Want to treat your passion for Urdu by becoming proficient in it but are confused about how long does it take to learn Urdu?
Nonetheless, learning a language different from your native one can be difficult, but the right strategies can reduce the hours you put into it. The same goes for Urdu.
However, what are these golden strategies?
Learning Urdu is more than memorizing words
Explore more →
This article will discuss this in detail to provide you a quick estimate of how long it take to learn Urdu.
Let’s begin!
Table Of Contents
How Long Does It Take To Learn Urdu: A General Overview
As a native Urdu speaker, I must say that learning Urdu is a fun and rewarding journey.
It is because of its wide range of words and phrases to express all kinds of emotions, feelings, and ideas, all politely and metaphorically.
If you are a beginner or want to enhance your language skills, setting realistic language learning goals is the first step to start learning.
The following is a general overview of how long it takes to learn Urdu, with golden tips and tricks to accelerate your learning speed.
Basic Conversation Skills: 3 To 6 Months
With consistent effort over 3 to 6 months, you, as a beginner, can master basic conversation skills. During this period, you will:
Memorizing Vocabulary
Learning new vocabulary, especially basic words and phrases for simple interactions is the first and most important step in the learning process. However, since Urdu vocabulary is vast, it’s important to take your time to ensure effective retention.
Mastering Basic Urdu Grammar
Understanding the basics is essential to mastering any second language, as they are like the pillars of a strong foundation. In addition to the Urdu alphabet and vocabulary, mastering sentence structure, parts of speech, and other grammatical rules is also important.
Learning Essential Phrases Of Daily Use
Phrases for brief introductions, greetings, and everyday expressions serve as a life savior.
Specifically, as an Urdu language learner, you will need to use these phrases almost daily as Urdu-speaking people love to greet and have small talk with each other almost daily.
Interaction with native speakers here will also help you immerse and practice the language.
Note: You can do this through language learning apps and other online resources like YouTube videos.
Intermediate Language Proficiency: 6 To 12 Months
Now that you have acquired basic vocabulary and grammar, it’s time to advance your language-learning process. It’s time to handle daily conversations and basic reading and writing.
By the end, you will be able to acquire:
Basic Speaking Skills
Once you have understood the basics, consider moving to the next component of language learning, which is speaking.
Start learning the accurate letter pronunciation, sounds of Urdu vowels, and other basic phrases. For this, I would suggest you watch Urdu movies.
They will speed up your learning process and also make it entertaining. You can also practice speaking by listening to native speakers and repeating what they say.
Read Simple Texts
At this stage, you’ll be able to read and understand stories or simple texts. Practice reading storybooks aloud to hear yourself pronounce each word.
This will give you the dual benefits of improving both your reading and speaking skills.
Write Simple Urdu Sentences
At this stage, you will also start to write Urdu. Make short and simple sentences with correct sentence structure and grammar to slowly and steadily familiarise yourself with writing Urdu.
Note: As you progress, you’ll need to enhance your learning strategies by incorporating Urdu movies, news, podcasts, and other informative Urdu media.
Advanced Fluency: 1 To 2 Years
Compared to the basics, achieving fluency and proficiency in the Urdu language, will require more time and practice.
It is a plus point if you reside in an Urdu-speaking region, as it will provide you with exposure to the language.
During these years, you will:
Understand Complex Texts
You can now accurately interpret and analyze Urdu literature and complex Urdu movies.
Nonetheless, understanding the hidden meaning behind literature is also an art.
Write In Depth
Along with improving your speaking and reading skills, you have also advanced in writing.
You can now practice crafting well-structured, longer pieces that use complex vocabulary and a polished writing style.
Advanced Cultural Understanding And Mastering Complex Conversations
Urdu culture is very immersive and accommodating, so it is easy to interact with Urdu-speaking people.
The simple trick is to greet assalamualaikum (السلام علیکم) and ask kia haal hain? (کیا حال ہیں؟ ) or briefly introduce yourself, and you are good to go.
Note: To become a fluent and proficient Urdu speaker, you will still need consistent practice to develop a proper cultural understanding, master communication with deeper meanings, and learn complex colloquial expressions.
How Do You Say ‘Learn’ In Urdu?
The Urdu word for ‘learn’ is seekhain (سیکھیں). But there are other Urdu words for it.
Let’s take a look at them!
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| To study/learn | پڑھنا | Parhna |
| To gain knowledge | علم حاصل کرنا | Ilm hasil karna |
| To gain education | تعلیم حاصل کرنا | Taleem hasil karna |
If we take an example of How long does it take to learn Urdu, we can say this in Urdu as Urdu seekhne main kitna waqt lagta hai (اردو سیکھنے میں کتنا وقت لگتا ہے؟).
We can also use these words in sentences as follows:
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Language learning apps are good tools to learn a new language. | زبان سیکھنے کے ایپس نئی زبان سیکھنے کے لیے اچھے اوزار ہیں۔ | Zabaan seekhne ke apps nayi zaban seekhne keliye ache auzar hain |
| Learning/ acquiring education helps in improving the future. | تعلیم حاصل کرنا مستقبل کو بہتر بنانے میں مددگار ہوتا ہے۔ | Taleem hasil karna mustaqbil ko behtar banane main madadgar hota hai. |
| Learning is the best way to acquire knowledge. | پڑھنا نئی معلومات حاصل کرنے کا بہترین طریقہ ہے۔ | Parhna nayi maloomat hasil karne ka behtareen tareeqa hai |
| Learning/gaining knowledge is essential for progress. | علم حاصل کرنا ترقی کے لیے ضروری ہے۔ | Ilm hasil karna taraqi keliye zaroori hai |
How Long Does It Take To Learn Urdu Fast: A Few Quick Tips
If you are so passionate and excited to learn Urdu in the least time possible, keep the following few quick tips in mind:
- Begin with basic and daily-used words and phrases. Memorize common Urdu vocabulary and basic Urdu phrases to greet or initiate simple conversation.
- Indulge yourself in Urdu media as much as possible. Watch Urdu movies, listen to Urdu songs, or engage with Urdu TV shows or Podcasts. Pick new words and phrases you like, learn them, and practice them in your conversations to retain them.
- Make use of flashcards to memorize difficult vocabulary or label household items, like kitchen items, electrical appliances, or other home accessories, to create visuals as you learn.
- Think in Urdu. Try making simple Urdu sentences in your mind and imagine how you can say this in Urdu to gain confidence in the language.
- Stay consistent and practice regularly. Constant practice and consistency are the keys to turning your passion into progress. So, keep practicing as much as possible to become fluent in Urdu quickly!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To How Long Does It Take To Learn Urdu
Which Language Is Easy To Learn If You Know Urdu?
One advantage of learning Urdu is that it also introduces you to other languages since it is a blend of seven languages.
For example, Hindi is relatively easy to learn because it shares similar grammar and vocabulary with Urdu. Urdu poetry exposes you to the Persian language, and the scripts of both languages are the same.
Arabic contributes to the Islamic vocabulary in Urdu, and its script is identical to Urdu’s, making it easier to learn Arabic if you know Urdu.
However, learning Hindi is the easiest for Urdu speakers because Hindi makes up a significant part of the Urdu language.
Which Countries Speak Urdu?
Except for Pakistan and India, where Urdu is also an official language of Muslims, it is spoken in many other South Asian countries.
Although this list is very vast, a few prominent names of countries that speak Urdu are Afghanistan, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, UAE, the US, the UK, and many more.
Which Is The Oldest, Hindi Or Urdu?
Hindi is the oldest language, and in fact, Urdu is the assimilation of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Hindi. Here, Sanskrit and Prakrit are also the dialects of Hindi.
Nonetheless, Urdu and Hindi were considered the same language till the 19th century, and the only difference between the two was the script; Hindi follows the Devanagari script while Urdu script is Nastaliq.
Fuel Your Passion By Learning Urdu Fast
Hopefully, now you have your answer to the question how long does it take to learn Urdu. So, tighten your seatbelts and get ready to fuel your passion as you are about to become a pro Urdu speaker!
You heard right! Just remember, don’t overwhelm yourself. Start small and simple and progress through stages for steady growth. Begin with the basics. Learn basic vocabulary and basic grammar rules to set your foundation.
Now, it’s time to start learning pronunciations and mastering Urdu script. Then comes the last stage, which comes when you have already become proficient enough at conversing in Urdu.
Yet, to fuel your passion with more advanced knowledge, you begin analyzing complex texts and writing and even explore the culture for an in-depth knowledge.
Interested To Learn More?
So, finally, your passion has brought you here to learn Urdu more deeply.
Undoubtedly, Urdu is considered South Asia’s most beautiful language, thanks to its expressive and poetic nature.
If you are passionate about learning this expressive language, make the Ling app your language partner.
The Ling app has a gamified interface, which makes learning fun and engaging! It contains beginner-friendly lessons, several practice exercises, and fun quizzes, which can be a sweet treat for your passionate soul craving to become proficient in Urdu.
Adding more to it, Ling offers its passionate learners a Chatbot to assist them as they embark on their journey to satisfy their passion!
So, what are you waiting for?
Hurry up and treat your passionate soul with the best gift ever!
