50+ Basic Urdu Words: Impress Your Urdu Family And Friends

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If you plan a long wished visit to Pakistan and reconnect with your Urdu speaking family and friends, learning some basic Urdu words and phrases in Urdu can greatly help you communicate more effectively.

Additionally, while traveling around the country, you will notice that many street signs or menus may be in Urdu.

Plus, it is also a great way to show respect for the culture and demonstrate a willingness to engage with the local community.

Therefore, a basic understanding of words in the language can make navigating the country much easier. So, don’t rely on English alone! Impress your Urdu-speaking family and friends right now!

I bring you the most basic Urdu words and phrases that you should learn before traveling to an Urdu-speaking location.

What Are The Most Basic Urdu Words And Phrases?

Did you know that Urdu is one of the two official languages of Pakistan?

It is widely spoken throughout the country! In addition, this beautiful language is also spoken in parts of India and by many people in the United Kingdom and the United States.

However, as in many languages, English words are used while speaking Urdu as well.

Three common such words are hello, okay, and bye. 

To help you familiarize yourself with several other common Urdu terms, here is a simplified list to start with. 

1. Hello — ہیلو (Hello)

2. Yes — جی ہاں ( Ji Haan)

3. No — نہیں (Nahin)

4. Please — برائے مہربانی (Barae Meharbani)

5. Thanks — شکریہ (shukriya)

6. Goodbye — خدا حافظ (Khuda hafiz)

7. Good morning — صبح بخیر (Subha Ba Khair  or Assalam O Alaikum)

8. Good afternoon — دوپہربخیر (Do Pehar Ba Khair or Assalam O Alaikum)

9. Good evening — شام بخیر (Shaam Ba Khair or Assalam O Alaikum)

10. Good night! —   شب بخیر (Shab Bakhair!)

11. Congratulations — مبارک ہو (mubarak ho)

12. My name is ……. — میرا نام ہے ……. (Mera Naam Hai…..)

13. Nice to meet you — آپ سے مل کر خوشی ہوئی (Aap se Mil Ke Khushi Huwi)

Two men speaking basic Urdu words and having a great conversation

Urdu Vocabulary Used In Daily Conversations

In the Urdu language, respect is given to people by referring to them as aap. This is often the norm.

Sometimes, people may refer to their peer or someone younger by saying “tum,” but as Urdu is a very sweet-spoken and gentle language, most people always use aap in daily conversations.

You can learn more daily life Urdu vocabulary through the Ling app.

Below are some examples that you can use to practice with your friend:

EnglishUrduPronunciation
What are you doing?آپ کیا کر رہے ہیں؟Aap kia kar rahe hain?
What is your name?آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟Aap ka naam kia ai?
See you laterپھر ملتے ہیںPhr milte hain
How much does this cost?اس کی قیمت کیا ہے؟Is ki qeemat kia hai?
Can you help me, please?کیا آپ براہِ کرم میری مدد کر سکتے ہیں؟Kia aap barah-e-karam meri madad kar sakte hain?
I am trying to learn Urdu. (male)میں اردو سیکھنے کی کوشش کر رہا ہوں (مرد)Me Urdu seekhne ki koshish kar raha hun. (mard)
Excuse me (to get information)معاف کیجئے (معلومات حاصل کرنے کے لیے)Maaf kijiye (maalomat hasil karne kyliye)
Take care of yourself اپنا خيال رکھناApna khyal rakhna
Do you speak English?كيا آپ انگريزی بولتے ہیں؟Kia aap angrezi bolte hain?
Where are you from?آپ کہاں سے ہیں؟Aap kahan se hain?
How old are you?آپ کی عمر کيا ہے؟Aap ki umar kia hai?
Nice to meet youآپ سے مل کر خوشی ہوئیAap se mil kar khushi hui
Do you like it?کیا یہ آپ کو پَسند آیا؟Kia yeh aapko pasand aya?
I really like it!!یہ مجھےبہت پَسند آیاYeh mujhe bohat pasand aya!

How To Communicate In Urdu While Doing Shopping?

To immerse yourself in the daily life and culture of the Urdu-speaking people, it is suggested to try to go shopping to experience the hustle and bustle of the whole ordeal!

If you are not familiar with the Urdu culture as an immigrant or a traveler, the sellers may try to sell items at a very high price or may convince you to purchase items that are absolutely worthless to your needs.

Here is a list of shopping vocabulary in Urdu that can help you to avoid such situations.

EnglishUrduTransliteration
How much is this?یہ کتنے کا ہے؟Yeh kitne ka hai?
It is expensiveیہ مہنگا ہےYeh mehnga hai
Please reduce the price a bit.براہِ مہربانی قیمت تھوڑی کم کریںbarah-e-mehrbani qeemat thori kum karain
I will give you 100 Rupees.میں آپ کو سو روپے دوں گاme aapko so rupy dun ga
Noنہیںnahin
Pleaseبراہِ مہربانیbara-e-meharbani
Thanksشکریہshukria
Sorryمعذرتmaazrat

What Are The Urdu Words That Will Help You Survive In Restaurants

Though the eccentric cuisine of Urdu-speaking people can be a dream come true for many, others may have specific dietary needs and tastes.

It is important to learn some essential Urdu phrases to order what you want.

Do not hesitate to speak about your wishes at a restaurant! Simply follow the phrases below:

EnglishUrduPronunciation
What is available to eat?کھانے میں کیا ہے؟Khane main kia hai?
I am hungry/thirsty.مجھے بھوک/پیاس لگ رہی ہےMujhe bhook/piyas lag rahi hai
What is less spicy?کم مسالے والا کیا ہے؟Kam masale wala kia hai?
I am vegetarianمیں سبزی کھور ہوںMein sabzi khor hun
Please bring the billبِل لا دیںBill laa dain
Food was greatکھانا بہت اچھا تھاKhana bohat acha tha
I didn’t enjoy the foodمجھے کھانے میں مزا نہیں آیاMujhe khane main maza nahi aya
Is there anything else?کچھ اور ہے؟Kuch or hai?

What Are The Name Of The Days In Urdu?

Booking appointments, transportation, interviews, setting deadlines, and ensuring that laundry arrives on time will require you to learn the name of the days, date and time in Urdu.

It may require a bit of diligence to master this list early on in your language-learning process.

But it will be worth it for you not to miss an appointment or commitment, which is highly valued among Urdu-speaking people.

EnglishUrduPronunciation
MondayپیرPeer
TuesdayمنگلMangal
WednesdayبُدھBudh
ThursdayجمعراتJumeraat
FridayجمعہJumah
SaturdayہفتہHafta
SundayاتوارItwar
TodayآجAj
Yesterdayکل (ماضی کےلیے)Kal (maazi ke liye)
Tomorrowکل (مستقبل کے لئیے)kal (mustaqbil ke liye)
MorningصبحSubah
Evening شامShaam
AfternoonدوپہرDopehar
NightراتRaat
What day is it today?آج کیا دن ہے؟Aaj kia din hai?
What day will you come?تم کس دن آؤ گے؟Tum kis din aao ge?

Vocabulary About Family In Urdu

Pakistanis are renowned for being family-oriented individuals. Members of the family are deeply committed to each other.

The Urdu language is influenced highly by the Muslim religion.

Therefore, several terms related to the family also descend from there.

Perfect examples are Abbu for father and Ammi for mother.

Not all Urdu-speaking families are Muslims, but this is useful to know.

So, as a beginner, here are a few basic Urdu words related to family that you must learn:

EnglishUrduTransliteration
Fatherباپbaap
Motherماںmaa
Brotherبھائیbhai
Sisterبہنbehen
Daughterبیٹیbeti
Sonبیٹاbeta
Partnerساتھیsaathi
Siblingsبہن بھائیbehen bhai
Parentsماں باپ / والدینmaa baap/waledain
Childrenبچےbache
Childبچہbacha
Step motherسوتیلی ماںsoteli maa
Step fatherسوتیلا باپsotela baap
Step sisterسوتیلی بہنsoteli behen
Step brotherسوتیلا بھائیsotela bhai
Step sonسوتیلا بیٹاsotela beta
Step daughterسوتیلی بیٹیsoteli beti
Daughter-in-lawبہوbahu
Son-in-lawداماد (بیٹی کا شوہر)damad (beti ka shohar)
Sister-in-lawنند (شوہر کی بہن)
سالی (بیوی کی بہن)
nand (husband’s sister)
saali (wife’s sister)
Brother-in-lawدیور (شوہر کا چھوٹا بھائی)
جیٹھ (شوہر کا بڑا بھائی)
بہنوئی (بہن کا شوہر)
سالا (بیوی کا بھائی)
devar (husband’s younger brother)
Jeth (husband’s elder brother)
Behnoi (sister’s husband)
Saala (wife’s brother)
Mother-in-lawساسsaas
Father-in-lawسُسَرsusar
Wifeبیویbiwi
Husbandشوہرshohar
Elder brotherبڑا بھائیbara bhai
Younger brotherچھوٹا بھائیchota bhai

This list below will support your sentences related to the days of the week and times of the day.

A tricky but perhaps easy one to remember would be “kal” which means both yesterday and tomorrow!

Here are some common and basic Urdu words that are associated with time.

EnglishUrduPronunciation
TodayآجAj
YesterdayکلKal (for past)
TomorrowکلKal (for future)
NowابھیAbhi
TimeوقتWaqt

How Do You Say ‘Word’ In Urdu Language?

In Urdu, we say word as lafz– لفظ. It is a singular form and its plural word is alfaz– الفاظ.

Tips To Help You Master Basic Urdu Words Easily

Here is a quick list of basic Urdu words and phrases that you can easily learn and communicate with the natives like a pro on your next trip:

  1. Start with memorizing the greetings and the words of politeness that you will use daily like Assalamualaikum, please, thank you, etc.
  2. Focus on daily used vocabulary like numbers, dates, and directions.
  3. Make the flashcards with the Urdu words on one side and meanings on the other.
  4. Practice them daily for better retention.
  5. Recall these words by forming a table like the ones presented in this article.
  6. Practice accurate pronunciation in front of the mirror as in talking to someone.
  7. Speak with your Urdu-speaking friend for better identification of your mistakes.
  8. Watch Urdu movies, podcasts, or blogs with sub titles to familiarize yourself with the context.
  9. Listen carefully how the natives speak to analyze tone.
  10. Communicate with the locals if you have reached the location for better understanding of the rhythm and flow.

FAQs About Basic Urdu Words

What Is The Urdu Word For ‘Mom’?

The basic Urdu words for Mom is ammi – امی , amma-اماں , or maa -ماں. Another formal word used to refer to mom or mother is walida – والدہ.

What Urdu Word Does The Pakistanis Use To Say Wife?

Pakistanis call their wife by using Urdu words like zauja – زوجہ or biwi – بیوی. Here, zauja is a formal way of refering to wife while biwi is the most commonly used word.

What Is The Common Urdu Word For OK?

The Urdu word for OK is theek hai –  ٹھیک ہے or sahi hai -صحیح ہے.

Wrapping up! A Quick Summary Of Basic Urdu Words And Phrases

That’s it for today! I hope this article was helpful to you and that you have learned some basic Urdu words and expressions that you might need before your journey.

You can easily use these words in your daily conversations with the locals to enquire for information or to just have a small talk.

Considering this, we have added a long list of Urdu words and phrases including the greetings, relationship vocabulary and the shopping words as it is what we come across often as we travel.

This article also contains the calendar related vocabulary to help you with the days, date, time, and directions in Urdu when visiting your relatives or long-lost friends.

For a quick guide, we have also added the tips that you can follow to learn the basic Urdu vocabulary quickly and efficiently.

What’s More?

The Urdu language still has a lot more to offer.

And, for learning more such expressions or simply exploring a quick Urdu-travel guide, Ling has your back.

It provides its language learners a simple gamified platform that offers fun quizzes, practice exercises, and other fun mini-games to practice language.

You can even communicate with the in-app chatbot to practice speaking language.

Convincing, right? So, are you ready to learn Urdu right now? Download the app now and make learning fun and effective!

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Should you join us too? The answer is YES! Here’s why:
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    • Essential vocabulary and useful phrases in bite-sized lessons
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    • Listening and speaking practice with native speaker audio
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    1. Thank you for expressing interest in Urdu. We are proud to be one of the few providers of language learning for language learners wanting to learn a South Asian language, and we even offer you to learn any of our 60+ languages in your mother tongue. To learn more about our subscription plans, you can click here and the languages that we support can be found here.

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