40 Difficult Urdu Words You Must Learn Now

Did you know that Urdu is the 21st most widely spoken language in the world, with over 100 million speakers? That’s a whole lot of people trying to get their tongues around some of the most difficult Urdu words in the language!

Nonetheless, Urdu is a beautiful and complex language known for its unique sounds and pronunciation. For instance, the guttural غ (ghayn) sound or the rolled ر (re) – these sounds are like tongue twisters for those unfamiliar with Urdu vocabulary. And don’t even get me started on the nasalized vowels! But fear not; with a bit of practice and a lot of patience, anyone can learn to speak Urdu like a pro. So, if you’re ready to take on the challenge of mastering the difficult Urdu words, grab a glass of water and get ready to exercise those vocal cords!

List Of Difficult Urdu Words

For many new learners, Urdu’s various consonant and vowel sounds can be quite challenging. It’s not just about learning difficult Urdu words and grammar, it’s about mastering the art of pronunciation. Considering this, below is a list of beautiful Urdu words that are considered difficult to pronounce according to the locals.

English	Urdu	Pronunciation
Pride	غرور	Ghuroor
Imagination	تصور	Tasawwur
Movement	حرکت	Harkat
Virtues	فضائل	Fazaail
Desire	آرزو	Aarzoo
Construction	تعمیر	Taameer
Honor	غیرت	Ghairat
Assumption	قیاس	Qayaas
Special	خاص	Khaas
Incomplete	ناقص	Naaqis
Acceptance	قبول	Qubool
Means	ذریعہ	Zaraiya
Extraordinary	غیر معمولی	Ghair-mamooli
Letter	خط	Khat
History/ date	تاریخ	Taareekh
Jump	چھلانگ	Chhalaang
Complaint	شکایت	Shikayat
Wrong	غلط	Ghalat
Grave	قبر	Qabar
Anger	غصہ	Gussa
Demand	تقاضہ	Taqaazaa
Hunger	بھوک	Bhookh
Search	کھوج	Khoj
Displeasure	ناراضگی	Naraazgi
Doomsday	قیامت	Qayamat
Word	کلمہ	Kalama
Green	سبز	Sabz
Open	کھلا	Khula
Delicate	نازک	Nazuk
Dust	خاک	Khaak
Etiquette	اَخْلاق	Akhlaaq
Ruined	خراب	Kharaab
North	شمال	Shumaal
Lord	خداوند	Khuda-wand
Elderly	بزرگ	Buzurg
Courtesy	نوازش	Nawaazish
Throne	تخت	Takht
Derivative	مشتق	Mushtaq
Ardent	مشتاق	Mushtaaq
Intellect	عَقْل	Aql

Why Are These Words Considered Difficult?

There are many reasons to explain why many may consider Urdu a difficult language, especially with many new sounds that may sound foreign to their ears, and it becomes challenging to pronounce such Urdu sounds. Read below to find out why.

#1 Unique Consonant Sounds

Urdu has several consonant sounds not found in English, such as qaf and kha. These sounds can be particularly challenging for English speakers, who may not know how to use the same muscles in their mouth and throat trained to make these sounds. The qaf sound is produced by constricting the back of the throat in a way that is not common in English. Some of those difficult words are Quran (قرآن) or Qufl (قفل), meaning lock or latch.

Similarly, the Urdu alphabet kha is pronounced by constricting the back of the throat, similar to the sound made when trying to clear one’s throat. It is a voiceless velar fricative consonant. You can practice it by pronouncing difficult words like Khuda (خدا), meaning God, or Khaana (خانہ), meaning kitchen.

#2 Extensive Use Of Aspirated Consonants

Urdu also extensively uses aspirated consonants, where a strong burst of air accompanies the sound. This can be particularly challenging for English speakers who are not used to using this type of articulation. For example, the Urdu word taaza (تازه), meaning fresh, is pronounced with a strong burst of air at the beginning of the ‘t‘ sound.

#3 Vowel Length

Urdu has a number of long vowel sounds, which are not typically found in English. This means that English speakers may have difficulty distinguishing between short and long vowel sounds in Urdu, which can lead to mispronunciations. For example, the word raat (رات), meaning night, has a long ‘aa’ sound, which may be difficult for English speakers to master.

#4 Retroflex Consonants

Urdu also makes use of retroflex consonants, where the tip of the tongue is curled back and pressed against the roof of the mouth. These sounds are not found in English and can be challenging to master for speakers. For example, the Urdu word parcham (پرچَم), whose English meaning is a flag, contains a retroflex ch sound.

#5 Stress Patterns

The Urdu language has a different stress pattern from English, making it difficult for English speakers to know which syllable to emphasize. In Urdu, stress is typically placed on the second-to-last syllable of a word. English speakers may therefore need to retrain their ears to identify and reproduce this pattern.

Why Should You Learn Urdu?

There are many compelling reasons to learn Urdu. Perhaps the most important reason is the rich cultural heritage of the Urdu-speaking world. You see, Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and is widely spoken in India and parts of Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia. By learning this Asian language, you can gain a deeper appreciation for this region’s literature, music, and art.

In addition to its cultural significance, Urdu is also important for business and commerce. Many multinational companies operate in Pakistan and India, and having a working knowledge of Urdu can open doors for employment and business opportunities.

Learning Urdu can also help you connect with the region’s people on a personal level. Knowing the language can facilitate communication and foster relationships, both in personal and professional contexts.

Finally, learning Urdu can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience in its own right. Although, mastering the rich and complex Urdu grammar can be challenging, it is also immensely satisfying. So whether you are interested in the culture, business, or personal connections of the Urdu-speaking world, there are many good reasons to start learning this fascinating language.

How Do You Say “Word” In Urdu Language?

In Urdu, we say word as لفظ (lafz). It’s plural is الفاظ (alfaaz). Although we all know the meaning of the word “word”, in Urdu it basically refers to any meaningful thing written and spoken by people.

More Vocabulary Related To Difficult Urdu Words

There is a vast array of Urdu vocabulary related to “difficult Urdu words”. Let’s have a look.

English	Urdu	Roman
Difficult	مشکل	Mushkil
Complex	پیچیدہ	Paicheeda
Terminology	اصطلاحات	Istilahat
Vocabulary	لغات	Lughat
Meaning	مفہوم	Mafhoom
Interpretation	تفسیر	Tafseer

Common Questions About Difficult Urdu Words

What Is Unique About Urdu?

The unique aspects of the Urdu language are its vast literature, Nastaliq script, and diverse range of vocabulary. Plus, Urdu is a mixture of 7 languages: Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Turkish, Prakrit, and other regional languages. Therefore, it includes a blend of South Asian linguistic and cultural aspects, proving to be a unique language.

Is Urdu The Language Of Love?

Thanks to its poetic and expressive nature, Urdu is known as the beautiful and the language of love. Urdu poetry and ghazals help express deep emotions in a more subtle manner. There are also other Urdu words that are used to express affection and the beauty of the beloved. In short, it is due to these features that Urdu is known as the language of love.

What Are Famous Words In Pakistan?

There are some famous Pakistani words that hold deep cultural, religious significance. For instance, ایمان (iman), محبت (muhabbat), قوم (qoum), عزت (izzat), امید (umeed), خوشی (khushi), etc. In English, these words means: Faith, Love, Nation, Respect, Hope, and Happiness, respectively.

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