Did you know that Urdu is one of Pakistan’s two most-spoken languages? While the majority of people talk in Punjabi and Pushto, along with English as one of the country’s official languages, there is still a huge population in Pakistan that uses Urdu. So, if you are traveling to Pakistan soon, you must get in touch with some Urdu travel phrases to have a smooth journey.
In today’s post, we will walk through some basic Urdu vocabulary and essential phrases that will come in handy throughout your journey. Learning some travel phrases like یہ کتنا ہے؟- yeh kitna hai ?, یہ کیا ہے؟- yeh kya hai ? etc., is a must no matter where you are traveling. Even if the country is well equipped with English-speaking persons, knowing the official language is a way of showing respect for their culture and making communication easy.
So, if you want to learn more, continue reading!
Pakistani Travel Tips
Before we improve our poor speaking skills with some basic Urdu phrases, let us first get a quick travel guide to make your trip to Pakistan free of any trouble.
The first thing you need to keep in mind is the cultural sensitivity of the country. There are many ethnic groups with their own beliefs, cultural food, traditions, and distinctions, like Punjabi, Sindhi, Hazara, Baloch, and more. However, all of them have some decent and all-encompassing norms like wearing modest clothes, respecting elders, and having distant interactions between men and women. So, once you land in the country, you must become well aware of the changes in your surroundings.
The next important thing is to carry cash at all times. Pakistan is still trying to catch up with the digital world. People still don’t use online or card payments as such and prefer cash. Especially if you visit roadside cafes or stores, you will have very less chances of getting card-paying subscriptions. So, keep your currency exchanged and research well to get the best rates.
Learn important words in Urdu. Another very essential tip is to learn some essential phrases and words in the Urdu language. While Pakistani people understand and speak English to a good extent, most people still prefer Urdu. So, if you keep some useful phrases intact, you will get a more endearing response from the locals. Moreover, the language learning journey will help you in mastering Urdu if you are a keen language learner.
Research well before you leave. While Pakistan is an adventurous country to explore, you must always be vigilant if you want to be safe. There have been a lot of border activities in the past, and there are chances of happening in the future. So, always read the news, heed warnings, and keep primary valuables inconspicuously.
Urdu Travel Phrases
Let us start with the most comprehensive phrase guide to make your Pakistani trip a success. Here, we will learn many phrases under different categories so that you can figure out your required tab easily and learn them by heart. If you are ready, let’s get started and master Urdu today.
Greetings: Five Most Essential Phrases And More
First, we will learn all the greeting words in the Urdu language. Pakistani people usually greet each other by using the phrase Salaam-vaalaikum- السلام علیکم and the other person replies with Vaalaikum-salaam– وعلیکم السلام. Men shake hands and hug each other, whereas women kiss and hug each other. Be careful to not hug or shake hands with a person of the opposite sex in public.
Below are more greeting phrases to help you communicate with your new friends.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| How are you | آپ کیسے ہو | Aap kaisay ho |
| Good morning/ Good night | صبح بخیر/ شب بخیر | Subah bakhair / shab bakhair |
| What is your name? | آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟ | Aap ka naam kya hai ? |
| My name is… | میرا نام ہے… | Mera naam hai … |
| Where are you from? | آپ کہاں سے ہیں؟ | Aap kahan se hain ? |
| I am from… | میں یہاں سے ہوں… | Mein yahan se hon. . . |
| Nice to meet you | آپ سے مل کر خوشی ہوئی | Aap se mil kar khushi hui |
| See you again | پھر ملیں گے | Phir milein ge |
| Sorry/ excuse me | معذرت/معاف کرنا | Moazrat / maaf karna |
| Thank you | شکریہ | Shukriya |
| You’re welcome | خوش آمدید | Khush aamdeed |
| Thank you for having me | مجھے رکھنے کے لیے آپ کا شکریہ | Mujhe rakhnay ke liye aap ka shukriya |
| Goodbye | خدا حافظ | Kkhuda Hafiz |
Mealtime Phrases In The Official Language
Here you will find all the words you will need to clarify your queries in a restaurant. Travelling to a new country, you will always be wary of what to order and how to order. But with the phrases mentioned below, you will soon start speaking confidently to people and get your required meal without any confusion.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| Restaurant | ریستوراں | Ristoran |
| Do you serve dinner/lunch/breakfast? | کیا آپ رات کا کھانا/ لنچ/ ناشتہ پیش کرتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap raat ka khana / lunch / nashta paish karte hain ? |
| I need a table for two | مجھے دو کے لیے ایک میز چاہیے۔ | Mujhe do ke liye aik maiz chahiye . |
| Can I get the menu? | کیا میں مینو حاصل کر سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein meino haasil kar sakta hon ? |
| I need a bottle of water | مجھے پانی کی بوتل چاہیے۔ | Mujhe pani ki bottle chahiye . |
| Do you serve beef? | کیا آپ گائے کا گوشت پیش کرتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap gaaye ka gosht paish karte hain ? |
| I don’t eat spicy food | میں مسالہ دار کھانا نہیں کھاتا | Mein masala daar khana nahi khata |
| Do you have a vegetarian menu? | کیا آپ کے پاس سبزی خور مینو ہے؟ | Kya aap ke paas sabzi Khor meino hai ? |
| Can I get one more, please? | کیا میں ایک اور لے سکتا ہوں، براہ کرم؟ | Kya mein aik aur le sakta hon, barah karam ? |
| Do you offer extra servings? | کیا آپ اضافی سرونگ پیش کرتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap izafi srong paish karte hain ? |
| What is this? | یہ کیا ہے؟ | Yeh kya hai ? |
| Do you serve alcohol? | کیا آپ شراب پیش کرتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap sharaab paish karte hain ? |
| The bill, please | برائے مہربانی بل لائیے | Baraye meharbani bil layiyae |
| Thank you for the food | کھانے کے لئے آپ کا شکریہ | Khanay ke liye aap ka shukriya |
| The food is delicious | کھانا مزیدار ہے | Khana mazedar hai |
Shopping Phrases In Urdu
How can we not talk about shopping when it comes to vacation trips? We always go with one bag and return with five. Well, that’s a rule of the traveling world. However, to make that happen, you must know some bargaining words and phrases. So, give the table below a good read.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| Shopping | خریداری | Kharidari |
| Market | دکان | Dukaan |
| How much is this? | یہ کتنا ہے؟ | Yeh kitna hai ? |
| Do you have this in my size? | کیا آپ کے پاس یہ میرے سائز میں ہے؟ | Kya aap ke paas yeh mere size mein hai ? |
| It is too expensive | یہ بہت مہنگا ہےیہ بہت مہنگا ہے | Yeh bohat mehanga hai |
| Reduce the price, please | براہ کرم قیمت کم کریں۔ | Barah karam qeemat kam karen . |
| What is the last price? | آخری قیمت کیا ہے؟ | Aakhri qeemat kya hai ? |
| Do you have any discount today? | کیا آج آپ کے پاس کوئی رعایت ہے؟ | Kya aaj aap ke paas koi riayat hai ? |
| Can I see a different colour? | کیا میں ایک مختلف رنگ دیکھ سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein aik mukhtalif rang dekh sakta hon ? |
| Do you accept credit cards? | کیا آپ کریڈٹ کارڈ قبول کرتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap crdt card qubool karte hain ? |
| Pack these, please | یہ پیک کریں، براہ مہربانی | Yeh pack karen, barah meharbani |
| I want something cheap | مجھے کوئی سستی چیز چاہیے۔ | Mujhe koi susti cheez chahiye . |
Transportation In Urdu
Let us now come to some transportation phrases. If you are planning to take the public transportation system in Pakistan, you will need this. You cannot be simply relying on google maps. Sometimes, only the locals can be your guide.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| Transportation | نقل و حمل | Naqal o hamal |
| Can I get a ticket for…? | کیا مجھے ٹکٹ مل سکتا ہے…؟ | Kya mujhe ticket mil sakta hai. .. ? |
| How much is the ticket for? | ٹکٹ کتنے کا ہے؟ | Ticket kitney ka hai ? |
| Where is the ticket window? | ٹکٹ کی کھڑکی کہاں ہے؟ | Ticket ki khirki kahan hai ? |
| Is the bus/train delayed? | کیا بس/ٹرین تاخیر کا شکار ہے؟ | Kya bas / train takheer ka shikaar hai ? |
| Where is the bus/train station? | بس/ٹرین اسٹیشن کہاں ہے؟ | Bas / train station kahan hai ? |
| I want to book a return ticket | میں واپسی کا ٹکٹ بک کرنا چاہتا ہوں۔ | Mein wapsi ka ticket buk karna chahta hon . |
| Can I book a ticket for two? | کیا میں دو کے لیے ٹکٹ بک کر سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein do ke liye ticket buk kar sakta hon ? |
| Is the bus/train on time? | کیا بس/ٹرین وقت پر ہے؟ | Kya bas / train waqt par hai ? |
| I want to go to… | میں جانا چاہتا ہوں… | Mein jana chahta hon. . . |
Directions Urdu Phrases
You will always get lost in a new place. So, to save yourself from being lost forever, learn the phrases given below and easily communicate with the locals.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| Direction | سمت | Simt |
| North/ South | شمال/جنوبی | Shumal / janoobi |
| East/ West | مشرق /مغرب | Mashriq/ maghrib |
| Turn left/ Turn right | بائیں مڑیں / دائیں مڑیں۔ | Baen مڑیں / dayen مڑیں . |
| Where is this road? | یہ سڑک کہاں ہے؟ | Yeh sarrak kahan hai ? |
| Which side is this? | یہ کس طرف ہے؟ | Yeh kis taraf hai ? |
| Is this place too far away? | کیا یہ جگہ بہت دور ہے؟ | Kya yeh jagah bohat daur hai ? |
| Is this place close? | کیا یہ جگہ قریب ہے؟ | Kya yeh jagah qareeb hai ? |
Emergency Basic Urdu Vocabulary
Lastly, it is very important to be ready for emergencies. No matter where you travel, emergencies have their way of surprising you. However, it is not impossible to face them. To keep you safe even in urgent times, the table below has all the travel words ready for you.
| English | Urdu | Pronunciation |
| Call the police | پولیس سے رابطہ کریں | Police se rabita karen |
| I need a doctor | مجھے ڈاکٹر کی ضرورت ہے | Mujhe dr ki zaroorat hai |
| Where is the hospital? | ہسپتال کہاں ہے؟ | Hospital kahan hai ? |
| Do you know a mechanic? | کیا آپ کسی مکینک کو جانتے ہیں؟ | Kya aap kisi mkink ko jantay hain ? |
| Can I use your phone? | کیا میں آپ کا فون استعمال کر سکتا ہوں؟ | Kya mein aap ka phone istemaal kar sakta hon ? |
| Somebody help me, please | کوئی میری مدد کرے، پلیز | Koi meri madad kere |
| Catch the thief | چور کو پکڑو | Chor ko pakro |
Over To You!
Well, that was a lot of phrases to remember. But once you get used to these, nothing can stop you from becoming a pro-Urdu speaker. Learning these will not only bring you close to the locals but also help you understand the Urdu language deeper.
Talking about the language, if you want to learn more and continue exploring the Urdu world, download the Ling app today.
Ling is a revolutionary language learning application that covers 60+ foreign languages and curates many other blog posts on topics such as food, business, weather, culture, and more. It hires expert writers and native speakers for that and ensures you learn your specific language with precision.
Moreover, the web platform or the app has an AI chatbot that allows you to learn anytime through conversational lessons. Doing so helps you improve your communication skills and makes retention easy. So, if you want to connect to the world from a different perspective of language courses and enjoy an exciting experience, go to the App Store or Play Store, download Ling, and start learning Urdu today!
