200+ Basic Urdu Words And Phrases: An Easy Guide

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.

If you plan a long wished visit to Pakistan, learning some basic words and phrases in Urdu can greatly enhance your experience and help you communicate more effectively with locals. Additionally, while traveling around the country, you will notice that many street signs or menus may be in Urdu, so a basic understanding of words in the language can make navigating the country much easier.

It is also a great way to show respect for the culture and demonstrate a willingness to learn and engage with the local community. Don’t rely on English alone! Are you ready to learn Urdu as a new language experience? I bring you the most common words and phrases in Urdu that Ling believes you should learn before traveling to an Urdu-speaking location.

Let’s start!

What Are The Most Basic Urdu Words And Phrases?

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)

Other 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.

Don’t know where to start learning Urdu? First, try to contact local native speakers. It is best practice to also use the best means or tools for every day. Why not try Ling first? Download the Ling app from the App Store and Google Play.

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

English	Pronunciation	Urdu Phrases
What are you doing?	aap kya kar rahe hai	آپ کيا کررہے ہو؟
What is your name?	Aap Ka naam Kya Hai	آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟
See you later	phir milain-gai	پھر مليں گے
How much does this cost?	Is Ki Qeemat Kia Hai	اس کی قیمت کیا ہے؟
Can you help me, please?	Kya Aap Meri Madad Kar sakte hain	کیا آپ میری مدد کر سکتے ہیں؟
I am trying to learn Urdu (Male)	Main Urdu Seekh Raha Hoon	میں اردو سیکھنے کی کوشش کر رہا ہوں (مرد)
Excuse me (to get information)	Maaf Kee ji ye	معاف کیجئے (معلومات حاصل کرنے کے لیے)
Take care of yourself	apna khayal rakhna	اپنا خيال رکھنا
Do you speak English?	kya aap angrezi bolte hain?	كيا آپ انگريزی بولتے ہیں؟
Where are you from?	aap kahan sai hain	آپ کہاں سے ہیں؟
How old are you?	aap ki umr kya hai?	آپ کی عمر کيا ہے؟
What are you doing?	aap kya kar rahe hai	آپ کيا کررہے ہو؟
What is your name?	Aap Ka naam Kya Hai	آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟
See you later	phir milain-gai	پھر مليں گے
Nice to meet you	Aap se Mil Ke Khushi Hui	آپ سے مل کر خوشی ہوئی
Do you like it?	Kya Yeh Aap Ko Pasand Aya?	کیا یہ آپ کو پَسند آیا؟
I really like it!	Mujhe Yeh Bahut Pasand Aya!	!یہ مجھےبہت پَسند آیا

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 a local, 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.

English	Pronunciation	Urdu Phrases
How Much is this?	Ye Kitne ka Hai	یہ کتنا ہے
It is Expensive	Mehanga Hai	اس کی توسیع
Please reduce the price a bit	Kuch Kam Karain	برائے مہربانی قیمت کو تھوڑا کم کریں۔
I will give you 100 Rupees	Main 100 rupees doonga	میں تمہیں 100 روپے دوں گا۔
No	Nahin	نہیں
Please	Barae Meharbani	برائے مہربانی
Thanks	shukriya	شکریہ
Sorry	Maaf Kee ji ye	معاف کیجئے

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 phrases to order what you want. Do not hesitate to speak about your wishes at a restaurant! Simply follow the phrases below:

English	Pronunciation	Urdu Phrases
What is available to eat?	Khane Main Kia Hai	کھانے میں کیا ہے۔
I’m hungry/ thirsty.	Mujhe Bhuk/Piyas Lagrahi Hai	مجھے بھوک/پیاس لَگ رہی ہے
What is less spicy?	Kam Masale wala Kia Hai	کم مسالہ دار کیا ہے۔
I am Vegetarian	Main Subzi khor hon	میں سبزی خور ہوں۔
Please bring the bill	Bill La Dain	براہ کرم بل لائیں۔
Food was great	Khana Bohat Achha Tha	کھانا بہت اچھا تھا۔
I didn’t enjoy the food	Khane Main Maza Naheen Aaya	مجھے کھانے سے لطف نہیں آیا۔
Is there anything else?	Kuch Owr Hai	کچھ اور ہے

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 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.

English	Pronunciation	Urdu Phrases
Monday	Peer	پیر
Tuesday	Mangal	منگل
Wednesday	Budh	بدھ
Thursday	Juma Raat	جمعرات
Friday	Juma	جمعہ
Saturday	Hafta	ہفتہ
Sunday	Itwar	اتوار۔
Today	Aaj	آج
Yesterday	Kal	کل
Tomorrow	Kal	کل
Morning	Subha	صبح۔
Evening	Shaam	شام
Afternoon	Do Pehar	دوپہر
Night	Raat	رات
What is the day today?	Aaj Kia Din Hai	آج کا دن کیا ہے۔
What day will you come?	Tum kis Din Aao Ge	تم کس دن آؤ گے

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:

English Words	Pronunciation	Urdu
Father	Baap	باپ
Mother	Maa	ماں
Brother	Bhai	بھائی
Sister	Behan	بہن
Daughter	Beti	بیٹی
Son	Beta	بیٹا
Partner	Saathi	ساتھی
Siblings	Behan bhai	بہن بھائی
Parents	Waldain	والدین
Children	Bachay	بچے
Child	Bacha	بچہ
Stepmother	Soteli maa	سوتیلی ماں
Stepfather	Sotela baap	سوتیلا باپ
Stepsister	Soteli behan	سوتیلی بہن
Stepbrother	Sotela bhai	سوتیلا بھائی
Step son	Sotela beta	سوتیلا بیٹا
Step daughter	Soteli beti	سوتیلی بیٹی
Daughter-in-law	Bahu	بہو
Son-in-law	Damad	داماد
Brother in law	Sala Jaith Dewar Behnoi	سالہ (Wife’s brother) جیٹھ (Husband’s elder brother) دیور (Husband’s younger brother) بہنوئی (Sister’s husband)
Sister in law	Saali Nand	سالی (Wife’s sister) نند (Husband’s sister)
Mother in law	Saas	ساس
Father in law	Sasur	سسر
Wife	Biwi	بیوی
Husband	Shauhar	شوہر
Elder brother	Bara bhai	بڑا بھائی
Younger brother	Chauta bhai	چھوٹا بھائی

Basic Words In Urdu Related To Time

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.

English Translation	Pronunciation	Urdu
Today	Aaj	آج
Yesterday	Kal (for past)	کل
Tomorrow	Kal (for future)	کل
Now	Abhi	ابھی
Time	Waqt	وقت

Master Yourself In The Urdu Language With Ling

I hope the content of this page was helpful to you and that you have learned some Urdu phrases, expressions, and words for your travel. Make sure to remember them so that you can use them in your daily conversations.

Learning a new language from Ling is like playing a game. It is simple and effective. With the support of language research, Ling can help you achieve fluency in record time. Here are the benefits of using the Ling app to learn Urdu or any other language:

• Fun mini-games and quizzes can help you quickly master a new language.
• Practice hundreds of conversations anytime, anywhere. Discuss everyday topics with our chatbot.
• Master the language with a lot of instructions and grammatical hints.

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