Are you struggling to find a good guide to improve your Urdu language skills? Don’t worry! With this blog post, you have just hit the jackpot. Especially if you are planning to visit Pakistan soon and want to become a fluent Urdu speaker, this blog has everything you need. Continue reading to discover all the short Urdu phrases with proper translations.
Learning Urdu is not an easy task. While some greeting words and lines are a good start at catching up with Urdu vocabulary, to become fluent in speech, learning some short phrases like What is this- یہ کیا ہے, My name is…- …میرا نام ہے, etc., are a must. In case you have already gone through such common words and phrases in Urdu, this blog will help you revise and memorize primary expressions.
So, in today’s blog, you will find all the commonly used terms and phrases under different categories that will build your fluency in speaking Urdu. If you are interested, let’s not waste any more time and jump right into it.
Greetings In Urdu
Before we move on to the phrases and translations, let us get acquainted with the basic greeting phrase and gestures in Urdu that local people commonly use.
The primary Urdu word that locals use to greet each other is آپ پر سلامتی ہو- as-salaam-alaikum. When one greets with this phrase, the other person is expected to reply with a وعلیکم السلام- Wa Alaikum Assalam. The former means, “Peace be upon/with you,” and the latter says, “peace be also upon/with you.”
Usually, men greet each other by shaking hands and hugging one another, and women hug and kiss each other on their cheeks and wish them peace. They also have a hand gesture where they take their right hand forward with their palms inward in front of their face. It follows with “Adaab,” which reflects good manners and Islamic etiquette. It is a way of showing respect and politeness to others. Pakistani people are very welcoming and friendly, and they would appreciate a greeting back from you whenever they meet you.
One thing to remember is that women and men don’t shake hands or hug each other while greeting. Although it is very common in the western world and is a part of basic manners, in Islamic culture, men and women need to maintain a particular distance. They greet each other with hand gestures and avoid any physical contact. So, before you greet someone, make sure you keep this point in mind.
Nevertheless, you will surely find people who speak English in Pakistan and are acquainted with modern etiquette. However, knowing some cultural basics will bring warm responses and allow you to show some respect for their Islamic culture.
Short Urdu Phrases
Now we will go through all the basic and short Urdu phrases that will help you converse in the Urdu language fluently. If you are already familiar with the lists given below, go through them once again and try to read the roman figures without looking at the translation to revise and learn by heart. In case you are new, you will find all the easy phrases that will surely enhance your Urdu vocabulary. So, let’s get started.
Greeting Phrases In Urdu
Here we will go through all the greeting phrases that will help with daily conversations. Once you land in the country, use such phrases to start a conversation and make friends easily. So, please give them a good read.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| How are you? | آپ کیسے ہو؟ | Aap kaisay ho ? |
| Good morning | صبح بخیر | Subah bakhair |
| Have a nice day | آپ کا دن اچھا گزرے | Aap ka din acha guzray |
| I am doing well | میں اچھا کر رہا ہوں۔ | Mein acha kar raha hon |
| My name is… | میرا نام ہے… | Mera naam hai. . . |
| What is your name? | آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟ | Aap ka naam kya hai? |
| I am from… | میں یہاں سے ہوں… | Mein yahan se hon … |
| Where are you from? | آپ کہاں سے ہیں؟ | Aap kahan se hain ? |
| I don’t know | مجھ نہیں پتہ | Mujhe nahi malum |
| Are you from Pakistan? | کیا آپ پاکستان سے ہیں؟ | Kya aap Pakistan se hain? |
| It is a pleasure to meet you | آپ سے مل کر خوشی ہوئی۔ | Aap se mil kar khushi hui |
| See you soon | پھر ملیں گے | Phir milein ge |
| We should meet often | ہمیں اکثر ملنا چاہئے۔ | Hamein aksar milna chahiye |
| Good night | شب بخیر | Shab bakhair |
| Sleep well | اچھی طرح سونا | Achi terhan sona |
| Goodbye | خدا حافظ | Khuda hafiz |
Mealtime Phrases In Urdu
Pakistan is a hub of delicious food items and a mix of perfect flavors. However, it can be difficult to figure out what to order and how to order in a foreign country with a different food culture. The Urdu words below will surely help you in such situations and let you freely ask questions and enquire about food items during your mealtime with the locals. Learn them and devour the best traditional dishes of the country.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| When is lunchtime? | دوپہر کے کھانے کا وقت کب ہے؟ | Dopehar ke khanay ka waqt kab hai? |
| I want water | مجھے پانی چاہیئے | Mujhe pani chahiye |
| Do you serve beef? | کیا آپ گائے کا گوشت پیش کرتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap gaaye ka gosht paish karte hain? |
| I can’t eat this | میں یہ نہیں کھا سکتا | Mein yeh nahi kha sakta |
| I ate well | میں نے خوب کھایا | Mein ne khoob khaya |
| The food is delicious | کھانا مزیدار ہے | Khana mazedar hai |
| What is this? | یہ کیا ہے؟ | Yeh kya hai? |
| Is this vegetarian? | کیا یہ سبزی خور ہے؟ | Kya yeh sabzi Khor hai? |
| Can I have more? | کیا میں مزید لے سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein mazeed le sakta hon? |
| I don’t eat meat | میں گوشت نہیں کھاتا | Mein gosht nahi khata |
| Do you have alcohol? | کیا آپ کے پاس شراب ہے؟ | Kya aap ke paas sharaab hai? |
| Is this homemade? | کیا یہ گھریلو ہے؟ | Kya yeh gharelo hai? |
| What is your traditional food? | آپ کا روایتی کھانا کیا ہے؟ | Aap ka riwayati khana kya hai? |
| One more, please | ایک اور، براہ مہربانی | Aik aur, barah meharbani |
| Can I have… | کیا میں لے سکتا ہوں… | Kya mein le sakta hon … |
| Do you have… | کیا اپ کے پاس ہے… | Kya up ke paas hai … |
| Thank you for the food | کھانے کے لئے آپ کا شکریہ | Khanay ke liye aap ka shukriya |
Shopping Phrases In Urdu
How can we not talk about shopping when traveling is involved? We all love to buy new clothes, jewelry, and snacks when we go on a vacation. Most importantly, we always look for souvenirs to take back home and gift our family and friends. However, to get the best deals and offers, you must know the sentences and words given below. These are some of the most common words used during shopping in Urdu.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| How much is this? | یہ کتنا ہے؟ | Yeh kitne ka hai |
| Can I see more? | کیا میں مزید دیکھ سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein mazeed dekh sakta hon? |
| Do you accept card? | کیا آپ کارڈ قبول کرتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap card qubool karte hain? |
| It is expensive | یہ مہنگا ہے | Yeh mehanga hai |
| Please reduce the price | براہ کرم قیمت کم کریں۔ | Barah karam qeemat kam karen |
| Pack these for me | یہ میرے لیے پیک کرو | Yeh mere liye pack karo |
| Is this made in Pakistan? | کیا یہ پاکستان میں بنتا ہے؟ | Kya yeh Pakistan mein bantaa hai? |
| Can I exchange it? | کیا میں اس کا تبادلہ کر سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein is ka tabadlah kar sakta hon ? |
| Do you have more? | کیا اپ کے پاس مزید ھے؟ | Kya up ke paas mazeed he? |
| I want… | میں چاہتا ہوں… | Mein chahta hon … |
| Show something cheap | کوئی سستی چیز دکھائیں۔ | Koi susti cheez deikhein |
Social Phrases In Urdu
If you want to make friends, you have to develop your social skills first. The table below will take your speaking skills to a next level with common social phrases that will engage you in a great daily conversation with the locals without any language barrier.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| Nice to see you again | آپ کو دوبارہ مل کے خوشی ہوئی | Aap ko dobarah mil ke khushi hui |
| What are you doing? | تم کیا کر رہے ہو؟ | Tum kya kar rahay ho? |
| What are your hobbies? | تمہارے کیا مشاغل ہیں؟ | Tumahray kya mashaghil hain? |
| Where are you going? | آپ کہاں جا رہے ہیں؟ | Aap kahan ja rahay hain? |
| I want to play with you | میں آپکے ساتھ کھیلنا چاہتا ہوں | Mein apke sath khelna chahta hon |
| You dance/ sing well | آپ اچھا ناچتے ہیں / گاتے ہیں۔ | Aap acha naachtay hain / gatay hain |
| Can I join you? | کیا میں آپ کے ساتھ شامل ہو سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein aap ke sath shaamil ho sakta hon? |
| Please sit with us | براہ کرم ہمارے ساتھ بیٹھیں۔ | Barah karam hamaray sath bathain |
| I love your outfit | مجھے آپ کا لباس پسند ہے۔ | Mujhe aap ka libaas pasand hai |
| You are so sweet | آپ بہت اچھے ہیں | Aap bohat achay hain |
| Can I have your number? | کیا میں آپ کا نمبر لے سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein aap ka number le sakta hon ? |
| Excuse me/ Sorry | معاف کیجئے گا/معاف کیجئے گا۔ | Maaf kijiyej ga |
| Do you speak English? | کیا آپ انگلش بول سکتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap english bol satke hain? |
| We should be friends | ہمیں دوست ہونا چاہیے۔ | Hamein dost hona chahiye |
Interrogative Urdu Words And Phrases
Here is a list of common interrogative words that will allow you to ask questions easily at times of need. Being in a new country with a new language environment, you will surely need the following words and phrases.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| What are you saying? | آپ کیا کہہ رہے ہیں؟ | Aap kya keh rahay hain? |
| Why? | کیوں؟ | Kyun? |
| When is that? | وہ کب ہے؟ | Woh kab hai? |
| How far is it? | کتنی دور ہے؟ | Kitni daur hai? |
| Where is your house? | تمہارا گھر کہاں ہے؟ | Tumhara ghar kahan hai? |
| What do you want? | تم کیا چاہتے ہو؟ | Tum kya chahtay ho? |
| What happened? | کیا ہوا؟ | Kya sun-hwa? |
| Why not? | کیوں نہیں؟ | Kyun nahi? |
| Are you sure? | کیا تمہیں یقین ہے؟ | Kya tumhe yaqeen hai? |
| Are you okay? | کیا تم ٹھیک ہو؟ | Kya tum theek ho ? |
Emergency Phrases In Urdu
You never know when emergencies may hit you. So, be prepared with all the common and short emergency phrases given below to seek help immediately in needy hours.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| Help me! | میری مدد کرو! | Meri madad karo! |
| Can I use your phone? | کیا میں آپ کا فون استعمال کر سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein aap ka phone istemaal kar sakta hon? |
| Call the ambulance | ایمبولینس کو کال کریں۔ | Ambulance ko cal karen |
| Call the police | پولیس کو بلاو | Police ko call karen |
| Catch the thief | چور کو پکڑو | Chor ko pakro |
| Someone, please help me | کوئی، براہ کرم میری مدد کریں۔ | Koi, barah karam meri madad karen. |
| Where is the hospital? | ہسپتال کہاں ہے؟ | Hospital kahan hai? |
| Can you please give me a ride? | کیا آپ مجھے ایک سواری دے سکتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap mujhe aik sawari day satke hain? |
| I need some assistance | مجھے کچھ مدد کی ضرورت ہے۔ | Mujhe kuch madad ki zaroorat hai |
Additional Urdu Short Phrases For You
Hold on! We are not finished yet. Here is a list of additional phrases that might come in handy.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| Hold on | رکو | Rukko |
| Congratulations | مبارک ہو | Mubarak ho |
| Goodluck | اللہ کا فضل ہو۔ | Allah ka fazal ho |
| Happy Journey | مبارک سفر | Mubarak safar |
| Let’s go | چلو | Chalo |
| Have fun | مزے کرو | Mazay karo |
| Take care | اپنا خیال رکھنا | Apna khayaal rakhna |
| See you | ملتے ہیں۔ | Mlitay hain |
| What’s up | کیا چل رہا ہے | Kya chal raha hai |
Wrapping Up!
Phew! That was a lot to take in. But once you get familiar with all these easy and short phrases, you will surely improve your vocabulary and fluency. Once done, nothing can stop you from showing off your skills to the locals and making friends in no time. However, if you want to dive deeper into the language and learn more, download the Ling app now!
Ling is one of the most revolutionary language learning apps that provide content in over 60+ languages under different topics like food, business, school, culture, and many more. It hires expert writers and native speakers who write perfect blog posts and record audio recordings so that you can listen and learn.
The best part of the app is the AI chatbot that offers interactive exercises. Such lessons allow you to engage in conversational phrases and improve your communication skills. It also makes retention easy and brings fluency in word selection and speech. So, if you want to learn Urdu or any other new languages, download the app from Play Store or App Store and start learning with Ling right away!
