responsibility for the tiniest things, we Pakistanis get very close to our Ammis. We call out to them if we get hurt, or sad, or scared, or literally anything and everything! So next time you prank a Pakistani and they shout “AMMIIIIIIIIII” don’t think that their mom is behind you! You are safe! We are just hardwired to calling out to our Ammis (plural of Ammi in Urdu: Ammiyaan).

Abbu

Abbu is Ammi’s other half, “dad”. Abbu is also one of the most common terms for dad, but others like “baba”, “abba”, and “baap” (usually used informally) are also very common. For ages, Abbus (plural of Abbu in Urdu: Abbu) were the ones who were the sole breadwinners of their families. So we Pakistanis remember our or someone else’s Abbu when we are talking (arguing) about the ownership of something of value. For instance, if you are fighting with a Pakistani American over who will take the last parking spot and they say, “Is this your abbu’s parking spot?” Don’t go and ask your dad for his ownership. We just mean that it’s not your parking spot.

Bismillah

Literally, it means “in the name of Allah”. As Pakistan’s population is predominantly Muslim, this word has become a very common part of Urdu as well as the Pakistani culture. We say “Bismillah” before starting anything, especially if it’s something important. It has become so embedded in Urdu that it is now used interchangeably with the word “shuru”, which means “to start”. If you are in a Pakistani household and dinner is being served. We might ask you to do Bismillah with the food. We don’t mean that you have to say Bismillah. We just want you to start eating.

Nananana hey hey… (Desi vocables)

Ever wondered why Bollywood movies have so many songs? It’s because music is a very important part of our lives! Our songs and melodies are designed to exhibit strong emotions. See Kamala’s expressions and connect with the music. The depiction of emotions in our songs is lit.

Choro jee

It means “leave it be”. Although it seems straightforward, but we don’t say choro jee very lightly. We say it when things are starting to get on our nerves. Whether we are irritated or we don’t want the other person to feel bad anymore. Choro jee is the final call for us. When we say it, leaving something be is not up for discussion. It’s over! We don’t want to talk about it anymore. So when your Pakistani American friend says choro jee to you, let them change the subject. Otherwise, things can become awkward.

Kameena kaheen ka

Let’s break this phrase into two parts: “Kameena” and “Kaheen ka”.

If you want to go into the translations, the word Kameena originates from Farsi which means “lowlife”. But don’t go into the translations. Most people who speak Urdu also don’t know what kameena exactly means. We just call anyone bothersome “kameena” in an informal setting. Fun fact, this poetic title is not limited to just people. We also call non-sentient things kameena if they bother us! So in your workplace, if the internet is not working, you might hear a Pakistani guy exclaim, “The internet is doing kameena-pun (the act of being kameena).” We just mean that the internet is bothering us.

Let’s move to “Kaheen ka”. If translated literally, it would mean “of anywhere”. So, kameena kaheen ka would mean “lowest of lowlifes anywhere”. BUT LIKE WE SAID, DON’T GO INTO THE TRANSLATIONS! We take these insults very lightly. We Pakistanis use Kaheen ka to make the insult more emotionally complete. If someone tells a single lie about us, we won’t call them “Jhoota” (meaning liar). Something would feel missing. We’ll call them “Jhoota kaheen ka”. That doesn’t mean that they are the worst liar in the whole world. It’s just that we feel better when we call them that.

Chalo

Chalo means “let’s go”. This word, you can take literally. But like all others, there is a lot more to this word than just its literal meaning. Here’s a fun fact about Urdu: In this poetic language, there are a lot of repetitions. It just feels complete that way. Sometimes, with Chalo, you’ll hear “Chalen”, which means the same thing: “let’s go”. But when we say chalo chalen our sentence just seems more complete.

Chalo is also used interchangeably with “Okay”. So when you hear a Pakistani say, “Chalo, let’s eat”. They mean, “okay, let’s eat”. They don’t want you to actually go somewhere else to eat. For this word, you may also hear “Chalo okay”. Now, this is just another example of repetition in Urdu. We are emphasizing okay by saying it twice. Once in Urdu and once in English! Pure bilingualism!

Beta

Take the word “child” and combine it with all the elderly warmth you can imagine. That’s how you get the word “beta”. For us, Pakistani ex-pats, hearing this word from an older person gives a happy feeling that reminds us of our home country, where we were surrounded by our families and loved ones.

But, all is not rosy for this word. If you say Beta to someone at the same age level as you or someone older, it would be considered derogatory. It would mean you are undermining their authority/ intelligence/decision and whatnot. So, only call someone beta when they are younger than you.

Wanna learn more about Urdu? Click here!

Naani

Naani is our ammi’s ammi: maternal grandmother. It also extends to Naani’s sisters and female cousins. All of them would be our Naani. And just cuz we are talking about it. The significant other of Naani is Naana, Ammi’s abbu: maternal grandfather. You’ll also find many cute variations of these words in the Pakistani American community. Still, mostly, people would understand what you mean when you ask them about their Naani or Naana, even if they call them something else.

Baat Pakki

Baat Pakki refers to a very important event in a desi person’s life. It’s when your and your spouse-to-be’s parents make the decision of your marriage. It’s one of the most important events in a couple’s life because, in most cases, the parents take the final decision of who you will marry. This event is the first significant milestone for a to-be-married couple, and all family joins in the celebrations. This is why you saw Naani sending stuff from thousands of kilometers away to participate in this special occasion for Aamir.

Ko Ko Korina (Song)

Ko Ko Korina is a Pakistani song from 1966 by Ahmed Rushdi. It was Pakistan’s first pop song. Even after more than half a century, whenever this song comes up, we Pakistanis greet it with huge smiles on our faces. It’s almost impossible to not sing along to its catchy music. There have been many renditions of this song, one recomposed by the song’s original composer, Sohail Rana. But we love the original! Listen to the song below and tell us how hard it is to not have this song fill up your mind!

Haaey (When Kamala wears a lot of bangles and rings)

We can argue that Haaey is probably among the most versatile words in Urdu to communicate emotions. We say haaey in shock, complaint, and pain. The length of haaey is directly proportional to the intensity of pain. Haaey is also combined with several other words to communicate other feelings.

When combined with “Aaey”, we say aaey haaey when either we really LOVE something or we are extremely disgusted by it. I know it sounds confusing, but if you just see the face of the person saying, “aaey haaey”, it’ll be crystal clear if it’s awe or disgust.

When combined with “haw”, we use haw haaey to show that something is simply unbelievable. Typically used in gossip, using this word will help you communicate your inner-most feelings of envious disbelief.

Don’t confuse it with the English “Hi”, Urdu haaey is many things but never a greeting. If someone looks at you and says, “haaey this person again?” They are not so happy to see you.

Jee – the suffix (you might have missed this one in the episode)

Jee is the suffix of respect in Urdu. Pakistanis add jee in front of other words to add respect and love to those words. Ammi/amma becomes Ammi jee/amma jee. Abbu becomes abbu jee. We sometimes also add jee to random words to add respect or formality to those words. Haan (yes) becomes haan jee. Chalo becomes chalo jee, sunen (listen) becomes sunen jee. The last one is very common between spouses, so it has a romantic vibe to it.

Kaisi hain?

It means “How are you?” directed to a female. Questions in Urdu are different for different genders. For a male, this would become Kaisay hain? These are more formal versions of how are you, but they are not reserved just for elders. We also use them when talking to someone younger than us to show love and respect for them.

Meray kapray tayyaar hain?

It means, “Are my clothes ready?” My, clothes, and ready translate to mere, kapray, and tayyaar respectively. So see, the sentence structure in Urdu is very similar to English. The difference in Urdu is that the helping verb (“hain” in this sentence) always comes at the end of the sentence.

As-salaam-u-alaikum & Walaikum salaam

This is an Islamic greeting. It means “peace be upon you”. Since Pakistan’s population is predominantly Muslim, this greeting is very much embedded in Urdu. Sometimes, you’ll see a shorter version of this greeting, like Salaam or Salaam alaikum, and Walaikum in reply. The sentiment remains the same for both.

Gora boy

This is a very impolite way of referring to a white boy. Post colonialism, people from the subcontinent held onto their negative sentiments about the conquering British. These sentiments are passed on a little bit to the current older generation. It is typically mentioned when the feeling towards that particular person is negative.

Butti kholo

It means “turn on the lights”. “Butti” means light, and “kholo” means turn on. Kholo is also one of many versatile words in Urdu. In addition to “turn on”, it also means “open”. The context of the sentence usually communicates which of these meanings is being used. If your Pakistani American friend says, “Door kholo”, they want you to open the door. If they say, “TV kholo”, they mean turn the TV on, not take the whole thing apart.

Bhaee Waah

Waah in Urdu means “wow”. But we feel that sometimes, just saying wow is not enough. So we add bhaee to make it extreme. Bhaee waah means “a massive WOW!”. Bhaee is added to other words as well to make them more intense and sometimes give them a tone of finality.

Let’s say you ask your Pakistani friend if they want to cook, and they say naheen bhaeee (naheen means “no”). It means they don’t want to cook at all and they don’t want you to ask them again. Let’s say you ask them if they want to eat, and they say haan bhaee ( haan means “yes”). It means that they definitely want to eat and don’t want you to ask them again. They are very sure about it.

Sometimes, when we Pakistanis have a lot of emotions to share but we don’t know how exactly to communicate them, say only bhaee. This is typically used when we are irritated and finding it hard to communicate that irritation. Just like haaey, the length of lone bhaee would be directly proportional to the intensity of irritation.

Haan bolo

Haan means “yes”, and bolo means “speak”. However, haan in response to calling someone over is simply an acknowledgment in response. Just like when you call someone, and they say, “Yes, what’s up?”, they don’t literally mean yes, but are just acknowledging that they heard you.

Rokna

Rokna means to stop or pause someone or something (someone or something other than yourself). Its pronunciation is very slightly different from the rukna, which has a “u” sound. When someone says rukna, they are asking you to stop. If you and your Pakistani friend are leaving the house and their parents say to you, rokna, you should stop your friend. If they say, rukna, just stop yourself and wait (they might give you a lot of food!).

As-tagh-fir-ullah

It is also an Islamic prayer, which means “I seek forgiveness from Allah”. In Pakistani culture, it is synonymous with saying that something is bad. That bad thing doesn’t necessarily have to be against Islam. For instance, if our room is a mess, our ammi will say, “Astaghfirullah, your room is such a mess!”

Chai

For a Pakistani, chai is the elixir of life. It is a South Asian variation of milk tea. In the Pakistani community, there is no particular time to drink tea. It’s usually a must-have in the morning and evening. Many people also drink chai after meals (in addition to the morning and evening chai). It’s a guaranteed way to start a good relationship. If you want to make Pakistani American friends, take a thermos of good chai and start offering people free chai. You’ll be super popular in no time!

Jin (Djinn)

These Jins are a more mysterious version of the “Genie” in English. You’ll find that many Pakistani Americans believe in Jins, regardless of their religion. We believe that Jins are another enigmatic species, just like humans. So just like we have good and bad humans, there are good and bad Jins. But since we don’t know much about them, we are generally afraid of them.

Haraam

Haraam refers to all things that are forbidden in Islam. If your Pakistani Muslim friend says something is haraam, don’t try to convince them otherwise. Either we’ll say a very long bhaeee or if we do it, we’ll feel guilty about it later on!

Bara Hulk aur Choti Hulk

It means big Hulk and little Hulk. In Urdu the adjectives change as per the subject’s gender. Masculine adjectives (for males) usually end in “aa” sound. Feminine adjectives (for females) usually end in “ee” sound. Notice that Ammi used bara (ending in “aa”) for Abbu, and choti (ending in “ee”) for Kamala.

Bachi

Bachi means daughter or female child. This is rarely used, typically only when parents talk to their daughter. Typically, it’s not advised to use this just for someone else. In those cases, use the warmth of “beta”.

Shalwaar Kameez

This is the national dress of Pakistan, worn by both males and females. Unlike popular belief, Shalwaar Kameez have as many different styles as you can imagine. The intensity of colors and brightness of Pakistani Shalwaar Kameez depends on the occasion and the person’s taste. Not to mention, it’s super comfy! Try it some time!

Bus

This is one of the most powerful words in Urdu language. Bus means “enough”. Here is a fun fact: The lower the volume when saying bus, the more grave the situation is. So don’t think that if someone is saying bus in a low voice, that means you can keep going. They really would have had enough and could burst out any moment. In Ms. Marvel, Notice how low the volume of Ammi was when she said “Bus Kamala”. That. Was. Intense.

Ye lo jee aap

Aaah, the respect in this sentence. Ye means “this”, “lo” means take, jee is the respect suffix, and aap means a very respectful “You”. It translates to “take this please” in Urdu. Notice how jee is used here to introduce respect to a very simple interaction.

Kia ker rahay ho?

It means, “What are you doing?” This one is fairly straightforward, although we loved the tone and Kamala’s expression when she saw her abbu dancing and being romantic with ammi. Ammi abbu ka chupa pyaar hai jee! (It’s mom and dad’s secret love!)

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Ms. Marvel Episode 2: Meaning of Urdu Words

Allahu Akber

Allahu Akber an Arabic phrase meaning “Allah is the greatest”. In Urdu, this whole phrase is called “tukbeer”. Essentially, it is the Muslim call used in Salah (prayers), moments of joy or marvel, in the beginning of a great endeavor (marriage), and in many other religious and life events. It’s an expression of gratitude and a show of humbleness to Allah.

Jalebi Baby Song

Jalebi Baby is the new hit party song played in South Asian events and is sung by the South Asian singers. For language buffs, Jalebi is a type of deep-fried dessert in Pakistan.

A mashup of Bollywood’s famous “Jalebi Baai” and Justin Bieber’s “Yummy”, Tesher’s song produced massive waves all across North America. It’s truly a song that fits all party vibes.

Baazigar

Baazigar means “a true player”. Sometimes, also referred to someone who is so skilled that they appear to be magicians in their craft. In Ms. Marvel, Baazigar is the reference to an old Bollywood movie of Shahrukh Khan in which he takes revenge of…. Sorry not giving anymore spoilers . You can enjoy watching the movie here.

Pro Tip: Use this all-time famous dialogue from Baazigar to sound super cool in front of your Pakistani friends and to instantly win their hearts

Haar ker jeetnay waalay ko baazigar kehtay hain! (A true player is the one who wins even after he loses.)

DDLJ

This is short for “Dil Waalay Dulhaniya Lay Jaa.en gay”. A cult classic from Bollywood. This is a movie that all the romantics love to quote. Its dialogues are still as freshly remembered as when the movie was released. Especially,

Jaa Simran, jee lay apni zindagi! (Go Simran (name), live your life!)

This dialogue was so powerful that even Simran, the heroine, was also taken aback and stayed mesmerized even though she literally had a running train to catch.

Eid

Eid is the most major festival for Muslims. And again, as Pakistan has a vast Muslim majority, Eid is celebrated with as much vigor as Christmas in the Western countries. The word Eid literally means “festival”. There are two main Eids for Muslims: Eid-ul-Fiter is the Festival of breaking of the fast, and Eid-ul-Azha is the festival of the sacrifice. These are also the literal translations of both words.

Many Pakistani Americans also call Eid-ul-Fiter, the Choti Eid, which means little Eid. In this festival, Muslims give money to the poor, dress up, meet our friends and family, and eat a lot of desserts.

Similarly, we call Eid-ul-Azha, the bari Eid, which means big Eid. This is when, we sacrifice animals, give 1/3 of the meat to the poor, 1/3 to our friends, neighbors, and relatives, and keep the remaining 1/3 for ourselves. You can imagine that in this Eid, we eat a lot of meat!

On Eids, you can wish your Muslim friends, Eid Mubarak, which means “have a blessed Eid”!

Haraam dot Kamran

We Pakistanis thrive on such cute taunts! Haraam means something that’s forbidden in Islam. Since Kamran was searching for haraam things on the internet, Amir comically named him Haraam dot Kamran.

Karachi

Karachi is the metropolitan capital of Pakistan. It is the most populous, most economically active, and the most diverse city in the country. If a person is from Karachi, it does not mean that they have a specific personality. They would be a mix of a lot of different cultures that they get exposed to in the city. People from all over Pakistan come to Karachi to find work, which makes the city one of the most colorful and fun places to live in. And if you love food and you want to try everything Pakistan has to offer, Karachi is the place to go. You’ll find cuisines from all corners of Pakistan there. As a biased Karachiite, it is truly the best place to live in Pakistan Karachi to Pakistan is the same as New York City is to the United States of America.

Evil Eye

The concept of evil eye is very prevalent among Pakistanis. In its most basic sense, the evil eye is the metaphysical harm caused by bad thoughts of someone who is envious with you. Although, there are a lot of Pakistani Americans who do not believe in this concept, you’ll find that many have a very strong belief in it. To prevent evil eye, Muslims say Ma Sha Allah, which we believe automatically makes the evil eye null and void.

Zamzam

Zamzam is the holy water for Muslims. It comes from a well in Mekkah, Saudi Arabia that is highly regarded among Muslims. It is said to have cure for a lot of things. Many people keep it in their house as a blessing and as a cure for physical and metaphysical illnesses.

Ayat ul Kursi

Ayat ul Kursi literally means “the throne verse”. It is a verse in the Holy Quran that is recited by Muslims to get blessings, keep evil away from them, and give them calmth. This verse talks about the power of Allah as the One who sustains and protects everyone. It gives them peace to think about how the God is going to take care of them.

Masjid

More commonly called “Mosque” in English, Masjid is a place of worship for Muslims.

You might be curious, how an Urdu, Arabic, and Farsi word Masjid became Mosque in English. Well, Mosque is actually derived from the Spanish word Mezquita. As Islam spread to Europe, Spanish language borrowed the word Masjid from Arabic. Since Spanish doesn’t have a “J” sound, it replaced “J” in Masjid with a “k” sound represented with “qc”, which later evolved into “Q”. Now, how did the “T” at the end replaced the “D”. You’d notice how Italians pronounce Muhammad as “Mehmet”. That’s what the Romans always did when they borrowed words from other languages that have “D”.

Sorry if you were not interested in the etymology of the word “Mosque” but that’s how it came in it’s current form.

Halal (Halaal) gap

Halal (or halaal) is the opposite of Haram (or haraam). It means everything that’s allowed in Islam. For most of the Muslims, it is important to keep a little physical distance between the opposite genders. They would seriously mind if you engage in Huggies and touchy touchy. So make sure that they are comfortable with it if you want to get close. Otherwise, bro, keep the halal gap.

Mini Harami girls

Harami is someone who does haram (things that are not allowed in Islam). Mini harami girls would be those who are doing something that’s at the borderline of haram but not totally haram. So they would still be safe. But just by a tiny bit.

Ms. Marvel Episode 3: Meaning of Urdu Words

Betho

You might go to a Pakistani friend’s house and they will say betho na. Betho means to sit down or take a seat. Pakistanis are very hospitable and if they offer you a seat, you better be sure that there’s more to come. After being seated, you might be served with delicious sweets or a cup of piping hot tea. Betho has all the warmth of welcoming someone into one’s home. It speaks of hospitality and apnaaiyut (a familial sense of closeness; is the closest I can manage to translate it but there is still a lot lost in translation).

Shabaash

Imagine you passed an exam with flying colors or broke your mom’s favorite teacup, it’s very likely that will hear shabaash both times! Curious to know why? Please allow me to explain!

Shabaash is Urdu equivalent of ‘good’ or ‘well done’. You might use it to praise someone on their effort or let them know of your appreciation. However, it is used sarcastically as well which explains the teacup mishap. Just like you would use ‘good going’ or ‘great’ (perhaps accompanied with an exasperated eyeroll) in English, shabaash is exactly that word and can be used in both situations.

Noor

In the episode, you might have caught the phrase “Noor dimension”, the dimension where Kamala’s great-grandmother and her companions came from. In Urdu, noor means ‘light’. Noor has a more eloquent and poetic connotation, where one might use it to describe moonlight or ‘the light of one’s eyes’.

You may have heard of the fabled Koh-i-Noor diamond. Koh-i-Noor can be translated to the “mountain of light” or the legendary Pakistani singer Madam Noor Jahan, whose name literally means ‘light of the universe’.

Junoon

This one was explained by Kamala’s abbu himself. Junoon is passion and excitement and fervor. It is used to elicit an intense feeling, perhaps about a sport or even about one’s loved ones. Junoon can also be used to depict a feeling that might lead you to madness.

Junoon is also the name of a famous Pakistani band and if you have or would ever delve into the world of Pakistani music or cricket, you are sure to have heard the song ‘Jazba-e-Junoon’ (the feeling of passion). If you haven’t, no worries. Listen and enjoy to this upbeat classic and feel your spirits rising!

Mujnoon

Mujnoon is a person who has Junoon or is passionate. Mujnoon might sound familiar to you, does Layla and Mujnoon ring a bell? Layla and Mujnoon is the desi version of Romeo and Juliet. Poor Mujnoon might have had a different name but his passionate love for Layla left him to be forever remembered as Mujnoon! In Pakistani context too, a romantic couple is referred to as Layla Mujnoon or Layla Mujnoon ki jori meaning the couple of Layla and Mujnoon.

Ajnabi

Before the Clandestines introduced themselves to Kamala, they were ajnabi to her. And that is what they were to much of the world, different from humans, living in hiding. In Urdu, ajnabi is used for someone or something that is unknown, foreign, or a stranger. But not only Urdu, it also has the same meaning in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Somalian.

Mehndi

If you’ve ever been to a Pakistani wedding or any Eid festival, chances are you must have heard the word mehndi quite often. You’d also have heard mehndi in the many Bollywood songs! Mehndi is the heart and soul of getting ready in any desi event and there are whole events and traditions dedicated to the application of mehndi, henna paint in English. The context mehndi was used is both of the application of mehndi, where women of all ages get together to get their hands and feet decorated with this paint, with a particular scent that reminds one of wedding shenanigans and other parties; and also mehndi is an increasingly popular event in South Asian weddings, where girls get their mehndi done (of course) and afterwards everyone joins in for meticulously choreographed dance sequences, lots of dhol (drums), music, food, drinks and much much more! So if you’re ever invited to a “Mehndi event”, I would recommend to not miss it. You will have the time of your life!

Ms. Marvel Episode 4: Meaning of Urdu Words

Being born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, this episode has our heart. Ms. Marvel did justice in representing the streets of Karachi in its true sense. From the variety of transportation in the streets such as rickshaw, buses, and chin-chi in their true essence, for example, the chin-chin won’t go faster to the busy streets of the city. Saying that we enjoyed it would be an understatement for how much we loved watching it! Now in Canada (and Hadia in Germany), we were only craving that Karachi style biryani that Kamala and her cousins were enjoying by the beach hahaha.

Pichli baar

Pichli baar means “previously on” or “last time”. This phrase is used to refer to “last time” where the suffix “baar” refers to the number of times. For instance, we say, “kitni baar?” to ask “how many times”? Here, the word kitni means how many or how much. Next time, you want to remind someone of the previous meeting and refer to how much fun it was meeting last time, use this phrase, “pichli baar, it was so fun”. Or, you liked something from the last time but maybe not so much this time, you say, “pichli baar, acha tha” meaning “it was good last time”. You’d sound almost like a native, I bet. 

Plane Announcement in Urdu in Pakistan: Musaafir, tawujja fermaayen! Main aap ka kaptaan bol raha hoon. Pundra minute mein Karachi kay Jinnah international Airport per uternay waalay hain. Baraaye meherbaani, apnay hifaazati bundh ko mazbooti say baandhay rakhiyay.

This is a pro-Urdu sentence and before diving into what it means, recall the last time you were on a plane. What announcements did you hear? Let’s get to this one now. 

Musaafir means a traveler or in this case, a passenger, which means referring to all those taking this plane to fly to Karachi. If you want to know more, musaafir originates from the word safer (read: suffer) meaning a journey, and so the word musaafir literally translates to a person who is on a journey. Beautiful, isn’t it?

Tawujja fermaayen means “please pay attention”. It’s a formal way to ask someone to listen to you. Since Urdu has its roots from the Pakistani culture, the language inherits different ways of communication in formal and informal settings. The word tawujja means “attention”.

Main aap ka kaptaan bol raha hoon. This sentence translates to “I am your captain speaking”. Main means I. Aap ka kaptaan means “your captain”. Please note that kaptaan has a soft sound of “t” as opposed to the sound of “t” used in the regular English word captain. Well, we have got both soft and regular “t” sounds in Urdu. Bol raha hoon means “am speaking” where the word bol raha directly translates to speaking, and hoon meaning “am” is a helping verb in Urdu which comes at the end of the sentence. The sentence structure in Urdu is different and the verb/helping verb comes at the end of the sentence.

Wanna learn to speak Urdu? Click here!

Pundra minute mein means “in 15 minutes”. In Urdu, we do not have prepositions. Instead, as you learn Urdu, you’d notice that the prepositions become the postpositions and they would be positioned at the end of the word/phrase. Just like that, mein meaning “in” is positioned after the pundra minute.

Karachi kay Jinnah International Airport per uternay waalay hain translates to “about to reach the Jinnah International Airport of Karachi”. Looking into the sentence, Karachi kay Jinnah International Airport means “Jinnah International Airport of Karachi” where kay translates to “of”. The word per translates to “at” and is used as a postposition (as mentioned above). The last part of this sentence is the verb i.e., uternay waalay hain which means, “about to land”. Uterna means to land or to get down or to get off or to climb down. Here, hain is the helping verb “are”. While we are at this, it’d be nice to know that Jinnah International Airport is the largest international airport in Pakistan, and the only airport in Karachi. If you’re looking to travel to Pakistan, this airport would be your gateway to Pakistan.

Baraaye meherbaani is a formal way to say “please” in Urdu. 

Try and imagine yourself on an airplane while landing. What things come to your mind? Apart from the sigh of relief on reaching your destination, landings mean safety checks. Apnay hifaazati bandh translates to “your safety seat belts”. Hifaazati derives from the root ‘hifz’, which means to safekeep or preserve. This root word along with physical safekeeping of persons can also be used to mean to ‘preserve in memory’. Poetic, isn’t it?

Mazbooti literally translates to strength but it also means tightly, in which context it is used here. Baandh li jiyay means ‘to tie’ in a formal and respectful manner. 

The whole sentence means to “Please keep your safety seatbelts on”.

Taayi / Chaacha / Chaachi:

Taayi is an aunt in Urdu. Wait, wait, wait! It’s not that simple. Did you also hear the words chaacha and chaachi in that same scene? Let me explain! Since Urdu is born from the collectivistic culture, efforts and time has been spent in identifying each of the unique beautiful relations and naming them separately. So, taaya (adding for you), taayi, chaacha, and chaachi are all the relations from my dad’s side. My dad’s older brother is my taaya while my dad’s younger brother is my chaacha. Their wives, respectively, are taayi and chaachi. You recall your own taaya taayi or chaacha chaachi? How many do you have?

Churi:

Churi is a bangle in Urdu, commonly used for a glass bangle or a smaller bangle, the kind that Naani was wearing when she came to pick Kamala and Muneeba at the airport. The plural becomes churiyaan, and sometimes also called churis (like Kamala said).

Sirf keh rahi hoon:

This means “just saying” or “I am just saying”. The word sirf means “just” or “only”. If I want to say “I’m just saying”, I’d say this exact same sentence Sirf keh rahi hoon”. If I want to say “I’m saying”, just say keh rahi hoon which translates to “I’m saying”. 

Chalo aao:

The word chalo is one of the most versatile words in Urdu. Chalo is said to someone to ask them to come with you, like in the series where Naani is asking Muneeba to come with her. Chalo is said at the start of the sentence to invite them to do something, such as chalo khaalo meaning “let’s eat”. Chalo is also said as an okay, such as, chalo, ab main jaati hoon (okay, I’ll go now). Here, the person is not asking you to come with you or do something with you, they just mean it as an okay. The word aao means (you) come and is said to someone younger or in an informal setting. Together, chalo aao means, come with me.

Aao under chaltay hain:

As mentioned above, aao means “come” when we ask someone to come. The word under means inside. Chaltay hain in this context means “let’s go”. Here, this sentence means, “come, let’s go inside”.

Chaltay hain also means we are going. So, either you ask someone to join you to go, you say chaltay hain. Interestingly, often times in conversational Urdu, we also say chalo, chaltay hain. This means, okay, let’s go. Often this is said when someone is leaving your house and they are nicely telling you that they are leaving now.

Chaliyay (pronounced: chali.yay):

Chaliyay is another version of chalen or chalo. All these words mean the same thing, except that these words are used in different settings. Chaliyay and chalen are used in formal settings and are used interchangeably. It’s also used in instances of respect such as when you talk to your parents or uncles or aunts. Chalo is used in informal settings. It’s also used in instances where you talk to your kids or friends or just someone younger than you. Notice that the naani uses the word chalo with her daughter, Muneeba, and Muneeba uses the word chaliyay with her mother.

Pasoori:

One of the most iconic Pakistani pop songs of Coke Studio Season 14, this song was featured on Spotify’s “Viral 50 – Global” and witnessed over 10 million views on YouTube in just 10 days. Did I convince you yet to listen to this one? It’s gold, trust me! Linking here to listen to this beautiful song that went viral around the world. 

Paani Puri:

Paani Puri, also known as Gol Gappay, is one of the most loved and famous street food snacks in Pakistan. These are delicious and mouth-watering (just how I’m feeling as I am telling you). Let’s talk about what exactly Paani Puri is. Paani Puri snack has 2 elements. The main element is the hollow crispy ball of dough called Paani Puri ball, and the other element is the filling inside. The filling includes the solid filling and the liquid filling. The solid filling could be all kinds of different stuff such as boiled potatoes, onions, chickpeas, and the chutneys, often tamarind and mint chutney. If you like spicy, you sprinkle chilli powder and the traditional desi chaat masala on top, and it’s got all the mix flavors. You can choose to put all these fillings in your Paani Puri ball, or a few as per your choice. The last thing is the liquid filling. This is the liquid that tastes sour and spicy both! You pour the liquid into the Paani Puri ball and keep the entire crispy ball into your mouth. Divine! Disclaimer, sometimes eating Paani Puri becomes messy since eating the stuffed crispy ball all at once is an art that you definitely could master with practice of filling your mouths with this delicious snack.

I got to admit, this is by far my favorite street food snack from Pakistan. And the best one is found in Karachi (I’m also being biased here, as a Karachiite myself hahaha). 

Kurti lelou, Kurti lelou:

Kurti is referring to the very common dress in Pakistan which is a long (often straight) shirt. The word kurti is used for the long shirt worn by females while the word kurta is used for the long shirt worn by males. The word lelou means “take it” and in this context, it also means “purchase it” as the salesperson is trying to convince Kamala to purchase a kurti from him. 

Paanch Saw Rupiyay:

Paanch means five and saw means hundred. Together, paanch saw means 500. Rupiyay (singular: rupiya) in Urdu and Rupees in English is the national currency of Pakistan. To give an idea how much that is, Rs. 200 equals US$ 1. This kurti is just US$ 2.5. Amazing, isn’t it?

Teen hundred:

Teen means three in Urdu. 

Acha hai:

You say this when you like something. Acha hai simply translates to “it is good”. Very versatile and very simple and native way to appreciate someone or something. 

Desi:

The word desi is used for all South Asian community that includes people from India, Pakistan, and sometimes, Bangladeshi too.

Musaafir, mutawajja hon! Karachi Railway Station per khush-aamdeed (announcement at the train station):

Musaafir is a traveler or a passenger. Mutawajja hon is to ask to listen or pay attention. It’s similar to tawajja fermaaen, just different ways of saying it.  

Karachi Railway Station per khush-aamdeed means welcome to the Karachi Railway Station which is the Karachi Train Station. Khush-aamdeed means welcome and is often used in formal settings or to warmly welcome someone.

Oye, kon ho tum?

Oye is a slang for “hey” in Urdu. The word kon means “who” and tum means you (informal). The sentence means, “hey, who are you?”

Disco Deewanay:

One of the Pakistan’s oldest songs from the early 80’s by a famous Pakistani pop singer, Nadia Hassan. You must listen to it if you wish to relive some golden music era of the Pakistani industry.

Kaisay ho?

Kaisay ho is an informal or casual way to ask “how are you”. This is used among friends or any casual settings. Wait, it’s not that simple. Kaisay ho is used to ask males or a mixed group and while asking females, “kaisi ho” is used. 

Try kero

This one is pretty straightforward. It really means encouraging someone to try something and if we’re talking about biryani in Karachi, then I will be definitely saying “Try kero!”

Baby Oh Baby Song:

This is another old song by a famous Pakistani singer, Sajjad Ali. Let’s see what the beautiful lyrics mean:

Kisi kay kehnay pay na aana, (Don’t fall for what others say)

Main he tou hoon tera deewaana, (I’m the only one who is your lover)

Saaray Jahan ko hai bataana, (Let’s tell everyone)

baby, baby o baby,

teri merzi naheen chulni (we don’t follow others’ wishes)

Laung gawacha

A classic song from the 80s, it was very popular in Pakistan in our parent’s time, which is why it seems like Kamala’s ammi is jamming to it while cleaning!

From Punjabi, Laung gawacha literally translates to ‘lost my nose pin’. Now you might be thinking  who would write a song about that and why. Allow me to explain the essence of this Punjabi hit. The singer is talking to her lover, who she knows is trailing after her even though he doesn’t want to talk, so she’s basically asking him, as he follows behind, to look out for her nose pin which she has conveniently lost. Pretty complicated, don’t you think? Anyway, what’s uncomplicated is the absolute head-banging ability of Quratulain Baloch’s version of this song. Do listen to it!

Bethiyay! Arey, zara bethiyay na!:

Bethiyay means “sit down” in an extremely respectful manner. If I’m asking someone I deeply love to sit down, I’d say bethiyay. The expression arey is a versatile expression and is used in awe, in anger, in surprise, or in irritation or frustration. It’s just added at the start of the sentence and depending on the context that follows and the tone with which it’s said, it changes the meaning. zara means little bit or for a while. In this context, it’s used with zara bethiyay na, meaning please sit for a while. Just like arey, na is an expression word added at the end of the sentence whenever we would like to insist on something, along with adding a pinch of respect. Often, kids would insist to their parents or uncle aunts by adding na at the end of each sentence.

Ye kiya hogaya:

Ye is a pronoun which is used to indicate someone or something closer to the speaker. It can be meant as this or these, both in singular and plural contexts as well as living and non-living subjects. Kiya is a question prompt meaning ‘what’. The word hogaya is derived from the verb hona, the infinitive form of happen, meaning “to happen”. Therefore, hogaya refers to “have/has happened”. 

Putting the words together, ye kiya hogaya  means ‘What happened here?’ (Ye is translated to “here” within the indicative context of the sentence.)

Aray:

Aray is a versatile word in Urdu. It can be used to express surprise, disappointment, joy, annoyance and so much more depending on the context. 

You see your friend after a long time? Aray tum! (Hey, it’s you!)

You break your mother’s favorite teacup? Aray! 

You insist that your friend stays for dinner? Aray ruko na! (Please stay!)

All in all, it’s one of those words that are beautiful and give words to our emotions.

Dard hai?:

The word dard means pain. As you must have already known by now, hai translates to “is”. This short sentence translates to “Do you have pain?” This sentence can also mean “I have pain.”. The context of the conversation and your tone tell whether it’s a statement or a question.

Ye massage hai?:

Here is something interesting you should know. Many Pakistanis can speak English or a basic level of English due to a hundred years of British rule in the past. Even now, English is taught in schools in Pakistan from a very young age with the same vigor as Urdu. So, you’d find a 5 yo Pakistani child familiar with English already. Back to this sentence, ye massage hai translates to “is this a massage?” or, “you call this a massage?”. I’m assuming you are already familiar with ye and hai as we have talked about it earlier in this blog post.

Kia:

Kia is a question prompt meaning ‘what’

Naheen:

Naheen means “no” and when pronounced by a fluent Urdu speaker, you’d hear this word as “naee”. You must know that both words are the same and mean the same thing.

Ye bilkul ghalat hai. Bilkul sahee hai.

Bilkul means completely or totally. You might know of the Urdu word kul which translates as ‘total’. Bilkul is a derivative and implies the completeness or wholeness of something. If you want to say no to something completely, you say bilkul naheen! or if you want to agree with someone, you might say bilkul, just like you would say ‘totally!’. 

Aye, pagal hai kia?

Pagal is the PG-rated swear word of Urdu, which means crazy or stupid. You can hear siblings calling each other pagal very frequently or like in the episode, when someone tries to navigate Karachi traffic, they’re sure to hear a few ‘pagals’ here and there.  The word aye is an expression used to grab attention and is often used to express frustration, anger, or irritation. So, pagal hai kia? translates to “are you crazy?”

Bismillah:

Although this is Arabic, it is commonly used by Pakistani Muslims when starting something new. Muslims recite this as a prayer or an invocation, meaning ‘in the name of Allah’. We’re hoping what we’re about to do goes well. In simpler words, ‘Bismillah’ is the Islamic equivalent (more or less) of fingers crossed. 

Aye, kon hai?

The word kon means “who”. Kon is also used to ask who is speaking on the phone or when someone rings the doorbell. Aye, kon hai? translates to “Who’s there?”. 

Mujhay tumhaari bohut yaad aayegi. Mujhay bhi.

Mujhay tumhari buhut yaad aaye gi translates to “I will miss you a lot”. Although yaad is primarily used to mean ‘memory or remember’, yaad aayegi  is specifically to miss someone. You can say this when saying goodbye to someone you will not meet for quite a while and the logical reply most people would give is “me too’ or Mujhay bhi. 

Beta, ye kuch raqam hai, ye aap kay kaam aayegi, meray beta. Rakh lo. Beta juldi say gaari mein betho. Gaari chul rahi hai.

Beta is a repeated word throughout the series and is used as a term of endearment. 

Ye, as previously explained, means to indicate something or in this context translates to ‘here’. Kuch means some and raqam is cash/money. Ye kuch raqam hai translates to ‘Here is some money’. But the word raqam is used very formally and not commonly used in colloquial terms. The common word for it is pesa/pesay.

Ye aap kay kaam aaye gi means “You will need it/It will be of use to you”. Although this is not a word to word translation, the gist remains the same. Breaking this sentence into words or phrases, let’s see what they mean. Kaam means work or use. Aaye ga is used in combination with kaam to mean that something will be of use. You can say “Ye mere kaam aaye ga” about a person as well and it would mean (in the future tense) that ‘that person’ would be of use to you or will be helpful.

Although rakh lo is an imperative, it’s more of a request or an imploration. It means “keep it” in an informal manner.  

In Pakistani culture, there is a widespread habit of not accepting gifts or help from anyone. The right and proper custom is to keep saying Naheen, naheen, naheen a million times before they actually take whatever they are being offered. And on a more serious note, sometimes people help each other in financial need and with the aid they offer, they can say Rakhlo. Juldi can mean ‘hurry up’ or ‘fast’. But combined with say, the phrase means ‘quickly’. Gaari mein betho  translates ‘sit in the car, but as explained above betho generally means telling someone to sit.

Humaaray paas train mein jaga hoye ga? Aaj shaam ki aakhri train hai. Humen koshish kerni hogi.

Humaray paas means ‘with us, by us, for us’ depending on the context. Jagah means space or place. And hoye ga means ‘will be’. Together, this means “Will we get space in the train?”

One interesting thing I would like to add is that although the word hoye ga is used in the episode, it is not grammatically correct or simply said, not a part of formal Urdu. In grammatically correct Urdu, the sentence would be Humaray pas train me jagah hogi? where the noun jagah is feminine. This feminine nature of this noun is represented by the -i sound in the verb; hogi instead hoga and the correct form of hona is used. Hoye ga is colloquial and used commonly in some dialects of Pakistan and India, primarily influenced by Hindi.

Aaj on its own translates to ‘today’. But if used with another time of the day, it means that time of day specifically for the present day. For example, here it’s said aaj sham which means ‘this evening’ or in some contexts shaam (translation: evening) also means ‘night’. So, here aaj sham can also mean ‘tonight’. Ki is a possessive and aakhri means ‘last’. Therefore, Aaj shaam ki aakhri train hai means ‘This is tonight’s last train’. 

Humen indicates another possessive and means ‘we’. Koshish means ‘try’ which is also a feminine noun in Urdu and as explained previously, with it we say ‘hogi’. Humen koshish kerni hogi means ‘We have to try’. 

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Ms. Marvel Episode 5: Meaning of Urdu Words

SONG: Tu mera chaand, main teri chaandni. Main tera raag, tu meri raagni.

Released originally 2 years after Partition, this song is a classic song by Shyam and Suraiya. Let’s break it down.

Tu means ‘you’ in a highly informal setting. While addressing very close friends, using tu would be fine, but addressing someone older or in a formal setting, it is considered extremely impolite and even, rude. In some places of India, it is considered acceptable. Tu is often used in poetry and lyrics, just like here, to address a very dear one. Mera chaand translates to ‘my moon’. Moon of my life, ring a bell anyone? Tu mera chaand means “you are my moon”.

From the word, tu (meaning: you), we get teri which means ‘your’. Main teri chaandni means ‘I am your moonlight’; where chaandni is clearly derived from chaand and the addition of “ni” at the end of the word makes it feminine. 

Speaking of the pronouns, tu and teri, let’s look at “I” and “my” which translate to main and mera respectively. Raag translates to melody or music. Derived from it, comes raagni, that can be translated to “a song”. Therefore, main tera raag, tu meri raagni means “I am your melody, you are my song”.

This beautiful song goes like:

“You are my moon, I am your moonlight. I am your melody, you are my song.”

We find it so melodious. It’s such a beautiful way of declaring love and connection. What do you think?

Ager Hindustan kay Musalmaan, Hindu, aur Sikh, angrez raaj ka khaatma chahtay hain tou sirf isliyay kay unko azaadi chahiyay. Fasaad berpa kiyay bagher. Amun say. Laykin humaaray is pur-amun rawaiyyay ko humaari kumzori na sumjhiyay. Mahatma Gandhi nay kaha hai kay wo waqt aachuka hai kay hum kuch ker guzren. Ager humen larna para, tou hum larengay! Chaahay humen mout hee kiyoon na aajaye. Ye dherti humaari hai. Iss dherti ko huzaaron saal say apna khoon detay aaye hain hum. 

Let’s break this speech down into its parts. 

Ager means ‘if’ and just as we start a sentence with ‘if’ in English, we do the same in Urdu with ager. 

Hindustan kay Musalmaan, Hindu, aur Sikh means ‘the Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs of India’. Hindustan is the Hindi/Urdu name for India. Musalmaan, Hindu, and Sikh are all plural forms of ‘Muslim, Hindu and Sikh’. The Urdu word kay is a postposition used to show possession (similar to: of). 

Angrez in Urdu is used for anything that is remotely English or British and all of us have heard of British Raaj meaning ‘British rule’. Khaatma is derived from khatam, both of which mean ‘end’. ‘To want’ can be translated as chaahna. Therefore, chahtay, chaahiyay, chaahay are all the words used in this speech by Fawad Khan, but all of them are different forms of the same word (and thus have slightly different meanings). 

Chahtay (the verb with the suffix -ay) is used for plural subjects, as here it is used with Musalmaan, Hindu and Sikh. Sirf is liyay can mean ‘only because’. Bus is also used in place of sirf (explained earlier) but to mean ‘only’. In Unko azaadi chahiyay, Unko means ‘they’, azaadi means ‘freedom’, and chahiyay (same verb again) means ‘want’. 

So, the first sentence translates to, ‘If Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs want an end to the British Raaj, it’s only because they want freedom.’

Fasaad can mean ‘riot’ or ‘chaos’ but its connotation is always negative. Barpa is a word that means ‘cause’ and is generally used with fasaad. Baghair means ‘without’. This sentence translates to ‘without causing any riots’. Notice how it’s not a complete sentence, more like a continuation of the first one. And in the same vein, he says Aman say meaning ‘With peace’. 

If you feel there is a ‘but’ coming, there sure is, in the form of lekin. Again, we have humaray. After that there is the word pur-aman. Pur is used as a prefix in translation of the English suffix ‘-ful’. Pur-aman means ‘peaceful’. Ruwaiyya translates to ‘behaviour’. Humaari kamzori means ‘our weakness’. Notice the -i in humaari, which makes the word ‘our’ feminine. It’s because kamzori is a feminine noun. Kam means less and zori means strength; therefore, kamzori is literally ‘less in strength’.

Na samjhiyay means ‘don’t mistake it for’. Although samjhiyay can literally be translated to ‘understand’, here in this context, and being used in combination with na, it means something else. Thus, the fourth sentence says, ‘But our peaceful behavior shouldn’t be mistaken for our weakness.’ 

Have you noticed how Urdu sentences mostly end with verbs? 

The next sentence quotes Mahatma Gandhi. It translates to, ‘Mahatma Gandhi has said that the time has come when we do something!’ Here, wo waqt means ‘the time’, since we’re referring to a specific time. Aa chuka hai means ‘has come’. One can also say aagaya hai. 

The sentence ends with, Kay hum kuch kar guzrain which translates to ‘when we do something’. Now, karna is a verb meaning ‘to do’, but used with guzrain, the impact of what you’re about to do is enhanced, so it usually refers to doing something impossible or unthinkable. For example, if somebody dares you to jump off a cliff and you accept the challenge, you can easily say, Main ye kar guzrun ga! (I will do it!)

Moving on to the next sentence, Agar, as mentioned earlier, means ‘if’, humein and hum both translate to ‘we’, larna means ‘to fight’ with larey gay being one form of this verb meaning ‘will fight’. Tou simply means ‘so’, and para is used when we have to do something. Therefore, Hasan challenges here that, ‘If we have to fight, so we will fight!’ 

The next sentence is essentially a continuation of the previous one. You might recognise Chaahay from previous sentences, but here it means something totally different. Here, it becomes an imaginative word that translates to ‘even if’. And since the Urdu word for death is mout, mout aana/hona are used to express the ‘coming/happening’ of death. So, essentially, this sentence means, ‘Even if death comes’. 

As I explained previously, ye is an indicator to mean ‘this’. And then the beauty of the Urdu language jumps out where we have multiple ways of saying country or land. The soft-sounding word dherti is one of them. Ye dherti humaari hai beautifully translates to ‘this land is ours’. 

Finally, reaching the end of the speech, we see that Iss dherti ko translates to ‘this land’. Huzaar means (the number) ‘thousand’ and huzaaron is its plural (meaning: thousands). Huzaaron saal say can be translated to ‘for thousands of years’. Apna khoon detay aye hain would literally mean ‘have given our blood’ (khoon means ‘blood’). All in all, this sentence expresses that, ‘We have shed our blood for this land for thousands of years’.  

Hum lay ker rahengay. Azaadi!

A few of these words have already been talked about. What’s new in this sentence is the word  lay. It’s a form of the verb layna meaning ‘to take’. Simply put, this sentence would translate to ‘We will take our freedom!’ but the story doesn’t end here. Why is kar rahen gay added to the sentence? Does it add to the meaning? Yes, it lends strength and determination to the essence of the sentence, suggesting that ‘No matter what, we will take our freedom!’

Now, if someone is talking about taking his medicine, he will simply say, ‘Main dawaai lunga’ (dawaai means medicine). But if he says, ‘Main lay kar rahunga dawaai’ , the entire connotation of the sentence is changed. You might wonder, who’s stopping this guy from taking his medicine? Why’s he so determined and passionate about it all of sudden? 🙂 Thus, lay kar rahengay enhances the magnitude of the claim to express how people literally had to fight for their lives. They wanted their freedom, and they were going to take it, no matter what!

Zara zor say bolo.

Zara has been explained above.

And do you remember we talked about kamzor above as well? Well here we can only see zor. Connecting the dots, we can correctly infer that zor means strength. And bolo means to say/to speak. 

Zara zor say bolo just means ‘Say it/speak loudly/louder!’ 

Paratha

You can’t see me while I type but a little sigh escaped my lips at the mention of paratha. Oh how I would sell my left kidney even to eat my ammi’s paratha again. But sadly, expat life forces you to make your own parathas which never taste like home. Paratha is basically a thin fried piece of flatbread, made by hand kneading the dough and then rolling it out into a circle. Sometimes, the recipe is enhanced by adding layers or fillings to the paratha. Examples of these recipes are lachha paratha (paratha with multiple visible layers), aloo ka paratha (paratha filled with boiled and spiced potatoes), or qeema bhara paratha (paratha filled with minced meat), etc. The list can go on and on. You can add any type of filling to your paratha. People even eat Nutella paratha! And the best part? Parathas go with everything. For breakfast, with tea and eggs, for lunch with curries and lentils, and for dinner with any other dish imaginable. I will stop before it starts sounding like a love note to paratha. 😀

Aa jaa ray nindiya … Tu aa kiyoon na jaa .. Nindiyaa ray nindiyaa … Tu aa kiyoon na jaa … Nunhi si aankhon mein, ghul mil jaa… Aa jaa ray nindiya …

Music has been an integral part of this series. I especially love how accurate representations of time-honored classics are subtly woven in the episodes. Take this lullaby for instance. It was sung by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar.

Aa ja ray simply translates to ‘come on’. The interesting word here is nindiya. Nindiya is the lyrical version of neend (meaning ‘sleep’). In this lullaby, the singer is in dialogue with sleep itself. By saying aa jaa ray nindiya, the singer calls to sleep, asking it to come. Perhaps sleep refuses to come because the song continues with tu aa kyun na jaa (meaning ‘Why won’t you come?’)

Nunhi means ‘small’ or ‘little’, and, being a feminine adjective, it is used with feminine nouns. Here, nunhi is used to describe aankhon (meaning ‘eyes’). Ghul mil jana is a common phrase in Urdu; it means to mingle. Here, it can also be understood as meaning ‘dissolve’. Thus, Nunhi si aankhon mein, ghul mil jaa translates to, ‘[Sleep,] dissolve into these little eyes’. How poetic, right?

By the way, ghul mil jana can also be used in the context of people mingling or socializing. For example, for someone who mingles easily with people, we can say, wo logon me juldi ghul mil jata hai.

Doodh aur subzi chalay gi?

Chalna is the infinitive form of the verb which means ‘to go’. It can either mean to literally go somewhere or to figure out if something is okay with someone/something. Here, it’s being used as the latter. The person asks if doodh aur subzi are okay with Aisha or if she wants something else as well. Doodh means milk, aur means and, and subzi means vegetables, so this sentence translates to ‘Are milk and vegetables okay?’ 

Shukriya bhai. Aaj market mein…

Shukriya is probably one of the first words you learn in Urdu. It simply means ‘thanks’ or ‘thank you’. 

Bhai is the Urdu word for brother. But what’s interesting is that in Pakistan and India, bhai isn’t something you would just use to refer to your brother. It’s an interchangeable term of endearment and affection. So, it’s quite common for people to call each other bhai, sometimes even women!

Shukriya kaisa?

Kaisa means ‘how’, but if we literally translate this sentence, it will become ‘thanks how?’ which makes no sense. To understand this question contextually, we need to see why it’s being said. The person is basically inquiring why they’re being thanked. So, it translates to, ‘How can you say thanks?’

Iss say kaho apni khayraat apnay paas rakhay.

As we already discussed, iss is an indicative word meaning ‘this’. However, it’s not only used to refer to objects, but people as well. So, iss can also be indicative in the same way ‘him’ and ‘her’ are in English. Kaho, interchangeably used with the word bolo, means ‘say’. Iss say kaho can, thus, be translated to ‘tell him’. Apni khayraat means ‘his charity’. Apnay pas rakhay means ‘to keep it to himself’. All together, the sentence says, ‘Tell him to keep his charity to himself.’

By the way, did you notice that the verb is at the end of the sentence again?

Tum paagal ho gaye ho? Arey, tum hee kehtay thay hum ek hain. Aur ab? Tum hee angrezon kay haath mein khel rahay ho. 

In Urdu, there are two words for ‘you’ – the formal aap and the informal tum (the latter being used here). As mentioned earlier, paagal means ‘crazy’ or ‘stupid’. Arey is a commonly-used versatile expression that has been discussed earlier. You already know that kaho means ‘say’; the infinitive form of this verb is kehna. Kehtay thay, thus, translates to ‘used to say’. Ek is the word for the number ‘one’. Ab means ‘now’ and haath is the word for hand. Khel rahay ho is the present continuous form of the verb khelna (meaning ‘to play’). So, together this entire exclamation translates to, ‘Are you crazy? You used to say that we are one. And now? You are playing into the hands of the British.’

Ye sub tumharay liyay asaan hai kehna. Tumhen tumhaaray ghar say kisi nay naheen nikaala. Phas tou main gaya hoon. Na koi mujh say phool khareednay ko tayyaar hai, aur na hee koi meri biwi ko doodh bechnay ko tayyaar hai. Kiyoon? Kiyoonkay main musalmaan hoon?

Sub can be used to refer to people, things, or even situations. It can mean ‘everyone’, but in this context, coupled with ye, it means ‘all of this’. Asaan means ‘easy’ and ghar means ‘house’. There are multiple verbs here. Kehna means ‘to say’, nikaala can be translated to ‘kick out’ or ‘forcefully evict’, phas refers to being trapped or stuck in something or in a situation, and finally, khareednay and bechnay both refer to buying and selling, respectively. Phool is Urdu for ‘flowers’. 

Kiyoon and kiyoonkay both sound similar, but have different, albeit related meanings: kiyoon means ‘why’ and kiyoonkay means ‘because’. Tayyaar refers to being ready, prepared, or even willing. Biwi means ‘wife’, and doodh is the word for ‘milk’. And as you might already know, musalmaan is the Urdu word for ‘muslim’.

Therefore, this entire dialogue translates to, ‘All of this is easy for you to say. Nobody has kicked you out of your house. I’m the one who’s stuck. Neither is anyone ready to buy flowers from me, nor is anyone willing to sell milk to my wife. Why? Because I’m a Muslim?’

Maaf kerna bhaiyya. Bura na maanna. Parayshaan hain.

Aisha’s folded hands and apologetic expression may already have given away the meaning of these words. Yes, she’s apologizing. Maafi is the word for ‘forgiveness’ in Urdu, and maaf kerna means ‘to forgive’. This sentence is continued with bura na maanna, translating to ‘don’t mind’. Parayshaan can means ‘worried’, ‘distressed’ or ‘disturbed’.

Bhaiyya comes from bhai, the word for brother (but used for pretty much anyone), so both can be used interchangeably. Overall, these three small sentences translate to, ‘Forgive him, brother. Don’t mind. He’s worried.’

Koi baat naheen. Sub log dar gaye hain. Ye waqt bhi nikal jaaye ga.

Koi generally means ‘any’. Naheen is used to say ‘no’, ‘not’, or basically express any sort of negation. Baat can be used to refer to a matter, news, or something someone said. This word is quite versatile. If you say, mujhay baat kerni hai, it means ‘I want to talk’. Or, if someone asks, kia baat hai? They are inquiring, ‘what’s the matter?’ In this context, koi baat naheen can be translated to, ‘no problem’ or ‘it’s okay’. It’s something usually said after accepting an apology. 

Sub is said in reference to people here which becomes quite clear with the addition of the word log (literally meaning ‘people’). Dar, as a noun, means ‘fear’. Dar gaye hain is the verb form and it translates to ‘have become scared’. Waqt is the word for ‘time’. Nikalna is the infinitive form of the verb that mostly means ‘to leave’, but here, it is in the context of ‘passing’. Thus, all in all, the translation would be, ‘No problem. Everyone has become scared. This time, too, shall pass.’

Platform one pay train tayyaar hai jaanay kay liyay.

Pay is a preposition meaning ‘on’. Tayyaar, as discussed earlier, means ‘ready’, ‘prepared’. Jaanay is a form of the verb jaana which means ‘to go’. However, here, it’s used in the context of a train, so a more appropriate translation for it would be ‘departure’. Kay liyay are postposition meaning ‘for’. Overall, the sentence translates to, ‘The train is ready for departure on platform one.’

Aa jaao meray saath.

Aa jaao means ‘come’. Meray saath would transkate to ‘with me’. So, it says, ‘Come with me.’

Bacha

Bacha means child. Unlike its feminine counterpart bachi, bacha can be used to refer to both a male or female child, same as beta. While not as widely used as beta, this word still carries with itself the sense of warmth and elderly affection that comes with beta. But make sure you only use it for those younger than you!

Platform one, train jaanay waali hai.

Here, the verb jaana (‘to go’ or ‘to leave’) to used in the future tense. Waala, waali, or waalay are words used when referring to something that is about to happen. Hence, the announcement translates to, ‘Platform one, the train is about to leave.’

Kahaan ho?

Kahaan is a question word meaning ‘where’, and the question here simply translates to, ‘Where are you?’ Notice that if literally translated, this question would mean ‘where are’ which doesn’t make sense. However, in Urdu, the subject ‘you’ is sometimes omitted in commands or questions. This rule is shared by the English language as well. For example, when you say, ‘come here’, you needn’t include ‘you’, even though it’s understood that the sentence actually, grammatically means, ‘you come here’. Isn’t it fascinating how different languages often overlap, not just in their vocabulary, but with their grammar too?

Train kay saaray dabbay bhar chukay hain.

Kay is a preposition meaning ‘of’. Saaray means ‘all’ and dabbay is plural for the word dabba (meaning ‘box’). Here, train kay dabbay is used in reference to the train compartments, not any literal boxes. Bharna is the infintive form of the verb which means ‘to fill up’. Thus, the announcement exclaims that, ‘All train compartments are full.’

Chaltay rahiyay

The verb chalna has been discussed above. Here, it is used in the context of ‘moving’. The phrase translates to, ‘keep moving’.

Bhaiyya, aap nay abhi ek choti si bachi ko dekha hai?

Bhaiyya means ‘brother’, as mentioned earlier. Choti si bachi literally means ‘small (female) child’, but it can also translate to ‘little girl’. Dekhna is the infinitive form of the verb meaning ‘to see’. The question translates to, ‘Brother, have you just seen a little girl?’

Naana Abbu

When we say naana, we mean our ammi’s abbu (‘mother’s father’ or ‘maternal grandfather’). Although naana is used on its own too, the addition of abbu just adds another layer of warmth and affection to the term because, of course, our mother’s father is also like a father to us, right? It can also be used to refer to your great-grandfather, just like Kamala uses it to refer to Hasan. 

Bhai, aap nay ek choti si bachi ko kaheen dekha hai?

This question isn’t much different from Hasan’s previous one, so the meaning is quite similar. The only difference is the word kaheen meaning ‘anywhere’. Thus, it translates to, ‘Brother, have you seen a small child anywhere?’

Tum kahaan thi?

Unlike the previous question kahaan ho, this one does mention the subject. So, you see, it’s really up to you if you’d like to mention it or not when asking a question or making a command. Anyway, the question translates to, ‘where were you?’ 

Munni (Naani used for Muneeba)

This cute word, Munni, is used to refer to a ‘baby girl’. It can also be, as you’ll notice, short for Muneeba. So, parents can affectionately call their daughters Munni. Thus, this is Nani’s sweet nickname for her daughter. 

Ammi, aesi koi baat naheen hai.

Aesi can be used to make a reference to something. For example, here, it is being used to make a reference to the baat Naani is saying. It can be translated using the indicator ‘like that’. Baat can be a ‘matter’, ‘news’, or anything anyone suggests or talks about. Here, we just use it to mean ‘thing’ (in ‘nothing’) when we simply translate this sentence to, ‘Mom, it’s nothing like that.’

Tu Jhoom (Song)

Tu Jhoom is Coke Studio’s song released this year in their fourteenth season. With its soulful melody, it carries a spiritually enlightening message. Tu is a very informal way of saying ‘you’ in Urdu, and jhoom comes from the verb jhoomna which has meanings of ‘to swirl’ or ‘to sway’. Thus, it would literally translate to ‘you swirl’, but in the context of the song, the idea of swirling refers to the act of letting go. There is, however, a lot more to this beautiful song. If you’re interested in learning more, make sure to check out our interpretation of the lyrics here.

Ms. Marvel Episode 6: Meaning of Urdu Words

Cpt. Space (Song)

Another Pakistani song, this time by the indie band Janoobi Khargosh, opens Ms. Marvel’s season finale. While the song isn’t as widely popular as the Coke Studio hits you’ve heard so far, it still has a catchy tune, and you’re sure to love it! You can listen to this fun soundtrack here. 

Tauba

Now, this is once again one of those versatile words that really express the speaker’s emotion. While tauba literally means repentance, that’s not the context it’s usually used in. If your Pakistani friend suddenly exclaims tauba, it’s not because they’re asking you to repent. No, they’re either being sarcastic, expressing their dislike of something or are just totally shocked or surprised. I know it sounds a little confusing, but their tone and facial expression will help you make sense of the context they say the word in. For example, if you tell your Pakistani friend that you missed homework because you were playing video games, and they exclaim tauba while shaking their head at you, well, it’s clear they’re a tad bit disappointed in your life choices. 

However, this is not to say that tauba is never used literally. The verb tauba kerna, meaning ‘to repent’, is used quite often when people are referring to asking forgiveness from God. 

Hadippa

A catchy Punjabi tune, this song is a collaboration between Pritam and DJ Hot Americano. You can listen to (and perhaps dance along) to a remix version of this song here. 

Ya Allah

Literally translating to ‘Oh God’, ya Allah is a Muslim’s call to God. But, think about the English ‘oh my God’ (or OMG, as most people say it nowadays). Ya Allah is an exclamation and a sudden expression of emotion just like OMG is. You would find Pakistanis saying ya Allah if they want to express shock, surprise, frustration, sadness, or even awe and happiness. For example, if you’re at a Pakistani American friend’s house and they accidentally break their mother’s china teacup, you might hear her exclaiming Ya Allah! Or if you show your new bracelet to a Pakistani coworker, they might say, Ya Allah, this is beautiful! 

With that being said, the religious connotation remains, and Muslims often begin with ya Allah while praying to their Lord. 

Kamal

This one was explained by Kamala’s father already. How fascinating is it to know that Kamala literally is Ms. Marvel! Her name derives from the word kamal meaning ‘wonder’ or ‘marvel’ in Urdu. Well, all I can say is, Kia kamal ki baat ki hai, Abbu! (What a marvelous thing you’ve said, Abbu!)

Shawarma

Did you catch that Mean Girls’ reference right there? Well, that was Nakia’s South Asian take on it. Shawarma is a popular street food, not just in Pakistan, but in many other countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, etc. And it’s cooked in an interesting way! Pieces of chicken or mutton (or other types of meat) are stacked to form the shape of a cone. This is roasted on a rotating spit, and cut off and served, wrapped in bread, and topped with lots of condiments or veggies. Yum! 

Aavegi (Song)

Ms. Marvel just came to an end, that too with this amazing song. While this is one of the show’s original soundtracks, the singer Ritviz is an uber-talented musician from Bihar, India. I guess now you’ll have to admit that South Asian music is one of the best in the world!

You can enjoy the full song here, and bid farewell to Ms. Marvel. For now at least – because as they said, Ms. Marvel will return in The Marvels!

End note, finally!

The excitement at Ms. Marvel for us Pakistani Americans is not because it shows the Pakistani culture in its entirety (it doesn’t). We are excited because, through Ms. Marvel, the media started correcting the course on the stereotypic view of the Pakistani culture. It will pave the way for more people to be curious about our community and the different ways we interact with each other. Most importantly, it has shown Pakistani Americans not as a segment aloof from the society, but as a normal part of it. A part that embraces its uniqueness while assimilating with the broader culture, making the world a little more colorful.

The post Ms. Marvel: A comprehensive guide to the meaning of Urdu words and Pakistani cultural references appeared first on Learn Urdu With Annie.

Learn Urdu With Annie - Making speaking Urdu accessible, inclusive, and comfortable for all.

Counting is one of the very first topics you can learn while getting to know a new language. It’s basic, easy, and a great trick at parties! “Hey, guess how many languages I can count in?” is always a wonderful conversation starter, and bonus points for cuteness if your kid does it.

If you’re on the lookout for fun ways to help your kids learn counting or to kickstart your own counting adventure, songs and rhymes are a fantastic place to start! Tunes and rhymes work wonders for remembering new words, especially when diving into a new language. Maybe you’re wondering, “Where should I begin?”

As someone in the education field, I’ve got you covered with a range of rhymes suitable for different language familiarity levels and age groups, from beginners to more advanced learners. So, whether you’ve got toddlers or preschoolers, you’ll find something here to keep them entertained while they learn. The best part is, they’re catchy enough for even adults to sing along. So, don’t be shy! Teen, dou, ek, let’s learn to count in Urdu together! Chalo!

1) A Song for All Beginners (Kids & Adults) to Count 1 to 10 with Confidence: Dhobi aaya, Dhobi Aaya

The “Dhobi Aaya” song is a gem I’ve found ideal for learners of all ages. Whether your little one is just dipping their toes into the world of language or already stringing together sentences, this rhyme is a must-have in their collection.

Why is it such a standout? Well, it’s short, sweet, and oh-so-repetitive, making it a powerhouse for learning those crucial counting skills from 1 to 10 in Urdu. But it’s not just about education; it’s about having a blast while learning too! The simplicity of each sentence and the length of the rhyme make it easy for all ages to learn, retain, and repeat Urdu counting with a catchy rhythm and playful vibe.

In my Shairu course, I’ve seen firsthand how this rhyme works its magic. From 4-year-olds to the savvy 6-year-olds, it’s been a smash hit! And in my private lessons with all ages, learning counting in Urdu became super easy with this song. So, if you’re ready to sprinkle some joy into your or your child’s learning journey, give this rhyme a try. Get ready to chant “Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya!” and watch the smiles light up the faces. Trust me; it’s pure magic!

Pro Tip: “Bus” (pronounce it like a school bus) is one of the most common words in Urdu. It means stop or that’s it. Remember to use it next time you want someone/something to stop.

Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)

Kitnay Kupray laaya? (How many clothes did he bring?)

Ek, Dou, Teen, (One, Two, Three)

Chaar, Paanch, Chay, (Four, Five, Six)

Saat, Aath, Naw, (Seven, Eight, Nine)

Dus, Aur Bus. (Ten, and That’s It.)

2) A Children’s Rhyme for Beginner Kids: Ek, Dou, Teen, Haathi Niklay

This catchy rhythm is perfect for young children! Beautifully written and sung by Bilal Maqsood, this rhyme has a way of sticking in your mind. I found myself playing it on repeat while creating resources for my courses, and I absolutely loved it! If you follow me on Instagram and have seen my stories, you already know how much I enjoy it, haha!

You can imagine how much kids would love it too. I tested this rhyme in my Shairu course with children aged 4-6, and it was a huge hit, especially among the 4-year-olds. They quickly learned and remembered the song and were eager to sing along. The video itself is a joy to watch, with fun animations and incredibly creative expressions of the elephant and the tortoise. It’s truly phenomenal! There are only a handful of Urdu rhymes that spark the imagination like this one.

I recommend this rhyme for all ages, but given that the second sentence might be a bit long for kids under 5, it’s especially great for ages 5 to 10 and even older kids who enjoy fun animations and good music (like me!). The rhyme’s simplicity, with its repeated second sentence, makes it easy for young children to follow along. Once your little ones have mastered “Dhobi Aaya,” this rhyme could be the next step to introduce them to more vocabulary, creativity, and imagination.

Ek, Dou, Teen, (One, Two, Three,)

Haathi niklay meray school kay chotay bustay say (Elephants came out of my small backpack)

Chaar, Paanch, Chay, (Four, Five, Six,)

Haathi niklay meray school kay chotay bustay say (Elephants came out of my small backpack)

Saat, Aath, Naw, Dus (Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten)

Haathi niklay meray school kay chotay bustay say (Elephants came out of my small backpack)

3) Kids & Adults, Level Up Your Counting & Vocabulary with This Song: Dhobi aaya, Dhobi Aaya

Time to level up the fun! If you or your kiddo have outgrown the basics and are ready for a bit more challenge, this intermediate-level rhyme is the perfect next step. It’s a step up from the earlier version we discussed, featuring longer sentences and a tad more complexity, like a cool older sibling of the one we talked about earlier. But fear not, the essence of counting fun remains intact!

Designed for slightly older kids, say around 5 to 10-year-olds or for adults, this one starts off with a catchy melody that’ll have everyone tapping their toes. Once the counting begins, the sentences are shorter, simpler, and packed with repetition – the perfect combo for eager learners.

So go ahead, turn up the volume and groove to the rhythm of “Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya,” and watch yourself or your child counting the way to ten!

Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)

Kitnay Kupray laaya? (How many clothes did he bring?)

Gin kay butaao zara, kitnay kupray laaya? (Tell please after counting, how many clothes did he bring?)

Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)

Kitnay Kupray laaya? (How many clothes did he bring?)

Ek, Dou, Teen, (One, Two, Three)

Chaar, Paanch, Chay, (Four, Five, Six)

Saat, Aath, Naw, (Seven, Eight, Nine)

Dus, Aur Bus. (Ten, and That’s It.)

Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)

Konsay Kupray laaya? (Which clothes did he bring?)

Dekh kay butaao zara, konsay kupray laaya? (Tell please after looking, which clothes did he bring?)

Laal laaya (Brought red)

Peela laaya (Brought yellow)

Subz aur neela laaya (Brought green and blue)

Dhobi aaya, Dhobi aaya, (Washer person came, washer person came)

Konsay Kupray laaya? (Which clothes did he bring?)

Dekh kay butaao zara, konsay kupray laaya? (Tell please after looking, which clothes did he bring?)

Kurta laaya (Brought a shirt)

Chaadur laaya (Brought a sheet)

Topi mozay laaya (Brought cap and socks)

Lala lala .. lala lala .. lala lala laalaa

BONUS: Gamify everyday actions with counting. Here’s how!

Use different people or professions and make your own rhyme by adding what did they bring. I’m sharing five different examples below to help you get started.

Example 1: Phul waala aaya, phul waala aaya, kitnay phul laaya? (The fruit seller came, the fruit seller came, how many fruits did he bring?)

Example 2: Subzi waala aaya, subzi waala aaya, kitni subzi (plural: subziyaan) laaya? (The vegetable seller came, the vegetable seller came, how many vegetables did he bring?)

Example 3: Ammi aain, ammi aain, kitnay tohfay laain? (Mom came, mom came, how many gifts did she bring?)

Example 4: Abbu aaye, abbu aaye, kitnay tohfay laain? (Dad came, dad came, how many gifts did he bring?

Example 5: Doctor aaya, doctor aaya, kitni duwaaiyyaan laaya? (The doctor came, the doctor came, how many medicines did he bring?)

Notes: Urdu has names for different people because it’s common to have street sellers selling fruits or vegetables while walking with their carts in every street. In Pakistani households, it’s common to purchase fruits or vegetables from the street sellers. Another interesting thing that you may have noticed is how the word “how many” in Urdu changes with the gender of the object. Kitnay is used for masculine objects that are brought such as phul and tohfay. For feminine objects such as duwaai (duwaaiyaan) and subzi (subziyaan), use kitni. Similarly, the word “came” in Urdu changes with the gender of the person. Aaya is used for singular/informal masculine such as subzi waala or phul waala. Aaye is used for singular/formal masculine such as abbu. And aain is used for singular/plural feminine such as ammi.

Most important reminder: As you try this activity with the kids, don’t forget to have fun!

Teacher Tip: I must add that children can benefit from exposure to rhymes and songs in different languages from a very early age, even as early as infancy. Byers-Heinlein, Morin-Lessard, & Lew-Williams (2017) have mentioned that infants as young as six months old can detect differences in sounds between languages, and that exposure to multiple languages can have cognitive and developmental benefits. However, the optimal age for exposing children to rhymes of different languages may vary depending on the child’s individual characteristics and the cultural and linguistic environment they grow up in. Some children may be more receptive to language learning at an earlier age, while others may benefit from waiting until they are a bit older.

4) A Rhyme for Advanced Learners: Perfect for Older Kids: Ek, Dou, Teen, Chaar

This rhyme is ideal for advanced learners and suitable for older children. It starts with simple counting in groups of four, which is easy to follow if your child has already mastered rhymes like “Dhobi Aaya” and is ready for a new challenge.

The rhyme includes counting from 1 to 30, making Urdu counting easier and more engaging by incorporating a school setting. A wonderful aspect of this rhyme is that, in addition to practicing Urdu counting, kids also get to enjoy basic Urdu vocabulary around going to school. Given the length of the rhyme, I recommend it for school-going children if they are advanced learners, and over the age of 7 if they are new to the language, and are ready to dive into more vocabulary.

Note: The best way to enjoy this rhyme is breaking it into parts to ensure each group of counting numbers is understood and memorized before you move onto the next one. Slow and steady wins the race!

Ek, Dou, Teen, Chaar, (One, Two, Three, Four)

Chalo chalen, school yaar. (Let’s go to school, friend)

Paanch, Chay, Saat, Aath, (Five, Six, Seven, Eight)

Purhna likhna achi baat. (Studying is good)

Naw, Dus, Giyaara, Baara, (Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve)

School humaara, sub say piyaara. (Our school is the best)

Tera, Chawda, Pundra, Sola, (Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,Sixteen)

Mummy nay ye piyaar say bola. ( Mummy said it with love)

Sutra, Athaara, Un.nis, Bees, (Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty)

School say milti achi cheez. (We get fun things from school)

Ik.kis Baa.is, Tay.is, Chawbis, (Twenty one, Twenty two, Twenty three, Twenty four)

Tiffin mein laatay bread aur cheese.(We bring a cheese sandwich in our lunchbox)

Puch.chis, Chub.bis, Sut.taais, (Twenty five, Twenty six, Twenty seven)

Teacher saaray hotay nice. ( All teachers are nice)

Athaa.is, Unut.tis, Tees. (Twenty eight, Twenty nine, Thirty)

Puppa school ki bhurtay fees. (Papa pays the school fees)

5) A Unique Rhyme for Advanced Kids & Adults: Chaar Chaar, Laal Timaater

This rhyme is designed for advanced learners and is suitable for older children. Unlike other rhymes, it starts in the middle, beginning with the number 4. Since it contains no repetition and includes more complex words not commonly used in daily life (like names of vegetables and sweets), I recommend it for older kids who already have some familiarity with the language. For those who are new to Urdu, over the age of 7 might be a more appropriate age.

There’s an interesting story behind the inclusion of this rhyme. While researching for this post and discussing with my friend, Hadia, she recalled a rhyme from her childhood that her mother used to sing to her. She now has a baby daughter, and the fact that she still remembers this rhyme shows how much she enjoyed it back then. Naturally, she wanted to share it. However, when we looked it up on Google, we were surprised to find zero relevant search results. So, Hadia called her mom to ask her how she knew this incredibly elusive rhyme. She told us she read it from a book once and sang it to her. We asked around, and it seems nobody else has heard of this rhyme! Unbelievable, right? It’s amazing to know something that even Google doesn’t have, haha! Without further ado, here are the lyrics:

Without further ado, I’m writing the lyrics here.

Chaar chaar laal timaater (Four, four red tomatoes)

Aalu, kheera, aur chukunder (Potato, cucumber and beet)

Paanch pay roti khaaye bunder (On Five, the monkey eats roti)

Chay pay khichri, pait kay under (On Six , the khichri goes in my tummy)

Saat huay ub Aath pay aaja (Seven is done, let’s come to Eight)

Bhaag kay aaja, bhaag kay aaja (Run to me, run to me)

Naw, naw, naw meri naa sun (Nine, nine, nine, don’t listen to me)

Hulvay say badaam na chun (Don’t pick the almonds from the halva)

Dus pay aa kay khaa lay phul (On Ten, you can eat the fruit)

Baaqi kul bhai baaqi kul (And do the rest tomorrow)

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Note

Please note that the ages mentioned in this blog post are based on my observation as an educator. Each child has a unique learning style and level, so it’s best to see how your child reacts to any new rhyme or song you share with them. Age is tricky because it depends on multiple factors, including the child’s exposure to the language and their learning demeanor. The trick is to ensure they are comfortable and understand the words being said to them.

If you feel your child is not responding or doesn’t interact much in Urdu, enrolling them in Urdu lessons is a good step. These lessons will help build the foundation of the language, allowing them to fully understand you and feel comfortable hearing and speaking Urdu.

References:

Byers-Heinlein, K., Morin-Lessard, E., & Lew-Williams, C. (2017). Bilingual infants control their languages as they listen. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(34), 9032-9037.

The post Count Down to Fun in Urdu! A Guide to Introduce Urdu Counting to Kids and Adults with Music appeared first on Learn Urdu With Annie.