Learning Urdu: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Urdu course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Urdu is like
Urdu is written right-to-left in the Perso-Arabic script, but you don't need the alphabet to start speaking. Word order is flexible but usually subject–object–verb: مجھے پانی چاہیے reads literally "to-me water is-needed". The question word کیا (kya) turns a statement into a yes/no question. Genders and plurals exist, but as a beginner you can rely on word order and context and still be understood.
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Urdu is written right-to-left in the Perso-Arabic script. A few letters use sounds English doesn't have — learn them and you'll pronounce any word like a local.
- خ — a deep "kh" from the back of the throat, like clearing it, as in خوبصورت = khoobsurat (beautiful).
- غ — a throaty "gh", like a guttural gargled r, as in غزل = ghazal.
- ق — a deep "q" from the back of the mouth — not an English "k", as in قلم = qalam (pen).
- ع — a guttural catch from the throat, like a gentle "a", as in عید = Eid.
- ہ — a soft breathy "h", lighter than English h, as in ہاں = haan (yes).
- ں — a nasal "n" that hums (nūn ghunna), as in ہوں = hoon (I am).
- ٹ — a hard "t" from the roof of the mouth (retroflex), as in ٹوپی = topi (cap).
- ش — the "sh" sound, as in English "she", as in شکریہ = shukriya (thanks).
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Urdu | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| السلام علیکم | as-salaam alaikum | Hello |
| صبح بخیر | subh bakhair | Good morning |
| شام بخیر | shaam bakhair | Good evening |
| آپ کیسے ہیں؟ | aap kaise hain? | How are you? |
| شکریہ | shukriya | Thank you |
| بہت شکریہ | bahut shukriya | Thank you very much |
| براہِ مہربانی | baraah meherbaani | Please |
| معاف کیجیے | maaf kijiye | Excuse me / sorry |
| جی ہاں | jee haan | Yes |
| جی نہیں | jee nahin | No |
| ایک | ek | 1 |
| دو | do | 2 |
| تین | teen | 3 |
| چار | chaar | 4 |
| پانچ | paanch | 5 |
| دس | das | 10 |
| پانی | paani | water |
| روٹی | roti | bread |
| چائے | chai | tea |
| کھانا | khaana | food |
| بل | bill | the bill |
| کہاں ہے؟ | kahan hai? | Where is...? |
| دائیں | daain | to the right |
| بائیں | baain | to the left |
| سیدھا | seedha | straight ahead |
| ریلوے اسٹیشن | RAIL-way uh-STAY-shan | the station |
| یہ کتنا ہے؟ | yeh kitna hai? | how much is it? |
| بہت مہنگا ہے | bahut mehnga hai | it's too expensive |
| مدد! | madad! | Help! |
| مجھے ڈاکٹر چاہیے | mujhe daaktar chahiye | I need a doctor |
How the Urdu course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings & being polite — السلام علیکم · آداب · آپ کیسے ہیں؟
- Polite phrases — شکریہ · براہِ مہربانی · معاف کیجیے · جی ہاں
- Numbers 1–10 — ایک · دو · تین · دس
- I want" — مجھے چاہیے — مجھے … چاہیے · چائے · پانی
- Food & drink — پانی · روٹی · چائے · مینیو
- Getting around — کہاں ہے؟ · دائیں · بائیں · سیدھا
- Questions & "do you have…?" — کیا آپ کے پاس… ہے؟ · کیا
- Family & people — خاندان · ماں · باپ · دوست
- Time, days & weather — آج · کل · موسم کیسا ہے؟
- Small talk & names — میرا نام… ہے · آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟
- Health & emergency — مدد · ڈاکٹر · دواخانہ
- Tying it together — السلام علیکم · مجھے چاہیے · کہاں ہے؟
- Airport & tickets — ہوائی اڈا · پاسپورٹ · ٹکٹ · پرواز
- The taxi — ٹیکسی · جانا · ہوٹل · رکیں
- The hotel — ریزرویشن · کمرہ · چابی · رات
- Ask for help — سمجھ نہیں آیا · آہستہ · انگریزی
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings & being polite
Key pieces: السلام علیکم · آداب · آپ کیسے ہیں؟
Urdu's first words: السلام علیکم — hello, literally "peace be upon you". Say it loud.
- السلام علیکم (as-salaam alaikum) — hello / peace be upon you
- وعلیکم السلام (wa alaikum as-salaam) — the reply
- سلام (salaam) — hi / hello Memory hook: ≈ Arabic salaam (peace).
- آداب (aadaab) — a respectful greeting
- صبح بخیر (subh bakhair) — good morning
To say “Hello, peace be upon you” in Urdu: السلام علیکم (as-salaam alaikum). Built from as-salaam = the peace; alaikum = upon you.
To ask how someone is: آپ کیسے ہیں؟ — how are you?
- آپ کیسے ہیں؟ (aap kaise hain?) — How are you?
- میں ٹھیک ہوں (main theek hoon) — I'm fine
- شکریہ (shukriya) — thank you Memory hook: ≈ Arabic shukran (thanks).
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Urdu: السلام علیکم، آپ کیسے ہیں؟ (as-salaam alaikum, aap kaise hain?). Built from as-salaam = hello; aap kaise hain? = how are you?.
Polite phrases
Key pieces: شکریہ · براہِ مہربانی · معاف کیجیے · جی ہاں
The magic word for anything polite: شکریہ — thank you.
- شکریہ (shukriya) — thank you
- بہت شکریہ (bahut shukriya) — thank you very much
- براہِ مہربانی (baraah meherbaani) — please
- معاف کیجیے (maaf kijiye) — excuse me / sorry
- جی ہاں (jee haan) — yes (polite)
- جی نہیں (jee nahin) — no (polite)
To say “Thank you very much” in Urdu: بہت شکریہ (bahut shukriya). Built from bahut = very; shukriya = thanks.
براہِ مہربانی = please. Add it to any request to sound warm and polite.
To say “A water, please” in Urdu: پانی، براہِ مہربانی (paani, baraah meherbaani). Built from paani = water; baraah meherbaani = please.
To say “Sorry, excuse me” in Urdu: معاف کیجیے (maaf kijiye). Built from maaf = forgiveness; kijiye = please (do).
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: ایک · دو · تین · دس
Numbers are the fastest win. Listen and repeat: ایک، دو، تین .
- ایک (ek) — 1
- دو (do) — 2
- تین (teen) — 3
- چار (chaar) — 4
- پانچ (paanch) — 5
- چھ (chheh) — 6
- سات (saat) — 7
- آٹھ (aatth) — 8
- نو (nau) — 9
- دس (das) — 10
To say “Two waters, please” in Urdu: دو پانی، براہِ مہربانی (do paani, baraah meherbaani). Built from do = two; paani = water.
یہ کتنا ہے؟ = how much does it cost? The key phrase for shopping.
To say “How much is it?” in Urdu: یہ کتنا ہے؟ (yeh kitna hai?). Built from yeh = this; kitna = how much; hai = is.
To say “It's five rupees” in Urdu: پانچ روپے (paanch rupay). Built from paanch = five; rupay = rupees.
I want" — مجھے چاہیے
Key pieces: مجھے … چاہیے · چائے · پانی
The magic phrase to ask for anything: مجھے … چاہیے — I want … / I need ….
- مجھے چاہیے (mujhe chahiye) — I want...
- پانی (paani) — water
- چائے (chai) — tea Memory hook: ≈ English chai (tea).
- کھانا (khaana) — food
- کافی (KAA-fee) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
To say “I want water” in Urdu: مجھے پانی چاہیے (mujhe paani chahiye). Built from mujhe = I / to me; paani = water; chahiye = want / need.
To say “I want food” in Urdu: مجھے کھانا چاہیے (mujhe khaana chahiye). Built from mujhe = I; khaana = food; chahiye = want.
Make it polite by adding براہِ مہربانی (please) at the end.
To say “I want tea, please” in Urdu: مجھے چائے چاہیے، براہِ مہربانی (mujhe chai chahiye, baraah meherbaani). Built from mujhe = I; chai = tea; chahiye = want; baraah meherbaani = please.
Food & drink
Key pieces: پانی · روٹی · چائے · مینیو
Eating out? Key words: پانی (water), روٹی (bread), چائے (tea).
- پانی (paani) — water
- روٹی (roti) — bread
- چائے (chai) — tea
- مینیو (MEN-yoo) — the menu Memory hook: ≈ English menu.
- بل (bil) — the bill Memory hook: ≈ English bill.
To say “Water and bread, please” in Urdu: پانی اور روٹی، براہِ مہربانی (paani aur roti, baraah meherbaani). Built from paani = water; aur = and; roti = bread.
To say “I'd like the menu” in Urdu: مجھے مینیو چاہیے (mujhe MEN-yoo chahiye). Built from مجھے = I; مینیو = the menu; چاہیے = want.
بہت مزیدار = delicious. Say it and you'll make the cook's day.
To say “It's delicious!” in Urdu: بہت مزیدار! (bahut mazeedaar!). Built from bahut = very; mazeedaar = delicious.
Getting around
Key pieces: کہاں ہے؟ · دائیں · بائیں · سیدھا
The most useful question in any city: … کہاں ہے؟ — where is…?
- کہاں ہے؟ (kahan hai?) — Where is...?
- دائیں (daain) — to the right
- بائیں (baain) — to the left
- سیدھا (seedha) — straight ahead
- ریلوے اسٹیشن (RAIL-way uh-STAY-shan) — the station
- بیت الخلا (baital-khala) — the bathroom
To say “Where is the station?” in Urdu: ریلوے اسٹیشن کہاں ہے؟ (RAIL-way uh-STAY-shan ka-HAAN hai?). Built from ریلوے اسٹیشن = the station; kahan = where; hai = is.
To say “Where is the bathroom?” in Urdu: بیت الخلا کہاں ہے؟ (baital-khala kahan hai?). Built from baital-khala = the bathroom; kahan = where.
دائیں is right, بائیں is left, سیدھا is straight ahead.
To say “Go straight ahead” in Urdu: سیدھا جائیے (seedha jaaiye). Built from seedha = straight; jaaiye = go (polite).
Questions & "do you have…?"
Key pieces: کیا آپ کے پاس… ہے؟ · کیا
To ask if someone has something: کیا آپ کے پاس… ہے؟ — do you have…?
To say “Do you have water?” in Urdu: کیا آپ کے پاس پانی ہے؟ (kya aap ke paas paani hai?). Built from kya = question word; aap ke paas = do you have; paani = water; hai = is.
کیا at the start turns any statement into a yes/no question.
To say “Is there wifi?” in Urdu: کیا وائی فائی ہے؟ (kya wifi hai?). Built from kya = question word; wifi = wifi; hai = is. wifi = English loanword.
کیا میں… کر سکتا ہوں؟ = may I…? For polite requests.
To say “May I pay?” in Urdu: کیا میں بل ادا کر سکتا ہوں؟ (kya main bill ada kar sakta hoon?). Built from kya = question word; main = I; bill = bill; ada kar sakta hoon = can I pay.
Family & people
Key pieces: خاندان · ماں · باپ · دوست
Family words: خاندان (family), ماں (mother), باپ (father).
- خاندان (khaandaan) — family
- ماں (maa) — mother
- باپ (baap) — father
- بھائی (bhai) — brother
- بہن (behen) — sister
- دوست (dost) — friend Memory hook: ≈ Persian/Hindi dost (friend).
To say “I have a friend” in Urdu: میرا ایک دوست ہے (mera ek dost hai). Built from mera = my; ek = a / one; dost = friend; hai = is.
میرے پاس = I have, literally "with me". It's the key way to say what you've got.
To say “I have a family” in Urdu: میرے پاس ایک خاندان ہے (mere paas ek khaandaan hai). Built from mere paas = I have (with me); ek = a; khaandaan = family; hai = is.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: آج · کل · موسم کیسا ہے؟
Today is آج , tomorrow is کل .
- آج (aaj) — today
- کل (kal) — tomorrow / yesterday
- موسم کیسا ہے؟ (mausam kaisa hai?) — what's the weather?
- بارش (baarish) — rain
- گرم (garm) — hot
- اتوار (itwar) — Sunday
To say “See you tomorrow” in Urdu: کل ملتے ہیں (kal milte hain). Built from kal = tomorrow; milte hain = we'll meet.
Ask about the weather: موسم کیسا ہے؟
To say “It's raining” in Urdu: بارش ہو رہی ہے (baarish ho rahi hai). Built from baarish = rain; ho rahi hai = is happening.
To say “Today is Sunday” in Urdu: آج اتوار ہے (aaj itwar hai). Built from aaj = today; itwar = Sunday; hai = is.
Small talk & names
Key pieces: میرا نام… ہے · آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟
Introduce yourself: میرا نام… ہے = my name is…, and مل کر خوشی ہوئی = pleased to meet you.
To say “My name is Alex” in Urdu: میرا نام Alex ہے (mera naam Alex hai). Built from میرا = my; نام = name; Alex = your name; ہے = is.
To ask someone's name: آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟
To say “What's your name?” in Urdu: آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟ (aap ka naam kya hai?). Built from aap ka = your; naam = name; kya = what; hai = is.
And where are you from? آپ کہاں سے ہیں؟ Reply with میں _____ سے ہوں .
To say “Pleased to meet you” in Urdu: مل کر خوشی ہوئی (mil kar khushi hui). Built from mil kar = meeting; khushi hui = joy happened.
Health & emergency
Key pieces: مدد · ڈاکٹر · دواخانہ
The most important words if you need help: مدد (help), ڈاکٹر (doctor), دواخانہ (pharmacy).
- مدد! (madad!) — help! Memory hook: ≈ Arabic madad (help).
- ڈاکٹر (daaktar) — the doctor Memory hook: ≈ English doctor.
- دواخانہ (dawakhana) — the pharmacy
- مجھے سمجھ نہیں آیا (mujhe samajh nahin aaya) — I don't understand
- بیمار (beemaar) — sick / ill
- درد (dard) — pain
To say “Help!” in Urdu: مدد! (madad!). Built from madad = help.
To say “I don't understand” in Urdu: مجھے سمجھ نہیں آیا (mujhe samajh nahin aaya). Built from mujhe = to me; samajh = understanding; nahin = not; aaya = came.
To say you need medical help: مجھے ڈاکٹر چاہیے — I need a doctor.
To say “I need a doctor” in Urdu: مجھے ڈاکٹر چاہیے (mujhe daaktar chahiye). Built from mujhe = I; daaktar = doctor; chahiye = need / want.
Tying it together
Key pieces: السلام علیکم · مجھے چاہیے · کہاں ہے؟
Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing.
To say “Hello, how are you?” in Urdu: السلام علیکم، آپ کیسے ہیں؟ (as-salaam alaikum, aap kaise hain?). Built from as-salaam = hello; aap kaise hain? = how are you?.
To say “I want water, please” in Urdu: مجھے پانی چاہیے، براہِ مہربانی (mujhe paani chahiye, baraah meherbaani). Built from mujhe = I; paani = water; chahiye = want; baraah meherbaani = please.
To say “Where is the station?” in Urdu: ریلوے اسٹیشن کہاں ہے؟ (RAIL-way uh-STAY-shan ka-HAAN hai?). Built from ریلوے اسٹیشن = the station; kahan = where; hai = is.
To say “How much is it?” in Urdu: یہ کتنا ہے؟ (yeh kitna hai?). Built from yeh = this; kitna = how much; hai = is.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: ہوائی اڈا · پاسپورٹ · ٹکٹ · پرواز
You have landed. The building is the ہوائی اڈا . Your document is a پاسپورٹ .
- ہوائی اڈا (ha-WAA-ee uh-DAA) — the airport
- پاسپورٹ (PAAS-port) — the passport
- ٹکٹ (ti-KAT) — the ticket
- پرواز (par-WAAZ) — the flight
- گیٹ (gayt) — the gate
To say “Where is the airport?” in Urdu: ہوائی اڈا کہاں ہے؟ (ha-WAA-ee uh-DAA ka-HAAN hai). Built from ہوائی اڈا = the airport; کہاں ہے؟ = where is it?.
To say “Here is my passport” in Urdu: یہ میرا پاسپورٹ ہے (yeh MAY-raa PAAS-port hai). Built from یہ = this is; میرا پاسپورٹ = my passport.
To say “A ticket, please” in Urdu: ایک ٹکٹ، براہ کرم (aik ti-KAT, ba-RAAH ka-ram). Built from ایک ٹکٹ = a ticket; براہ کرم = please.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Urdu: گیٹ کہاں ہے؟ (gayt ka-HAAN hai). Built from گیٹ = the gate; کہاں ہے؟ = where is it?.
The taxi
Key pieces: ٹیکسی · جانا · ہوٹل · رکیں
The driver is waiting. ٹیکسی is the word you need. Tell them where to go with میں جانا چاہتا ہوں .
- ٹیکسی (TAIK-see) — the taxi
- ڈرائیور (drai-var) — the driver
- میں جانا چاہتا ہوں (main JAA-naa CHAH-taa hoon) — I want to go
- یہاں رکیں (ya-HAAN ru-KAIN) — stop here
To say “Taxi, please” in Urdu: ٹیکسی، براہ کرم (TAIK-see, ba-RAAH ka-ram). Built from ٹیکسی = taxi; براہ کرم = please.
To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Urdu: میں ہوٹل جانا چاہتا ہوں (main ho-TAL JAA-naa CHAH-taa hoon). Built from میں = I; ہوٹل = hotel; جانا چاہتا ہوں = want to go.
To say “Stop here, please” in Urdu: یہاں رکیں، براہ کرم (ya-HAAN ru-KAIN, ba-RAAH ka-ram). Built from یہاں رکیں = stop here; براہ کرم = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Urdu: کتنے کا ہے؟ (KI-tnay kaa hai). Built from کتنے کا = how much; ہے؟ = is it?.
The hotel
Key pieces: ریزرویشن · کمرہ · چابی · رات
At the desk: میری ریزرویشن ہے — I have a reservation.
- ہوٹل (ho-TAL) — the hotel
- ریزرویشن (ray-zar-VAY-shan) — the reservation
- کمرہ (KAM-rah) — the room
- چابی (CHAA-bee) — the key
- ایک رات (aik raat) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Urdu: میری ریزرویشن ہے (MAY-ree ray-zar-VAY-shan hai). Built from میری = my; ریزرویشن ہے = there is a reservation.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Urdu: ایک رات کا کمرہ، براہ کرم (aik raat kaa KAM-rah, ba-RAAH ka-ram). Built from ایک رات کا = for one night; کمرہ = a room; براہ کرم = please.
To say “The key, please” in Urdu: چابی، براہ کرم (CHAA-bee, ba-RAAH ka-ram). Built from چابی = the key; براہ کرم = please.
To say “Where is my room?” in Urdu: میرا کمرہ کہاں ہے؟ (MAY-raa KAM-rah ka-HAAN hai). Built from میرا کمرہ = my room; کہاں ہے؟ = where is it?.
Ask for help
Key pieces: سمجھ نہیں آیا · آہستہ · انگریزی
When the language is too fast: آہستہ، براہ کرم — slower, please.
- آہستہ (AA-his-tah) — slower
- دوبارہ (doo-BAA-rah) — again
- انگریزی (an-grai-ZEE) — English
- کیا آپ مدد کر سکتے ہیں؟ (kya aap ma-DAD kar SAK-tay hain) — can you help?
To say “I don't understand” in Urdu: مجھے سمجھ نہیں آیا (mu-JHAY sa-MAJH na-HEEN aa-yaa). Built from مجھے = to me; سمجھ نہیں آیا = it is not understood.
To say “Slower, please” in Urdu: آہستہ، براہ کرم (AA-his-tah, ba-RAAH ka-ram). Built from آہستہ = slower; براہ کرم = please.
To say “Can you help me?” in Urdu: کیا آپ مدد کر سکتے ہیں؟ (kya aap ma-DAD kar SAK-tay hain). Built from کیا آپ = can you; مدد کر سکتے ہیں؟ = help?.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Urdu: کیا آپ انگریزی بولتے ہیں؟ (kya aap an-grai-ZEE BOL-tay hain). Built from کیا آپ = do you; انگریزی = English; بولتے ہیں؟ = speak?.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- جی ہاں (jee haan): polite.
- جی نہیں (jee nahin): polite.
Culture and etiquette
Salaam is sacred
السلام علیکم (as-salaam alaikum) means "peace be upon you" and is used everywhere — the reply وعلیکم السلام matters just as much. A warm salaam opens every door.
Biryani is an event
A plate of biryani is a celebration, not just a meal. From the sizzling kebab streets of Lahore to home kitchens, food is shared generously — nobody eats alone.
Chai for every reason
Urdu speakers treat tea as a ritual. Offering a scalding cup of doodh patti chai is the warmest sign of welcome, and accepting it is the polite thing to do.
The poetry of ghazals
Urdu is a language of poetry. The ghazals of Mir, Ghalib and Faiz are still sung and recited today. A perfect couplet can quiet a whole room.
Guests are a blessing
Hospitality (mehmaan-nawazi) is a point of honour. Even a casual visitor is offered tea and food, and refusing too quickly can seem rude.
Bazaar bargaining
In markets a quoted price is often a starting point. A friendly "بہت مہنگا ہے" (too expensive) and a smile opens the negotiation — it's all good-natured.
Example dialogues
At a café
You: السلام علیکم! ایک کافی، براہِ مہربانی۔ (as-salaam alaikum! ek KAA-fee, baraah meherbaani.) — Hello! A coffee, please.
Waiter: فوراً۔ یہاں کھائیں گے یا ساتھ لے جائیں گے؟ (fauran. yahan khaain ge ya saath le jaayen ge?) — Right away. Eat here or take it away?
You: ساتھ لے جاؤں گا، شکریہ۔ (saath le jaoon ga, shukriya.) — To go, thanks.
Waiter: یہ لیجیے۔ دو سو روپے ہوئے۔ (yeh leejiye. do sau rupay hue.) — Here. That's two hundred rupees.
You: بہت شکریہ! (bahut shukriya!) — Thanks a lot!
At the train station
You: معاف کیجیے، ریلوے اسٹیشن کہاں ہے؟ (maaf kijiye, RAIL-way uh-STAY-shan ka-HAAN hai?) — Excuse me, where's the station?
Local: وہیں ہے، دائیں طرف۔ (wahin hai, daain taraf.) — It's there, on the right.
You: شکریہ۔ لاہور کا ایک ٹکٹ، براہِ مہربانی۔ (shukriya. lahore ka ek ticket, baraah meherbaani.) — Thanks. A ticket to Lahore, please.
Ticket: پانچ سو روپے۔ ٹرین نو بجے نکلے گی۔ (paanch sau rupay. train nau baje nikle gi.) — Five hundred rupees. The train leaves at nine.
At a restaurant
Waiter: شام بخیر! کیا آپ نے میز بک کروائی ہے؟ (shaam bakhair! kya aap ne mez book karwaai hai?) — Good evening! Do you have a reservation?
You: جی ہاں، دو لوگوں کے لیے۔ (jee haan, do logon ke liye.) — Yes, for two people.
You: مینیو، براہِ مہربانی۔ (menu, baraah meherbaani.) — The menu, please.
You: مجھے بریانی اور ایک چائے چاہیے۔ (mujhe biryani aur ek chai chahiye.) — I'd like the biryani and a tea.
Waiter: بہت اچھا انتخاب! کھانے کا مزہ لیجیے۔ (bahut acha intikhab! khaane ka maza leejiye.) — Excellent choice! Enjoy your meal.
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.