Although it is not good to learn swear words, most Urdu swear words hold a significant place within the cultural and linguistic landscape. Pakistanis use swear words to express several emotions, from anger and distress to humor and fun. Like pagal (پاگل), gadhey (گدھے), paindu (پینڈو), etc.
Yes, it is ironic, but Pakistanis use swear words mostly as fun or out of love at times rather than abuse or insults. Some are so bad that discussing them here wouldn’t be appropriate. Yet, there are some swear words that have more likely become slang and are also fun to learn. Considering how normal swear words in Urdu have become, learning a few can surely aid in understanding these terms if someone says any to you.
Let’s explore the most common and mild Urdu swear words or insults to add new vocabulary to the dictionary!
Table Of Contents
10 Common Urdu Swear Words With Their Meaning And Usage
1. Flamboyant – Chapri (چپڑی)
It is a derogatory term used for people with a weird sense of fashion and appearance. Chapri people generally have colored hair and a somewhat flashy or flamboyant attitude and appearance. Other words for chapri in native terminology are maila (میلا) or shapatar (شپاٹر).
How to Use: اُس چپڑی کو دیکھو کیسے بائک بھگاتے ہوئے جارہا ہے۔
Roman: Us chapri ko dekho kese bike bhagate huye jaraha hai.
English Translation: Look how fast that flashy person is riding his motorcycle.
2. Donkey – Gadhey – گدھے
It is an insulting word for stupid or dumb person. However, in Pakistan, people randomly call their friends and children gadhey (گدھے), so it doesn’t feel that offensive. What do you think? Isn’t it funny rather than offensive?
How to Use: تم بلکل گدھے ہو
Roman: Tum Bilkul Gadhey ho.
English Translation: You are stupid.
3. Son Of An Owl – Ullu Ka Patha – اُلو کا پٹھا
This derogatory term refers to a foolish, duffer, or idiotic individual. Nonetheless, have you seen a baby owl? How beautiful it is, right? Considering, isn’t it funny to curse someone by saying this word that, in literal terms, refers to such beauty? Never mind, people don’t make sense at times.
How to use: اُلو کے پٹھے، یہ کیا کر رہے ہو؟
Roman: Ullu ke pathe, yeh kia kar rahe ho?
English Translation: You idiot, what are you doing?
4. Get Lost – Dafah Hojao – دفعہ ہوجاؤ
Dafa hojao (دفعہ ہوجاؤ) is an offensive word that means go away or get lost. People usually say this to a person disturbing them to an unbearable extent.
How to use: دفعہ ہو جاؤ، مجھے تنگ نہیں کرو۔
Roman: Dafah hojao, mujhe tang nahi karo.
English Translation: Don’t Disturb me, go away!
5. Shut Up – Apni Bakwas Band Karo – اپنی بکواس بند کرو
It is another curse word used when someone is continuously and aimlessly talking. We generally say this to someone when we are angry and don’t want to hear them anymore.
How to use: اپنی بکواس بند کرو اور مجھے اپنا کام کرنے دو۔
Roman: Apni bakwas band karo or mjhe apna kaam karne do.
English Translation: Shut up and let me do my work.
6. Black – Kalu – کَلو
It is a curse word referring to people with black complexion. However, it is funny to note that people also use it as a nickname for their loved ones.
How to use: اِدھر آؤ، کَلو۔
Roman: Idhar ao, kalu.
English Translation: Come here, blackie.
7. Villager – Paindu – پینڈو
Another most common Urdu swear word is Paindu. It refers to a person who lives in a village, more likely a village bumpkin. Pakistani people find it extremely insulting when anyone calls them Paindu. It is because they use this term to call people inferior or lower to them.
How to use: پینڈئوں کی طرح نہیں کھاؤ۔
Roman: Painduon ki tarah nahi khao.
English Translation: Don’t eat like villagers.
8. Spoon – Chamcha – چمچہ
This swear word describes a person who is a sycophant or, to say, a yes-man. Such people always loiter around a person from whom they have any need.
How to use: وہ چمچہ ہر میٹینگ میں اپنے بوس کی تعریفوں کے پُل باندھتا ہے تاکہ بونس مل سکے ۔
Roman: Wo chamcha har meeting main apne boss ki tareefon ke pul bandhta hai takay bonus mil sake.
English Translation: That sycophant heaps praises on the boss in every meeting, hoping to get the bonus.
9. Dumb – Screw Dheela Hai – سِکرو ڈھیلا ہے
Pakistanis commonly say this to a dumb person. In severe connotation, it also denotes a person who has lost his mind or is acting like one, more or less a dumb person.
How to use: یہ کیا بول رہے ہو ,سکرو ڈھیلے ہوگائے ہیں کیا؟
Roman: Yeh kia bol rahe ho, screw dheela hogaya hai kia?
English Translation: What are you saying, have you lost your mind? / What are you saying, are you in your senses? / What are you saying, have you gone dumb?
10. Crazy – Pagal – پاگل
To call someone mad or lunatic, Pakistanis say pagal (پاگل). Yet, the funny thing is, this word, like gadhey (گدھے), is on everyone’s tongue so frankly that they use it out of nowhere. Like you see your brother, slap him for fun, and call him gadhey (پاگل), without him doing anything.
How to use: پاگل ہو کیا۔
Roman: Pagal ho kia?
English Translation: Are you crazy?
How Do You Say Swear Word In Urdu?
The Urdu word for swear is gali (گالی) or nashaista zaban (ناشائستہ زبان). These terms denote those informal expressions that native Pakistanis generally use when they are angry or have to show distress.
Other Urdu Words For ‘Swear’
The following are all the Urdu words for the word ‘swear.’ You can learn these to add more Urdu vocabulary to your dictionary and advance your Urdu language skills.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| To insult or cuss | کوسنا | Kos-na |
| To curse someone | لانت بھیجنا | La-nat bhej-na |
| To criticize or find fault | حرف گیری کرنا | Harf gee-ri kar-na |
| To speak abusively or bad language | بد زبانی کرنا | Bad za-bani kar-na |
| To speak ill of someone | برا بھلا کہنا | Bu-ra bha-la keh-na |
| To use vulgar or offensive language | گندے الفاظ استعمال کرنا | Gan-day Al-faz Is-te-mal Kar-na |
Frequently Asked Questions About Urdu Swear Words
How Many Urdu Swear Words Are There?
There are several Urdu Swear words. Yet, as Urdu is an amalgamation of languages: Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Punjabi, and other South Asian languages, this blend has also greatly influenced the spoken and informal expressions of the Urdu language. That’s why you can find some swear words similar to other languages or vocabulary of different languages in Urdu.
What Is The Meaning Of Cuss In Urdu?
Cuss is another word for curse or swear, which means کوسنا or بد دعا دینا. In Roman, these swear words read as kosna (to insult) and bad dua dena (to curse), respectively.
Is There Any Polite Alternative To Urdu Swear Words To Express Anger?
Yes, there are many non-offensive words that can be used in place of swear words in Urdu. For instance, you can say mjhe gussa araha hai (مجھے غصہ آرہا ہے – I am angry) or yeh kia kar rahe ho (یہ کیا کر رہے ہو – what are you doing?), and so on.
Want to Learn More? Urdu Has More To Offer Than Swear Words!
If you have been to South Asia, you must have already heard at least one of the curse words from this list. Nevertheless, there are many swear words in Urdu besides these. These are the few most common curse words popular in almost every South Asian street and even households. It won’t be wrong to say most Urdu swear words are more like informal expressions than cursing. Pakistanis use swear words more commonly than words of love, ironically. So, learn these swear words in Urdu to familiarize yourself with the terms and add more vocabulary to your Urdu dictionary.
However, learning the Urdu language shouldn’t end here. Learning more vocabulary to enhance your Urdu language skills is equally important. Don’t worry, though. The Ling app can be helpful. It is here to make your learning easy and fun. So, kick off the hassle and start learning in the comfort of your home. The Ling app is ready to transform your language learning experience through its range of interactive lessons and quizzes.
