Is Islamabad your next summer holiday destination? Endowed with natural beauty and embellished with well-thought-out and perfectly executed infrastructure, Islamabad remains one of the best tourist attractions in Pakistan. In addition, the city’s cultural diversity marks it with a cosmopolitan hue and makes it the ultimate heaven for tourists.

The city was built in 1960 to become the capital of Pakistan. Despite its youth, the city has its historic value, a few glimpses of which will be provided in this Islamabad travel guide from UrduPod101.com.

Before you travel to Islamabad, it’s crucial that you know the best and most beautiful attractions in this lively city. To give you a hand, we’ll not only outline the top ten places to visit in Islamabad, but also provide you with useful information on the city and a list of Urdu survival phrases.   

Table of Contents

1. Considerations Before You Go
2. 10 Must-Visit Places in Islamabad
3. Even More Places to Visit for an Extended Stay
4. Urdu Survival Phrases for Travelers
5. Conclusion

Considerations Before You Go

We’ll start with a question that many potential tourists ask themselves: “Is it safe to visit Islamabad?” The answer to this question is a very simple “yes.” Islamabad has a steady system of law and order, and the crime rate here is very low compared to that of other global metropolitans.

Why Visit Islamabad?

Islamabad is the federal capital of Pakistan, situated in the Pothohar Plateau 14 kilometers northeast of Rawalpindi. With a population of just over 1.1 million, it’s considered the ninth-largest Pakistani city. It’s famous for its high living and maintenance standards, and the city itself was built with immaculate planning.

While visiting Islamabad, you’ll find greenery everywhere due to its tropical rainy climate. The beautiful Margalla Hills, for example, lend the city a breath of fresh air. Islamabad is a place where you can find modernity inextricable from nature.

Still not convinced this gorgeous city is for you? Read on for more compelling reasons to visit Islamabad! 

An Ideal Time to Visit

As an insider, I would encourage you not to worry about finding the “best” time to visit Islamabad. The weather of Islamabad remains moderate most of the year, and bouts of extreme weather are very unusual. I recommend booking your tickets at the earliest. Natural beauty and cultural uniqueness abound any time of year! 

Popular Intercity Modes of Transportation

In Islamabad, taxis are the most popular mode of transportation. Other than that, you can also use the Metro Bus Service, which covers most of the areas of Islamabad. Remember to bargain over taxi fare with the taxi driver before hiring, because some of them tend to overcharge foreigners (if not all their passengers).

Language

Though Islamabad accommodates people from all provinces and foreign lands, the Urdu language is a binding factor and is used for most communication and connection among the city’s inhabitants. Since most of Islamabad’s citizens are educated, English is also used as a lingua franca to communicate with foreigners.

Food & Lodging

You can book a hotel at rates of anywhere from 4000 Pakistani rupees (about 25 USD) to 25000 (about 155.50 USD) per night. As for food, you can get a wide variety of Desi, Chinese, and continental food in Islamabad. Dining can be as cheap as 500 PKR (about 3 USD) per meal, or as costly as a Western five-star restaurant.

If you’re a lover of Desi cuisine, don’t forget to visit UrduPod101’s article all about Pakistani Cuisine!

10 Must-Visit Places in Islamabad

Now that you’re equipped with the information you need to make the most of your trip, let’s have a look at the top ten must-visit places in Islamabad.

یادگارِ پاکستان .1 (Yadgar-e-Pakistan) – Pakistan Monument

Inaugurated on March 23, 2007, Pakistan Monument is one of the national monuments of Pakistan. It’s situated on the Western Hills of Shakarparian, has a total area of 2.8 hectares, and features a granite construction. 

An average of 1500 tourists visit this site each day, taking in its unique blooming flower shape. Its four chief petals represent the unity of Pakistan. An aerial view of the monument gives the impression of a crescent with a star in its center.

2 (Shah Faisal Masjid) – Shah Faisal Mosque

Shah Faisal Mosque is another must-visit place in Islamabad. You’ll find this mosque on the foothills of the Margalla Hills. The mosque is named after the Saudi King Faisal, who granted $120 million for the construction of this mosque in 1976. The mosque bears a contemporary design inspired by a nomadic tent in an Arabian desert.

The total area of the mosque is approximately 54,000 square feet, including the structure. It’s located on the northern side of Faisal Avenue.

3 (National Art Gallery)

The National Art Gallery is the first of its kind in Pakistan. It’s located in Islamabad, opposite the مجلسِ شوریٰ (Majlis-e-Shoora), or the Parliament of Pakistan, and ایوانِ صدر (Aiwan-e-Sadar), which is the Pakistani President’s House. The gallery is run by پاکستان قومی انجمن فنون (Pakistan Qaumi Anjuman Fanoon), or the Pakistan National Council of Arts.

It covers a nearly 1800-square-yard area with a total of fourteen galleries and areas for display. It also has certain other facilities such as a library, lecture halls, laboratories, and arrangements for workshops. The Pakistan National Council of Arts is well-known for arranging the meritorious events regarding visual arts, performing arts, pictorial exhibitions, etc. If you’re an art-lover, do not miss the opportunity to visit this place. It will add value to your memories.

4 (Pakistan Museum of Natural History)

The Pakistan Museum of Natural History is located at the Garden Avenue in Shakarparian, and has been functional since 1976. With a rich collection of over 300,000 objects, it has been divided into four main sections: 

• Earth Sciences
• Botanical Sciences Division
• Zoological Sciences Division
• Public Services Division

Today, it’s one of the largest attractions in Islamabad for tourists and locals alike. 

The museum is a compendium of information on the subjects of geology, ecology, and the country’s paleontology. It’s also a research center that works under the guidance of the وزارتِ سائنس و ٹیکنالوجی (Wazarat-e-science wa technology), or Ministry of Science and Technology. Every day but Friday, the museum is accessible for all from ten a.m. to five p.m. If you’re curious about natural history, include this place on your Islamabad agenda! 

دامنِ کوہ .5 (Daman-e-koh) – Foothill   

The phrase Daman-e-Koh is made by combining the two Persian words دامن (daman) and کوہ (Koh), and it means “foothill.” Located on the Margalla Hills, this is a famous viewing point that attracts many visitors who want to enjoy the panoramic view of Pakistan’s capital. From this point, you can capture the full-frame view of Faisal Mosque, Rawal Lake, and Seventh Avenue with the help of already-installed telescopes. It also serves as a midpoint to the place of Pir Sohawa. 

Coming across wildlife here is a common event, with monkeys being particularly abundant. Some people have even spotted snow leopards during the season of snowfall.   

6 (Lok Virsa Ajaib Ghar) – Lok Virsa Museum

Started in 1974 and gaining autonomy in 2002, لوک ورثہ عجائب گھر (Lok Virsa Ajaib Ghar), or Heritage Museum, is located in Islamabad at the Hills of Shakarparian. The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage runs the museum, which focuses on the subjects of culture and history. It’s a vast complex with an area of 60,000 square feet and the capacity to hold 3000 visitors simultaneously.

Among its major departments are: 

• Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology
• Lok Virsa Library
• Virsa Research and Publication Center
• Virsa Media Center
• Sufi and Shrines Hall 

This is a great source for learning about the folklore, folk music, anthropology, folk history, arts, and so on, of Pakistan. You’ll also be able to see a great collection of Pakistani jewelry, embroidery, pottery, textiles, and statues. Your trip to Islamabad should absolutely include this gem of a museum, especially if you want to explore the Pakistani folk realm.

7 (Said Pur Gaon) – Said Pur Village

With a 500-year-old history, Said Pur Village has been influenced by the Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu eras. The village is situated on the Hills of Margalla in the city of Islamabad. This location has been mentioned in the biography of the famous Mughal emperor Jahangir in Tuzk-e-Jahangiri.

During the Mughal reign, the village was named after Sultan Said Khan, the son of Sultan Sarang Khan. The latter was the lord of the region of the Pothohar. 

Due to its richness in cultural terms, the Government of Pakistan has given concentrated efforts to restore and maintain its ancient grandeur. The goal is to make it an attraction for tourists visiting Islamabad from different corners of the world.

8 (Islamabad Chirrya Ghar) – Islamabad Zoo

If you love animals and want to spend some quality time with the indigenous species, mark the Zoo of Islamabad as a place to visit during your visit to Pakistan. It covers an area of approximately 82 acres in the Hills of Margalla and has a huge collection of birds and animals. In the past, it provided a natural habitat for wildlife, but it has been converted into a zoo for the public.

Roaring wild animals and enchanting fowls are waiting to entertain you and keep you company at the Zoo of Islamabad. Go visit them!

راول جھیل .9 (Rawal Jheel) – Rawal Lake

Covering an area of 8.8 kilometers, Rawal Lake is a water reservoir. A few small streams and the River of Korang contribute to making this artificial reservoir sufficient for the water requirements of the twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi). It’s located in the Hills of Margalla and also touches the premises of the Bani Gala and the villages of Malpur.

It’s a famous picnic spot with heavy flowery plantations. You can enjoy boating and fishing here, and you may even see some rare wildlife species such as jungle cats, wild boars, foxes, jackals, and some poisonous reptiles like the Indian cobra. 

10 (Shahdara Valley)

The Valley of Shahdara is also located in the Hills of Margalla, and it lies at a distance of 10 kilometers from the official residence of the president of Pakistan (Aiwan-e-Sadar). The residents of this valley largely speak Potohari, though they can understand and speak Urdu and Punjabi as well.

It’s full of natural beauty with green hilltops, agricultural planes, natural meadows, and flowing water rills. If you want to return to your country regret-free, do not exclude Shahdara Valley from your list of must-visit places in Islamabad.

Even More Places to Visit for an Extended Stay

Are you going to be spending a little longer in Pakistan and have some extra cash to spend? Great! Here are our recommendations on where to visit in Islamabad for an extended stay.

سملی ڈیم (Simli Dam)

Nineteen miles east of the city of Islamabad, on the Soan River, lies the Simli Dam. This is the drinking water reservoir of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, which gets its water from the melting snow of the Murree Hills. It’s 260 feet high and became functional in 1982. This is a good tourist resort for travelers, so make sure to put it on your list! 

شاہ اللہ دتہ کیوز (Shah Allah Ditta Caves)

Shah Allah Ditta is an ancient village located in Islamabad in the Hills of Margalla, and also functions as the union council of the city of Islamabad. Its history dates back many centuries, as it’s thought to have existed for more than seven hundred years. Its remnants and relics of the Budh culture attract visitors from all over the world. 

فاطمہ جناح باغ (Fatima Jinnah Bagh) – Fatima Jinnah Park

Also known as Capital Park and F-9 Park, Fatima Jinnah Park occupies an area of 750 acres. This public park is named after the مادرِ ملت (Madar-e-millat), or Mother of Nation, Fatima Jinnah. This is one of the best parks to visit in Islamabad if you have enough time during your stay. 

Urdu Survival Phrases for Travelers

When visiting a foreign land, it’s always useful to have a set of phrases and sentences in the native language. They can save you trouble and money under numerous circumstances. To give you a head start, here are some useful Urdu survival phrases that you can use as needed.

 السلامُ علیکم
(Assalam-u-alaikum.)
Hello.

 صبح بخیر
(Subha Bakhair.)
Good morning.

اللہ حافظ
(Allah Hafiz.)
Goodbye.

شکریہ
(Shukriya.)
Thank you.

 معاف کیجئے گا۔
(Maaf Kijiye ga.)
Excuse me.

میں معافی چاہتا/چاہتی ہوں۔
(Main Maafi chahta/chahti hun.)
I am sorry.

بیت الخلاء کہاں ہے؟
(Baitul Khala Kahan Hai?)
Where is the restroom?

براہِ مہربانی کیا آپ دُہرا سکتے ہیں؟
(Barah-e-meharbani kya aap dohra sakte hain?)
Can you repeat it, please?

براہِ مہربانی، ذرا آہستہ۔
(Barah-e-meharbani, zara aahista.)
A bit slower, please.

معاف کیجئے، مجھے سمجھ نہیں آئی۔
(Maaf kijiye, mujhe samajh nahi aayi.)
I am sorry, I couldn’t understand.

کیا آپ انگلش بولتے ہیں؟
(Kia aap English bolte hain?)
Do you speak English?

In addition to learning these survival phrases, we recommend checking out our lesson on the 20 Travel Phrases You Should Know on UrduPod101.com.

Conclusion

In this article, you’ve learned tons of useful information to help you plan your visit to Islamabad: the best time to visit, what to expect weather-wise, the best places to see, and much more. 

Are you ready to pack your bags and book your ticket to Islamabad? Are you excited to explore the beauty and cultural heritage of this magnificent city? 

If so, you’re in for the experience of a lifetime. But it’s okay if you’re not quite feeling up to the task yet. Feel free to leave us a comment with any questions you still have about Islamabad or Pakistan in general. We’re always glad to help! 

Also, remember to visit UrduPod101.com to hone your Urdu language skills. Our website is a rich repository of Urdu language learning resources with pages on Urdu vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and more—all designed to develop your integrated language skills and help you benefit from them in real-life situations.

Very Happy Urdu Learning!

While visiting Pakistan, don’t be surprised if you hear the indigenous people using a few English words in their Urdu conversations. This implementation of English words in the Urdu language (a phenomenon referred to as Pinglish or Paklish) is a normal occurrence in everyday Urdu speech. 

The English language and culture have imprinted deeply on Pakistani society, largely due to the historical colonial context of Pakistan. Remember that before it gained its independence in 1947, Pakistan was under British rule for many decades.

In this article, we’ll discuss two categories of English words used in the Urdu language: Pinglish/Paklish and loanwords. And because this language exchange goes both ways, we’ll also introduce you to some common Urdu words used in English. 

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Pinglish / Paklish
2. Pinglish Examples
3. Loanwords vs. Pinglish
4. How to Say These Names in Urdu
5. English Words Derived From Urdu
6. Conclusion

Introduction to Pinglish / Paklish

Language is a continuous phenomenon. In fact, it’s much like a living organism in that it evolves over time as the world around it changes and advances. This is especially noticeable in the fields of education, science, medicine, and technology, for example. 

With the rise of globalization, the Urdu language has come to accommodate, adapt, and assimilate a bunch of useful English words, creating a unique language hybrid: Pakistani English. 

Historical Development

The evolution of Pinglish didn’t happen overnight. Its roots can be traced back to the nineteenth century, when educationists and political activists (such as Sir Syed Ahmed Khan) motivated Muslims to learn English and use that knowledge as a medium of resistance against the colonial forces.

Impacts of Colonization

Colonization deeply affected the culture of the subcontinent, which in turn had an impact on the Urdu language. During the colonial era, people were discouraged from using the Urdu language and higher-ups in particular were encouraged to learn and use English. This resulted in an emerging comprador class that popularized English among Pakistanis at every level of society.

Current Sociolinguistic Scenario in Pakistan

Keeping this historical context in view, it’s easy to see how the English language made its initial cultural inroads into Pakistani society. Pakistanis took pride in learning and using English, which served as a mode of communication in a variety of public and private sectors. 

This trend continues to date, and English is popular among the majority of Pakistanis today. Being able to speak English is seen as a status symbol in Pakistan. Over time, they have acclimatized the language according to their needs.

Pinglish Examples

Today, there are many English words used in Urdu across a variety of sectors and mediums, at every level of society. 

Pinglish refers to the mixing of English and Urdu words by Urdu speakers, and this mixing is often necessary when discussing certain topics. For example, Pinglish may be employed if an Urdu word does not exist for a specific concept (or vice-versa). 

In the following sections, we’ll introduce you to a few Pinglish words as well as important grammatical concepts related to Pinglish. 

Urdu Vocabulary Used in Pakistani English

As mentioned, Pakistanis often switch between English and Urdu while speaking in order to use the best words for a given context. When it comes to topics such as Islamic values and Pakistani culture, Urdu words are most often used because there are no suitable English words to describe them. 

Here are a few examples of Urdu words used when speaking Pinglish:

• مدرسہ (madressa) – school
• نماز (namaz) – prayers
• مشاعرہ (mushaira) – a gathering of poets for a poetic rendition
• بُزکشی (buzkushi) – a game of sheep-hunting

Pinglish Grammar

In addition to vocabulary swapping, another common characteristic of Pinglish is the adaptation of English grammar rules when inflecting Urdu words. A great example of this is when Pakistanis add the ‘s’ sound to the end of an Urdu noun to make it plural:

• جاگیردار (jagirdar) – “landlord” —-> جاگیردارز (jagirdars) – “landlords”
• جلسہ (jalsa) – “meeting” —-> جلساز (jalsas) – “meetings”

The opposite also takes place, where Pakistanis use an English word and apply Urdu grammar rules to it. For example, one of the formulas for making a word plural in Urdu is to attach یں (ain) to the end:

• آنکھ (aankh) – “eye” —-> آنکھیں (aankhain) – “eyes”

Pakistanis sometimes attach this suffix to English words to make them plural: 

• کلاس (class) – “class” —-> کلاسیں (classain) – “classes”
• میڈم (madam) – “madam” —-> میڈمیں (madmain) – “madams”
• بال (ball) – “ball” —-> بالیں (ballain) – “balls”

Urdu Vocabulary Used for Abrogation

Sometimes, Pakistanis use an Urdu word even when there is a suitable English word available. This is especially common among Pakistani writers who do so as an act of abrogation or defiance, in order to strengthen the process of decolonization. 

Below are a few examples of words that some famous postcolonial writers have used in their fiction writing.

• جشن (jashan) – festival
• تھانہ (thana) – police station
• میلہ (mela) – a Punjabi festival

Loanwords vs. Pinglish

So far, we have talked about the various manifestations of Pinglish. But now we will focus our attention on loanwords, which are English words commonly used in Urdu without any morphological or semantic changes. These words are taken directly from English and do not have a translation in Urdu. 

Below are some examples of English loanwords in Urdu you’re likely to come across. 

Food-Related Vocabulary

• برگر (burger)
• ہوٹل (hotel)
• سینڈوچ (sandwich)
• چاکلیٹ (chocolate)
• چپس (chips)

Be sure to check out our Food vocabulary list to learn more relevant words! 

 Technology-Related Vocabulary

• کمپیوٹر (computer)
• ٹیلیویژن (television)
• فریج (fridge)
• فریزر (freezer)
• اوون (oven)
• موبائل (mobile)
• انٹرنیٹ (internet)

 For more words, see our vocabulary list on Technology.

Film Industry-Related Vocabulary

• فلم (film)
• کیمرہ (camera)
• مووی (movie)
• فلم سیٹ (film set)
• سینما (cinema)
• تھیٹر (theater)

Are you a film buff? Here are some Useful Words and Phrases for Going to the Movies! 

More Loanwords

• پیریڈ (parade)
• پیٹرول (petrol)
• نمبر (number)
• سر (sir)
• ریڈیو (radio)
• ماسٹر (master)
• فلائی اوور (flyover)

How to Say These Names in Urdu 

Having discussed a few intricacies of Pinglish, let’s divert our attention to a lighter subject. Have you ever wondered how Urdu pronunciation affects the way Pakistanis say Western names? Below are a few examples of how Pakistanis pronounce some of the most famous brand and personality names. 

چارلس (Char-las) – Charles

The name ‘Charles’ is given an Urdu touch by being pronounced with two syllables. 

لیڈی ڈیانا (Lady Da-ya-na) – Lady Diana

Despite Lady Diana being one of the most renowned Western celebrities in Pakistan, the majority of the population mispronounces her name. In this case, it’s often broken down into three syllables: ڈیانا (da-ya-na).

نائیکی (Nike-ee) – Nike

Nike is a famous brand in Pakistan, but is pronounced incorrectly as نائیکی (Nike-ee).

قلوپطرہ (Colo-pat-ra) – Cleopatra

The historically famous name ‘Cleopatra’ has been appropriated into Urdu as قلوپطرہ (Colo-pat-ra). As you can see, its Urdu pronunciation is quite different from its English one.

میڈم باوری (Madam Bav-ri) – Madame Bovary

The popular fictitious character ‘Madame Bovary’ becomes میڈم باوری (Madam Bav-ri) in Urdu.

English Words Derived From Urdu

Until now, we’ve discussed how colonization has affected the Urdu language and resulted in what we now know as Pinglish or Pakistani English. But did you know that there are plenty of English words borrowed from Urdu as well? 

During the colonial era, English administrators, missionaries, and travelers picked up certain oriental words and added them to their memoirs and travelogues. Many of these words became an integral part of the English language over time.

Here are just a few examples of common English words from Urdu: 

• جنگل (jungle)
• کمربند (cummerbund)
• خاکی (khaki)
• پاجامہ (pajama)
• خوشی (cushy)
• ٹھگ (thug)

Conclusion

In this article, we introduced you to the various dimensions of Pakistani English and even presented you with English words that originally came from Urdu. We hope you now feel more confident about your upcoming trip to Pakistan and that you’re better equipped to handle day-to-day conversations using Pinglish and loanwords. 

Are there any loanwords we forgot to mention? Or a name you would like to know the Urdu pronunciation of? Drop us a comment and we’ll get back to you! 

If you enjoyed this article, make sure to continue exploring UrduPod101.com. We are the best online platform for learning Urdu and studying Pakistani culture, offering our students a rich repository of resources on Urdu vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and more. Learn Urdu faster and easier than ever before, and start speaking from your first lesson. 

Very Happy Urdu Learning!

Culture defines a nation’s society. Not only does it contextualize the multiple perspectives contained within that nation, but it also influences how people live, behave, engage, and communicate with others. As such, studying a nation’s culture will provide you with the framework you need to make the most of your travels there. It’s also a great opportunity to broaden your horizons by exploring cultural traits unfamiliar or foreign to you. 

While exploring the cultural background of Pakistan, you’ll find its society to be a montage of various cultural and ethnic values of different provinces. Its unique sociopolitical, gastronomic, cultural, historical, and artistic identities are certainly a sight to behold! 

In this Pakistani culture introduction, you’ll gain a wealth of information regarding Pakistan and its culture. We will cover a range of topics, from the political culture of Pakistan to its most popular foods and customs.

Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

1. Values and Beliefs
2. Philosophies and Religions
3. Family and Work
4. Art and Sports
5. Food
6. Traditional Holidays
7. Conclusion

1. Values and Beliefs

While Pakistan is not a ‘melting pot’ nation, it does feature numerous provinces and sub-regional cultures with their own sets of traditions. This creates a kaleidoscope of customs that reflects our unity in diversity. Let’s take a look at how this ‘kaleidoscope’ applies to the values and beliefs held throughout Pakistan. 

A- The Cultural Kaleidoscope of Pakistan

What comes to mind when you think of the ‘typical’ Pakistani? A man wearing a شلوار، قمیض، شیروانی (shalwar, qameez, sherwani) and speaking the Urdu language? If so, you’re not necessarily wrong. But to really understand Pakistani culture and society, you must dig deeper. There is a lot of diversity to be discovered!

In Pakistan, each province contributes to enriching our cultural kaleidoscope without compromising its own unique indigenous identity. To give you a clearer picture of what this Pakistani cultural diversity looks like, let’s have a brief look at life in the different cultural regions throughout the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Punjab

Population-wise, پنجاب (Punjab) is Pakistan’s largest province. The language spoken here is Punjabi. It is customary for the men of Punjab to wear shalwar and qameez, though you can also find a large number of men wearing pants and a shirt in the metropolitan areas. Women wear شلوار، قمیض، دوپٹہ (shalwar, qameez, dupatta). Traditional men still cover their heads with a پگڑی (pagri), or turban.

Sindh

Sindh is another provincial unit of Pakistan with its own unique history, culture, and language. The language spoken here is Sindhi. In addition to the شلوار قمیض (shalwar, qameez) mentioned earlier, men of Sindh also wear a سندھی ٹوپی (Sindhi topi), or Sindhi cap, or a shawl called اجرک (ajrak). Like Punjabi women, Sindhi women also tend to wear شلوار، قمیض، دوپٹہ (shalwar, qameez, dupatta).

Balochistan

Territorially, Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan. Due to its remoteness, it is quite orthodox and more traditional in its cultural approach. People in this region live in tribes, and the province’s indigenous language is Balochi. Men wear شلوار، قمیض، بلوچی پگڑی (shalwar, qameez, Balochi pagri), while women wear a headscarf, a long upper dress, and a shalwar. 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, and it parallels the traditionalist and orthodox approach of Balochistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also features a tribal system in which people prefer living in tribes and clans. Men wear شلوار، قمیض، پختون پگڑی (shalwar, qameez, Pakhtoon pagri) and women wear فراک پرتوگ (firaq partug), which is a Pashtun type of shalwar and qameez.

B- Motto & Slogan

Even though there is much diversity in the ways of living of these major provincial units, Pakistanis are bound together with a common motto and slogan. 

ایمان، اتحاد، تنظیم (Iman, Ittihad, Tanzeem) – Faith, Unity, Discipline

ایمان، اتحاد، تنظیم (Iman, Ittihad, Tanzeem) translates to “Faith, Unity, Discipline.” This motto has become the unifying force among Pakistanis. It was put forward by the nation’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, whom Pakistanis revere as the father of the nation.

پاکستان زندہ باد (Pakistan Zindabad)

The national slogan of Pakistan is پاکستان زندہ باد (Pakistan Zindabad), meaning “Long Live Pakistan.” It is customary to raise this slogan at all national festivities to ensure patriotism and strengthen the nation’s unity.

2. Philosophies and Religions

Pakistani culture and traditions are largely influenced by our dominant religions and philosophical ideals. In this section, we’ll discuss the most important information regarding the topics of philosophy and religion in Pakistan. 

اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان (Islami Jamhooria Pakistan) – The Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Pakistan is an ideological country that attained independence in the name of Islam. Therefore, the country is named after the Islamic religion: اسلامی جمہوریہ پاکستان (Islami Jamhooriya Pakistan).

دو قومی نظریہ (Do Qaumi Nazria) – Two-Nations Theory

At the time of the decolonization of the subcontinent in 1947, Pakistan was encouraged to remain a part of the united sub-continent. However, Pakistanis had already defined their national philosophy in the form of the دو قومی نظریہ (do qomi nazriya), or “two-nations theory.” 

This theory states that Muslims are part of a separate nation from the Hindus. Further, it states that Muslims have a different religion, culture, and language from the Hindus, as well as distinct ways of worshipping and living. 

The two-nation theory was postulated and popularized by the father of the Pakistani nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

An Ideal Islamic State/Sovereignty of Islam

Since Pakistan was founded on the ideology of Islam, it seeks guidance from the two Islamic sources: the Holy Quran and Hadith. The National Assembly of Pakistan passed the current Constitution of Pakistan on April 10, 1973. The constitution also seeks guidance from the Holy Quran and Hadith, and never contradicts them.

Freedom of Religion for Minorities

Despite being an Islamic state, Pakistan allows minorities to exercise full religious freedom in light of The Constitution of Pakistan. You will also see an inter-religious harmony in Pakistani society, refuting the narratives of fundamentalism.

3. Family and Work

Like in any country, family and work are two integral aspects of daily life in Pakistan. The institution of family, in particular, is a cementing force in Pakistani society. Let’s take a closer look.

A- The Joint Family System

In Pakistani culture, family life is largely centered on the joint family system. According to this system, several generations of a family live together under the same roof, with one person heading the household. While you may also find nuclear families in Pakistan, they are uncustomary and few in number. Nuclear families tend to be more popular in urban areas than in the countryside.

→ Want to expand your vocabulary? Study our lesson Talking About Family in Urdu to learn some practical words and phrases on this topic!

B- Friendship and Unmarried Couples

Because Pakistan is an Islamic country, you will not find opposite-sex friendships here. It is also illegal to move in with someone as a couple or friend if you’re not married to that person.

C- Government vs. Private Sector

Whether it’s a remnant from the Colonial era or due to some other reason, Pakistani people prefer to enter the civil services rather than the private sector in their work. In general, they associate civil services with the sense of security government jobs offer.

D- Work Ethics 

In Pakistan, you’ll find that most places have gender segregation. For this reason, there are separate work ethic expectations and protocols for both genders. For example, male employees may be asked to spend extra time at the office while a female employee would not face this situation.

4. Art and Sports

Art is part and parcel of any culture. As such, you would be hard-pressed to find a culture that doesn’t preserve its indigenous arts! Pakistani culture features a rich artistic history, and the country also has a strong presence in the sports world. Take a look.

A- Legacy of Mughal Art

Originating in the sixteenth century, the Mughal dynasty of the Muslim rulers contributed greatly to the cultural art of the sub-continent. After partition from India, Pakistan received a large heritage of Mughal art in different domains. The Mughals encouraged generous patronage to different art forms like music, architecture, painting, and calligraphy.

B- Pakistani Music, Dramas, and Movies

After gaining its independence in 1947, Pakistan made great progress in its film, music, and TV industries. The dramas telecasted by the national TV channel of Pakistan (PTV) were widely popular among the neighboring countries because of their strong scripts and high standards of acting. The Pakistani film industry, named Lollywood, has gone through different boom and bane periods and is now struggling to once again raise its standard.

Classical and semi-classical are the most-praised forms of Pakistani music. Pakistan has produced many great names in these genres, including Ustad Mehdi Hasan Khan, Ustad Ghulam Ali Khan, and Madam Noor Jehan.

C- Calligraphy and Painting

Contemporary Pakistani artists have benefited from the legacy left behind by Mughal calligraphy and paintings, and have taken this legacy to the pinnacle of their careers. In the fields of calligraphy and painting, we must mention two names who greatly contributed to these fine arts: Sadequain and Chughtai. 

D- Pakistani Literature 

Pakistani culture finds its due representation in the domain of Pakistani literature. Pakistan has produced many poets, novelists, and dramatists of worldwide merit. To give you an idea of the most prominent names:

Poets

• Faiz Ahmad Faiz
• Ahmad Faraz
• Muneer Niazi

Short Story Writers

• Saadat Hasan Manto
• Ghulam Abbas

Novelists

• Abdullah Hussain
• Mumtaz Mufti
• Quratul-ain-Haider

Pakistani Literature Written in English

• Taufiq Raffat
• Ahmad Ali
• Mohsin Hamid
• Kamila Shamsi

Be sure to check out our vocabulary list for Talking About Books in Urdu to learn some useful vocabulary! 

E- Sports

Pakistanis are a sports-loving people. The average Pakistani is well-built, muscular, and loves physical activities. Hockey is the national sport of Pakistan; nevertheless, cricket is the most popular. Pakistan won the Cricket World Cup in 1992. کبڈی (kabaddi) and کشتی (kushti) are two other indigenous sports of Pakistan, both of them well-loved and often-played throughout the country. 

→ See our lesson on Sports to learn some relevant Urdu vocabulary—and to familiarize yourself with the top five sports in Pakistan.

5. Food

Pakistan can be described as a foodie nation. In Pakistani culture, food is considered one of life’s pleasures, and Pakistanis enjoy eating a good meal and arranging food-related festivities. Pakistani cuisine has a long list of specialties! Because we can’t list all of the delicacies here, we’ll just introduce you to the most popular ones. 

چکن/مٹن کڑاہی (Chicken/Mutton Karrahi)

To make this dish, the meat is fried right in front of the customer. Tomatoes, onions, ginger, chilis, and lemon are then added, in addition to a variety of spices including: coriander, pepper powder, cumin seeds, and red button chilis.

نهاری (Nihari)

The main ingredients in Nihari are meat, onion, ginger-garlic paste, chili paste, yogurt, and wheat flour. Coriander, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and cardamom give it a special aroma. Lemon and ginger make the best garnishes for this dish.

بریانی (Biryani)

Filled with the aroma of Pakistani Basmati rice, this dish is one of the most popular Desi main courses. To make this dish, rice is boiled in water and then combined with meat and cooked with the following ingredients: green chili paste, ginger-garlic paste, coriander, cumin, yogurt, black pepper, and bay leaf.

حلیم (Haleem)

The meat is cooked while mixing grains and lentils in with it. Spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon are added later to add flavor and aroma.

چپلی کباب (Chapli Kabab)

This dish consists of minced mutton or beef (with a reasonable amount of fat in it) that is deep-fried in boiling oil. Other ingredients include onion, ginger, garlic, tomato, coriander, and chilis.

6. Traditional Holidays

While visiting Pakistan, you’ll notice that Pakistanis celebrate many holidays of religious significance. However, there are also a few holidays that are more secular in nature. Let’s take a look.

یومِ آزادی (Youm-e-Azadi) – Independence Day

August 14 is a national holiday to commemorate the Independence Day of Pakistan. The country received its independence on August 14, 1947.عیدین (Eidain)

Pakistanis celebrate three عیدین (Eidain), or Eids, at different times of the year.

عیدالفطر (Eid-ul-fitr) is celebrated after the completion of the holy month of Ramadan on the first day of the Islamic month Shawwal. عیدالاضحٰی (Eid-ul-azha) is celebrated on the tenth of Zilhaj. Pakistanis normally get three days of holiday for both of these Eids. 

The final Eid celebrates the birthday of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). This is a public holiday celebrated on the twelfth of the holy month of Rabi-ul-awwal. It’s called عید میلاد النبی (Eid Milad-ul-nabi).

 (Ashur)

Ashur is a public holiday celebrated on the tenth of the Islamic month of Moharam to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

یومِ یکجہتئ کشمیر (Youm-e-Yakjehti E Kashmir) – Kashmir Solidarity Day

Every year on February 5, Pakistanis observe this public holiday to exhibit solidarity with the Indian-occupied Kashmiris and to help them achieve their right of self-determination.

یومِ مزدور (Youm-e-mazdoor) – Labor Day

On May 1, all public and private offices and institutions remain closed.

یومِ پاکستان (Youm-e-Pakistan) – Pakistan Day

March 23 is a national holiday to commemorate the historic achievement of the Muslims of the sub-continent on this particular date in 1940. The Muslims of the sub-continent passed the Resolution of Pakistan on this date at the historical Minto Park Lahore.  

7. Conclusion

In this guide to Pakistani culture, you’ve learned a lot of practical information that you can start applying to your language studies or travel plans right away. Did we forget to bring up any particular detail about Pakistan? If you have any questions, feel free to ask us in the comments; we’ll get back to you as soon as possible! 

In the meantime, don’t forget to explore UrduPod101.com to benefit from this extremely rich repository of Urdu language learning resources. Here, you’ll have access to a variety of useful Urdu linguistic resources, including an Urdu dictionary, pronunciation tips, vocabulary lists, and grammar lessons. We also aim to include practical cultural information in each of our lessons, so you can get a more immersive learning experience.

Very Happy Urdu Learning!

We’ve all heard the cliché that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. 

But are you familiar with the following words from George Bernard Shaw? 

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food.“ 

Or these from Virginia Woolf? 

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

Considering the significant role that food plays in our lives, we’ve decided to compose an entire article dedicated to Pakistani food and cuisine. In this article, you’ll learn about a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes, from Pakistani street food to recipes you can make at home. You’ll also discover some facts about Pakistani food culture and pick up essential food-related vocabulary. 

Let’s dig in.

Table of Contents

1. Must-Try Dishes in Pakistani Restaurants
2. Unique Pakistani Foods
3. Food-Related Vocabulary
4. Cultural Tips Regarding Food in Pakistan
5. Conclusion

1. Must-Try Dishes in Pakistani Restaurants

A superb way to begin is with some widely popular Desi dishes of Pakistan. You’ll find them available at just about any Pakistani restaurant, with few exceptions.

چکن/مٹن کڑاہی (Chicken/Mutton Karahi)

Chicken or mutton Karahi is one of the most popular main courses in Pakistani restaurants. Karahi refers to the cookware the meal is cooked (and sometimes also served) in. It’s a metal pan, often made of iron, with a flattened base.

The meat (either chicken or mutton) is fried in an open fire until tender, usually right in front of the customers. Seeing the meat cooked in front of you makes the dish more desirable. The main ingredients include: 

• Chicken/Mutton (cut into small pieces)
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Ginger
• Chilis
• Lemon 

Common spices include coriander, pepper powder, cumin seeds, and red button chilis.

The meat can be served with butter, and many Desi foodies love to have it cooked in desi ghee which makes the meal very authentically Desi. The best time to have this dish is in the evening, though it’s also served in the afternoon.

Of course, روٹی (roti) and نان (naan) are Pakistani food staples that will always be present at the table. Enjoy your karahi with a crispy Roti or Nan.

Chicken Karahi recipe

 (Nihari)

Nihari, another Desi delicacy, is said to have been the recipe of the eighteenth century. It’s associated with the Nawabs of the Indian subcontinent. Since, etymologically, the word is derived from the Urdu word نہار (nihar) meaning “morning,” it’s clear to see that the best time to enjoy this dish is in the morning at breakfast time.

On average, it takes 6-8 hours to cook beef Nihari, though the time frame may change for lamb or chicken. This dish’s main ingredients are:

• Meat
• Onion
• Ginger-garlic paste
• Chili paste
• Yogurt
• Wheat flour

The main spices are coriander, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and cardamom. Lemon, ginger, and coriander can also be used as tasty garnishes.

Nihari recipe

 (Biryani)

The first two Pakistani dishes we described are served with Roti or Nan. Now, let’s move toward something a little different: Biryani. This is a frequent main course in Pakistani homes and restaurants, easily identified by the unique aroma of Pakistani Basmati rice.

Its main ingredient is rice boiled in water, and you can add chicken, mutton, or beef depending on your preferences. This dish features a range of flavors from spices like: 

• Green chili paste
• Ginger-garlic paste
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Yogurt
• Black pepper
• Bay leaf

Note that this dish has a completely different taste and texture when cooked in the cauldron! 

Biryani recipe

 (Haleem)

Haleem is another must-eat Pakistani Desi dish. Beef is usually the main ingredient, but you can replace it with chicken or mutton. This dish also includes grains and lentils, including rice, mixed lentils, barley, and wheat. 

Cumin, coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon are commonly used to flavor haleem. Popular garnishes include chopped ginger, fried onion, green chilis, and lemon wedges.

Haleem recipe

 (Sajji)

It’s not unusual to see whole chickens being barbecued at small ‘Sajji corners’ throughout Pakistan. Sajji is a common delicacy everywhere in the country. That said, you should expect a little bit of variation in the recipe and ingredients depending on the region.

Originally, Sajji was a Balochi dish from the nomads of Balochistan. But today, it’s just as popular among Pakistanis all over the country. 

Sajji is barbecued on the coals; a whole chicken is grilled on the fire and served with a great deal of simplicity, with or without fried rice. Other ingredients and spices used in this simple meal include: 

• Vinegar
• Ginger-garlic paste
• Black pepper
• Cardamom
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Garlic
• Cinnamon

Sajji recipe

 (Chapli Kabab)

The authentic Pakistani cuisine item chapli kabab, also called Chappal kabab, is a delicacy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (the Northern Western province of Pakistan). The city of Peshawar is the most famous place to order chapli kabab in the country. 

The most important ingredient in this dish is mince of mutton or beef, preferably with a reasonable amount of fat. Other essentials include:

• Onion
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Tomato
• Coriander
• Chilis 

After marinating the mixture for an hour or two, the kababs are ready to be fried and enjoyed. They’re typically served with Naan or Roti.

The unique flavor and aroma of these kababs distinguish them from the rest!

Chapli Kabab recipe

 (Hareesa)

Another popular Desi Pakistani recipe, Hareesa consists of a meat, porridge, and lentil mixture. This dish demands patience; it’s cooked slowly and requires constant stirring.

Beef is the ideal meat for this delicacy, though people may use lamb or chicken instead. It’s also worth noting that three types of lentils are used: channa, moong, and maash. 

Although it looks like gravy, Hareesa is ultimately unique from other Desi gravies in its taste and texture. When it’s ready, some chefs add kababs or koftas (meatballs) to it to make it thicker. It’s then served with Roti or Naan.

Hareesa recipe

 (Paye)

One of the most popular Pakistani cuisine dishes, paye (goat/calf trotters) are often served as the main course at breakfast. This delicacy is normally eaten during winter, but it’s easily available year-round as it’s never out of demand. To prepare it, one uses goat/cow trotters and spices them with: 

• Coriander
• Red chili
• Ginger-garlic paste
• Onions
• Oil
• Salt

You can get ready-to-cook paye in any meat market in Pakistan. This delicacy tastes best when served fresh with lemon wedges, green coriander, and green chilis for garnish.

Paye recipe

2. Unique Pakistani Foods

Having discussed some finger-licking main course Desi Pakistani dishes, let’s expand your knowledge of Pakistani food culture. Below is a list of unique Pakistani foods that are typically used as side dishes, appetizers, desserts, or staples to be eaten with certain main course dishes.

پراٹھہ (Paratha)

In Pakistan, paratha is a staple food that can be used with curry in place of Roti or Naan. It can also be stuffed with potatoes or mince and eaten as a main course. It’s made by kneading wheat flour and frying it in oil or desi ghee on a traditional tawa (a Desi utensil).

 (Lassi)

Lassi is a traditional Pakistani drink, usually taken alongside breakfast. It’s prepared by blending yogurt, milk, butter, and sugar or salt.

 (Halwa Poori)

While visiting Pakistan, never miss Halwa Poori at breakfast; it’s a real exotic specialty of Pakistani cuisine. This typical Desi breakfast consists of fried bread served with the traditional sweet dish halwa. A curry of chickpeas (channay) is another integral part of this meal.

 (Gol Gappay)

For those who love spicy foods, Gol Gappay is a must-try dish. You’ll enjoy the hollow, ball-like fried Poori with the tamarind drink. You may fill the Poori with boiled chickpeas or aloo-chat to discover a range of flavors.

 (Sweets/Desserts)

We can’t forget dessert. Never underestimate the power of Pakistani sweets—they’re good enough to challenge any main course! There are three Pakistani desserts you really need to try on your visit:

1.  جلیبی (Jalebi)

Jalebi consists of maida flour batter that’s been fried in a circular shape and then dipped in sugar syrup. This usually red-colored Pakistani sweet is a treat for the eyes and the tongue! We recommend you treat your taste buds to it during your visit.

2.  رس ملائی (Ras Malai)

Ras Malai (roughly translated to “juicy cream” in English) is a Desi Pakistani dessert consisting of milk, sugar, cream, cardamom, saffron, and pistachio.

3. گلاب جامُن (Gulab Jamun)

Gulab Jamun is known as the national sweet of Pakistan. It’s prepared with dried milk (khoya), oil, and flour (maida). It’s dipped in sugar syrup and flavors such as saffron, rose water, and cardamom are added to it.

3. Food-Related Vocabulary

Now that you’re good and hungry for Desi Pakistani cuisine, it’s time to jump into some practical vocabulary. We’ll cover phrases you can use during conversations or at the restaurant, as well as other food-related words you should know!

→ For even more words and their pronunciation, you can visit our Food vocabulary list.

Basic Phrases

مجھے سخت بھوک لگی ہے۔
Mujhe sakht bhook lagi hai.
I am very hungry.

مجھے بھوک نہیں ہے۔
Mujhe bhook nahi hai.
I am not hungry.

مجھے لسّی پسند ہے۔
Mujhe lassi pasand hai.
I like lassi.

مجھے سلاد پسند نہیں ہے۔
Mujhe salaad pasand nahi hai.
I don’t like salad.

میں گوشت نہیں کھاتا۔
Mei gosht nahi khata.
I don’t eat meat.

مجھے سی فوڈ سے الرجی ہے۔
Mujhe seafood se allergy hai.
I am allergic to seafood.

میرا پسندیدہ کھانا پلاؤ ہے۔
Mera pasandeeda khana pulao hai.
My favorite dish is pulao.

Ingredients

Whether you plan on reading through some Pakistani food recipes in Urdu or just want to add to your core vocabulary, these ingredient words will come in handy.

• چینی (cheeni) – sugar
• نمک (namak) – salt
• لال مرچ (lal mirch) – red chili
• کالی مرچ (kaali mirch) – pepper
• تیل (teil) – oil
• دودھ (doodh) – milk
• پانی (pani) – water
• آٹا (aata) – flour
• پھل (phal) – fruit
• گوشت (gosht) – meat
• سبزی (sabzi) – vegetable

Utensils

You should also be familiar with the names of common cooking utensils:

• کڑاہی (karrahi) – a type of Desi cooking pan
• تندور (tandoor) – a type of Desi oven
• دیگ (deig) – cauldron
• چاقو (chaqoo) – knife

To learn more utensil-related vocabulary, please visit our vocabulary list for Talking About Utensils and Tableware in Urdu. 

Cooking Verbs

Here are a few cooking verbs you’ll come across often in recipes:

• پکانا (pakana) – to cook
• تلنا (talna) – to fry
• کاٹنا (katna) – to cut
• چیلنا (cheelna) – to peel

You can find more useful words and their pronunciations on our list of Essential Vocabulary About Cooking. 

How to Order at a Restaurant

Learn the following Urdu sentences to impress the crew of a Pakistani restaurant with your Urdu speaking skills.

مینو لائیں۔
menu layain
Bring the menu.

آپ کھانا کتنی دیر میں لاؤ گے؟
aap khana kitni der mei lao gey?
How much time will you take to bring food?

بِِل لے آئیں۔
bill le ayain.
Bill, please.

To learn more relevant phrases, please visit our list of the Most Useful Phrases and Vocabulary for Ordering Food in Urdu.

4. Cultural Tips Regarding Food in Pakistan

Because Pakistan is an Islamic country, it has some cultural specificities concerning food. Let’s wade through these customs together so you can become familiar with them and respect them while in Pakistan.

Remember to Ask for Hilal Food Only

Pakistani society is traditionally orthodox and Islamic, so you should never ask for any food item that’s not Hilal. If you insist on doing so, you’ll have to face the music. We recommend that you don’t do this under any circumstances.

Hospitality in Pakistan

Because Pakistan is a tradition-bound society, you’ll find that the majority of the population follows the tradition of hospitality. If you’re a guest, they’ll go out of their way to entertain you. 

On a side note, if you have a Pakistani host who has invited you to a meal, do not try to pay the bill. He will take this as a token of discourtesy.

5. Conclusion

In this article, you’ve learned about the most popular Pakistani foods, relevant vocabulary, and crucial Pakistani food customs.

Are you ready to order your favorite Pakistani dish in Urdu? Have we answered all your questions? If we missed anything, please let us know in the comments and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Continue exploring UrduPod101.com to speed up your Urdu language learning process. Our website is a huge compendium of Urdu language learning resources that will prove useful in improving your Urdu vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and more.

Very Happy Urdu Learning!

Edgar Allan Poe believed, “A man’s grammar, like Caesar’s wife, should not only be pure, but above suspicion of impurity.” 

If you want to sanctify your Urdu grammar, you’re in the right place.

The structure of every language hinges upon its grammar. Having a basic understanding of a language’s grammar allows learners to fine-tune their listening comprehension and use the language clearly and accurately.

On this page, UrduPod101.com will inspire you to learn Urdu grammar in full by providing you with comprehensive overviews of the Urdu grammar basics and showing you how everything falls together.

Table of Contents

1. The Urdu Script and Transliteration System
2. Urdu Syntax and Word Order
3. Verbs and Tenses
4. Nouns
5. Pronouns
6. Adjectives
7. Negation
8. Interrogation
9. Conclusion

1. The Urdu Script and Transliteration System

Urdu is a complete language with a unique script. It borrows its script from two widely popular oriental languages: Persian and Arabic. خطِ نستعلیق (khat-e-Nastaliq) is the standard Urdu writing system, which emerged from a mixture of two different writing scripts called Naskh and Talique. As a rule, you’ll find it written from right to left (instead of left to right, like in English). This writing script includes thirty-eight letters and ten vowel marks (called airaabs).

→ UrduPod101.com uses a comprehensive system of Urdu transliteration for your convenience. If you want more information on how this works, visit our dedicated page.

2. Urdu Syntax and Word Order

As an English speaker, you’re probably used to the SVO (Subject + Verb + Object) word order. Well, in Urdu grammar, sentences follow the SOV (Subject + Object + Verb) order, where the verb and object switch places.

Urdu is called a ‘verb final’ language because, syntactically, the verb comes at the end of the sentence.

To understand this properly, have a look at the following example:

میں چائے پیتا ہوں۔
mei chaye peeta hun.
Subject + Object + Verb

In English, this sentence would be:

I take tea.
Subject + Verb + Object

The word order will take some getting used to, but with enough practice and exposure, it will become second-nature to you.

I take tea.

3. Verbs and Tenses

In Urdu grammar, verbs are rather complex. That said, it’s generally best to start learning the Urdu verbs in their basic (infinitive) form.

Urdu Infinitives

Urdu infinitives always end with نا (na):

•  بولنا (bolna) – “to speak”
• ہنسنا (hansna) – “to laugh”
•  دوڑنا (dodhna) – “to run”

See our article on the 100+ Must-Know Urdu Verbs on UrduPod101.com to learn the most common verbs and how to use them.

The Conjugation of Urdu Verbs

Once you’ve learned a good number of Urdu infinitives, you’ll be better placed to start learning how to conjugate them. We’ll admit that Urdu verb conjugation is pretty complex, but there are several keys to it that will make the process simpler for you over time.

Urdu verbs conjugate according to the tense, person, number, gender, and mood. For the purposes of this overview, we’ll discuss the two most important factors: tense and gender.

Tenses

In Urdu grammar, tenses affect conjugation in a consistent manner. To see what we mean, study the example given below.

سونا (sona) is the base for the Urdu verb that means “to sleep.” Now, let’s have a look at how it conjugates in the present, past, and future simple tenses.

وہ سوتا ہے۔
woh sota hai.
“He sleeps.”

وہ سویا۔
woh soya.
“He slept.”

وہ سوئے گا۔
woh soye ga.
“He will sleep.”

Gender

Gender also plays a vital role in the conjugation of Urdu verbs. Let’s see how gender affects the conjugation of سونا (sona), or “to sleep.”

Male:

میں سوتا ہوں۔
mein sota hun.
“I sleep.”

Female:

میں سوتی ہوں۔
mein soti hun.
“I sleep.”

You can see that the English translation of the sentence remains the same, while the gender of the subject has conjugated the verb in Urdu.

To learn everything about verb conjugation in Urdu, visit our Urdu Verb Conjugation article on UrduPod101.com.

4. Nouns

Now that we’ve talked about verbs and their conjugation, let’s spend some time discussing the Urdu nouns.

Every Noun Has a Gender 

Remember: In Urdu, every noun has a gender. This means that it’s necessary for foreigners to learn the nouns with their proper gender. 

For example:

• کرسی (kursi) – “chair” [feminine]
• میز (maze) – “table” [masculine]

Once you acquire the skill of using Urdu nouns properly, it means that you’ve covered a long distance in your learning and aren’t very far away from total mastery!

Noun Types and Placement in Sentences

The two basic noun types in Urdu are: 

• اسمِ نکرہ (isme nakirah) – “common noun”
• اسمِ معرفہ (isme marfa) – “proper noun” 

They play the same roles in Urdu as their counterparts do in English. Normally, Urdu nouns are placed between the subject and verb of a sentence.

To know more on this topic, read our Urdu Nouns article on UrduPod101.com.

5. Pronouns

Just like English pronouns, Urdu pronouns play a significant role in the structure and function of sentences. They replace nouns that are mentioned more than once in order to avoid repetition.

Basic Types of Urdu Pronouns

Urdu uses many of the same pronoun types as English does. For example, you’ll find the following groups in Urdu:

• ضمیر متکلم (zameer mutkallam) – “first person”
• ضمیر حاضر (zameer hazir) – “second person”
• ضمیر غائب (zameer ghayab) – “third person”

The Special Case of تم (tum) and آپ (aap)

In Pakistan, always be vigilant when using the second person pronoun “you,” which can be translated two ways: آپ (aap) and تم (tum). You must use the former with people you don’t know, the elderly, or those who are above you in status; it sounds the most respectful and formal. Use the latter only if you’ve developed a high level of intimacy with the other person. Otherwise, you may face some serious repercussions.

To explore this topic further, read our Urdu Pronoun article on UrduPod101.com.

6. Adjectives

Like those in English, Urdu adjectives describe nouns and thus are a crucial element of Urdu grammar. Let’s have a cursory look at the nature and function of Urdu adjectives.

The first thing that you must learn is that the gender of an adjective is determined by the noun:  

• گہرا دریا (gehra darya) – “deep river”
• گہری نہر (gehri nehar) – “deep canal”

In the first example, the adjective گہرا (gehra) is used in masculine form because the noun دریا (darya) is masculine. In the second example, the adjective گہری (gehri) is used in feminine form because the noun نہر (nehar) is feminine. Thus, you can see how Urdu adjectives must agree in gender with the noun they describe.

Also remember that Urdu adjectives are normally placed before the nouns they describe. 

7. Negation

In the Urdu language, نہیں (nahi) and نہ (nah) are the most important words of negation. They are equivalent to “no” or “not” in English. Being able to use these words of negation in your own Urdu sentences is a huge milestone, as it will allow you to communicate more complex thoughts. 

Here are a couple of examples of how these words can be used:

یہ نہ کرو۔
yeh na karo.
“Don’t do this.”

میں تم سے ناراض نہیں ہوں۔
mein tum se naraz nahi hun.
“I am not angry with you.”

8. Interrogation

You can hardly imagine a conversation without questions, right? Let’s look at how to form questions in Urdu! 

Words of Interrogation

The first step is to memorize the question words in Urdu. These are:

• کیا (kia) – “what”
• کیوں (kyun) – “why”
• کب (kab) – “when”
• کہاں (kahan) – “where”
• کیسے (kaise) – “how”

Using These Words in Questions

Got it? Great! Then let’s see how to form interrogative sentences with them. 

You can form questions by placing the appropriate question word at the beginning of the sentence or after the subject. 

کیا تم خوش ہو؟
kia tum khush ho?
“Are you happy?”

 تم کیسے ہو؟
tum kaise ho?
“How are you?”

تم کیوں ناراض ہو؟
tum kyun naraz ho?
“Why are you angry?”

تم کہاں ہو؟
tum kahan ho?
“Where are you?”

تم کب آؤ گے؟
tum kab aaoge?
“When will you come?”

9. Conclusion

We’ve now guided you on the basic Urdu grammar rules. You can always use this concise Urdu grammar guide as a quick reference point for your Urdu learning in the future. 

How do you feel so far? If you have any questions or concerns about something we covered here, don’t hesitate to let us know! We’ll be glad to help you out. And if you feel like you need to go over this information with fresh eyes, check out our lesson Painless Urdu Grammar. 

If you enjoyed this lesson and want to learn more with us, feel free to explore UrduPod101.com. We are a rich repository of Urdu language learning resources designed to enhance your Urdu vocabulary, pronunciation, and other relevant skills.

Very Happy Urdu Learning! 

Have you ever encountered a quote that moved you to think more deeply about something or motivated you to start walking another path in life? Quotes can be very influential, spurring individuals and even entire communities into action.

Quotes from different language backgrounds reflect the socio-cultural norms and values of different nations. Luckily for you as a language learner, the Urdu language in particular is quite rich in the field of quotes, with many Pakistani people opting to express themselves through popular Urdu quotes when the situation allows for it.

In this article, you’ll learn a variety of Urdu quotes on life, as well as life’s many aspects and experiences. 

Are you ready? Then let’s get to it.

Table of Contents

1. Quotes About Wisdom
2. Quotes About Struggle and Success
3. Quotes About Life
4. Quotes About Time
5. Quotes About Love
6. Quotes About Family and Friends
7. Some Funny Quotes
8. Conclusion

1. Quotes About Wisdom

In Pakistani society, wisdom and foolishness are common topics of conversation. Here are a few Urdu quotes that touch on the topic!

#1

(ہم تعلیم خرید سکتے ہیں لیکن عقل خدا کا عطا کردہ تحفہ ہے۔ (سعادت حسن منٹو 

hum taleem khareed sakte hain lekin aqal khuda ka ata karda tohfa hai. (Saadat Hasan Manto)

“We can buy education, but wisdom is the gift of God.” (Saadat Hasan Manto)

This quote by Saadat Hasan Manto—a famous Pakistani short story writer—indicates that wisdom and education are not one and the same, and that wisdom is far superior to education. While you can buy education, true wisdom is endowed by God Almighty. 

#2

عقلمند ہے وہ شخص جو انجام سوچ کر کام کرے۔ (حضرت علی) 

Aqal mand hai woh shakhs jo anjaam soch kar kaam kare. (Hazrat Ali)

“Wise is the person who thinks about the result before doing something.” (Hazrat Ali)

This is an Islamic quote by Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam. It highlights the foresightedness of a sage, and it can be used to compliment someone who anticipates the aftermath of a deed—or to admonish those who act without thought of the future. It’s a near equivalent of the English quote, “Think before you leap.”

 #3

 مصیبت اگر انسان کو دولتمند نہیں تو عقلمند ضرور بنا دیتی ہے۔

museebat agar insaan ko dolatmand nahi to aqal mand zaroor bana deti hai.

“Adversity makes a person wise if not wealthy.”

You can use this particular quote to console someone who is facing hard times.

#4 

عقلمند اپنے عیب خود دیکھتا ہے اور بیوقوف کے عیب دنیا دیکھتی ہے۔ (شیخ سعدی) 

Aqal mand apne aib ko khud dekhta hai aur bewaqoof ka aaeb dunya dekhti hai. (Sheikh Saadi)

“A wise person looks at his vices himself and the vices of fools are seen by others.” (Sheikh Saadi)

This quote is by Sheikh Saadi, another renowned Muslim scholar. You can use it to ridicule a foolish person who is unable to identify their vices, or to applaud someone for their ability to do so.  

2. Quotes About Struggle and Success

Spend enough time in Pakistan, and you’re likely to hear a few inspirational quotes in Urdu. Life can get tough, and these uplifting words can make all the difference. 

→ If you enjoy these quotes and want more, make sure you visit our vocabulary lists of the Top 10 Inspirational Urdu Quotes and the Top 11 Urdu Quotes About Success!

#5

انسان کے لئے وہی کچھ ہے جس کے لئے وہ کوشش کرے۔ (القرآن)

insaan ke liye wohi kuch hai jis ke liye wo koshish kare. (Al-Quraan)

“A man gets only what he strives for.” (Al-Quraan)

This quote is perfect for boosting someone’s morale! The quote also takes precedence over the others in this section because of its religious background, being taken from The Holy Quran.

 #6

 محنت اتنی خاموشی سے کرو کہ تمھاری کامیابی شور مچا دے۔

mehnat itni khamoshi se karo ke tumhari kamyabi shor macha de.

“Work hard in silence and let your success make the noise.”

This Urdu quote is a near equivalent of the English saying, “Actions speak louder than words.” It indicates that if you keep working hard, a day will come when your success becomes obvious to others.

#7

بڑی منزلوں کے مسافر چھوٹا دل نہیں رکھتے۔ (وااصف علی واصف) 

badhi manzilon ke musafir chota dil nahi rakhte. (Wasif Ali Wasif)

“Those destined for greater destinations keep a bigger heart.” (Wasif Ali Wasif)

This quote is a near equivalent of, “Not failure, but low aim, is a crime.” It comes from the pen of famous Urdu scholar Wasif Ali Wasif. It means that one should never aim for lower goals and to keep the target and objectives high.

#8

 ذرا نم ہو تو یہ مٹی بڑی ذرخیز ہے ساقی (علامہ اقبال)

zara num ho to yeh matti bari zarkhez hai saqi.(Allama Iqbal)

“This soil is very fertile; just a drop of water is needed.” (Allama Iqbal)

This quote was penned by the national poet of Pakistan, Doctor Allama Muhammad Iqbal. It describes the presence of potential talent in someone that, with only a little circumstantial prompting, will grow into something spectacular. It’s used when someone with limited resources brings extraordinary achievements.

3. Quotes About Life

The world over, people have been trying to pinpoint the meaning of life and our existence. Read through these thought-provoking quotes about life in Urdu to gain some cultural perspective on how Pakistanis view this phenomenon. 

#9

زندگی خود راستے بناتی ہے، راستے زندگی نہیں بناتے۔ (سعادت حسن منٹو) 

zindagi khud raaste banati hai, raaste zindagi nahi banate. (Saadat Hasan Manto)

“Life determines its course, courses do not determine life.” (Saadat Hasan Manto)

Saadat Hasan Manto’s quote refers to life as the driving force in determining one’s course. It doesn’t matter which way you choose to go, because life has its plans to execute.

#10

 زندگی ریاضی کا سوال نہیں جس کا جواب معلوم ہو سکے۔ (واصف علی واصف)

zindagi riyazi ka sawal nahi jis ka jawab maloom ho sake.(Wasif Ali Wasif)

“Life is not a question of mathematics where the answer must be known.” (Wasif Ali Wasif)

This quote explains the enigmatic nature of life. It emphasizes that life is not a mathematical problem that has a definite answer. You can use this quote whenever you’re facing inexplicable circumstances.

#11

 زندگی جبرِ مسلسل کی طرح کاٹی ہے جانے کس جرم کی پائی ہے سزا یاد نہیں (ساغر صدیقی)

 zindagi jabre musalsal ki tarah kaati hai jaane kis jurm ki paayi hai saza yaad nahi. (Saghar Siddiqui)

“I have spent my life like a continuous coercion; I don’t know why I have been punished.” (Saghar Siddiqui)

In Pakistan, people often quote poetic couplets in conversation. This couplet is from the very famous Urdu poet Saghir Siddiqui. It speaks of the tyranny of life, with the poet crying about his continuous sufferings and lamenting for his punishment of an unknown crime. You can use this couplet to comment on the sufferings of someone else or to underline your own sufferings.

#12

زندگی ہے یا کوئی طوفان ہے

zindagi hai ya koi toofan hai

“Is it my life or some kind of a storm?”

This is another popular couplet, often used to comment on the cruelty of life. 

4. Quotes About Time

Time is priceless, and Pakistanis have quite a lot to say on the matter. Read through the following Urdu quotes about time to gain some cultural perspective!

#13

وقت اچھا بھی آئے گا ناصر غم نہ کر زندگی پڑی ہے ابھی (ناصر کاظمی) 

waqt acha bhi aaye gaa nasir gham na kar zindagi parhi hai abhi. (Nasir Kazmi)

“The time will change (Mr. Nasir), there is still a long way to go in this life.” (Nasir Kazmi)

The well-renowned Pakistani poet Nasir Kazmi penned this couplet, in which he forbids sorrow and states that the good times will soon follow, and that life is very long. You can use this quote whenever you want someone to be more hopeful and optimistic.  

#14

 وقت تو وقت پر بدلتا ہے لیکن انسان کسی بھی وقت بدل سکتا ہے۔

waqt to waqt per badalta hai lekin insaan kisi bhi waqt badal sakta hai.

“Time changes at its time but a person can change any time.”

This Urdu quote is used to complain about the transient nature of human beings. It accentuates the fact that time changes over a specified period, but human beings are fickle and may change spontaneously. You can use this quote when someone betrays or disappoints you.

#15

 مشکل وقت سبھی پر آتا ہے کوئی بکھر جاتا ہے کوئی نکھر جاتا ہے۔

mushkil waqt sabhi per aata hai koi bikhar jaata hai koi nikhar jaata hai

“Everyone passes through hard times; some get scattered while the others survive to shine.”

This is the type of quote a leader may use to console an audience and encourage them to pass through an ordeal with dignity to come out victorious.

#16

وقت، اعتبار اور عزت ایسے پرندے ہیں جو اڑ جائیں تو واپس نہیں آتے۔

waqt, aitbaar aur izzat aisay parinde hain jo udh jayain to wapas nahi aate.

“Time, trust, and respect are like those birds that do not return after they fly away once.”

This quote means that you can trust someone only once; after you have been betrayed or let down, that trust vanishes forever.

5. Quotes About Love

Love is universal, and you’ll find a huge collection of love quotes in the Urdu language. Here are just a few of our favorites.

→ If you want to learn more bittersweet words on love and romance, visit our vocabulary lists of Urdu Quotes About Love and Urdu Breakup Quotes!

#17

مانگی ہوئی محبت کا مزہ بگڑی ہوئی شراب جیسا ہوتا ہے۔ (بانو قدسیہ) 

mangi hui mohabbat ka maza bigdhi hui sharaab jaisa hota hai. (Bano Qudsia)

“If you beg for love, it will taste like a spoiled wine.” (Bano Qudsia)

This Urdu quote on love is often used to admonish someone who is ready to start begging for love. It reminds that person of how distasteful such love is.

#18

ستاروں سے آگے جہاں اور بھی ہیں ابھی عشق کے امتحاں اور بھی ہیں (علامہ اقبال) 

sitaron se aagey jahan aur bhi hain abhi ishq ke imtihaan aur bhi hain. (Allama Iqbal)

“There are other worlds beyond the stars, and there are still more tests to go in love.” (Allama Iqbal)

Pakistanis often utter this couplet when they see a lover struggling in a romantic relationship.

#19

 زمین کے سفر میں اگر کوئی چیز آسمانی ہے تو وہ محبت ہے۔

zameen ke safar mei agar koi cheez aasmani hai to woh mohabbat hai.

“The only heavenly thing in this journey of earth is love.”

This quote touches on the heavenly nature of love and declares it to be something that doesn’t actually belong on earth.

#20

 عشق ایک مرض ہے اور جب تک طول نہ پکڑے، مرض نہیں ہوتا۔ محض ایک مذاق ہوتا ہے۔ (سعادت حسن منٹو)

ishq ek marz hai aur jab tak tool na pakdhe marz nahi hota. Mahaz ek mazaaq hota hai. (Saadat Hasan Manto)

“Love is a disease and if it is not protracted it is just a joke.” (Saadat Hasan Manto)

This phrase differentiates between temporary infatuation and the permanence of real love. It suggests that only long-term love is real.

#21

محبت لین دین نہیں محبت صرف دین ہے۔ (ممتاز مفتی) 

mohabbat lein dein nahi mohabbat sirf dein hai. (Mumtaz Mufti)

“Love is not give and take, it is only to give.” (Mumtaz Mufti)

Mumtaz Mufti was a highly celebrated Urdu novelist and short story writer. In this quote, he clarifies that love is not a deal that involves giving and taking, but rather one that calls for sacrifice.

6. Quotes About Family and Friends

Love of family and friends is an inseparable part of human nature. Let’s go over a few Urdu quotes on friendship and family to help you gain some cultural insight into how Pakistanis view these topics.

→ Also check out our vocabulary lists of the Top 10 Urdu Quotes About Friendship and the Top 10 Urdu Quotes About Family!

#22

 ہر اس دوست پر بھروسہ کرو جو مشکل میں تمھارے کام آیا ہو۔ (حضرت علی)

her uss dost par bharosa karo jo mushkil mei tumhare kaam aya ho. (Hazrat Ali)

“Trust every friend who helped you in hard times.” (Hazrat Ali)

Here’s another Islamic quote by Hazrat Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam. It guides us to trust a friend who remains helpful in difficult situations.

#23

 رشتے نبھانے کا ظرف نہ ہو تو رشتے بنانے سے پرہیز کریں۔

rishte nibhane ka zarf na ho to rishte banane se perhez karain.

“If you do not know how to maintain relationships, avoid making them.”

You can use this phrase when a person is unable to meet your expectations regarding the maintenance of your relationship.

#24

 تین رشتے تین وقتوں میں پہچانے جاتے ہیں۔ اولاد بڑھاپے میں، بیوی غربت میں، دوست مصیبت میں

teen rishte teen waqton mein pehchane jaate hain. Aulad budhapey mei, biwi ghurbat mei, dost musibat mein

“These three relations are tested three times. Children in your old age, wife in your poverty, and friends while you are in trouble.”

This quote emphasizes the need for caring children in old age, a cooperative wife in poverty, and a helpful friend in times of need.

#25

 اچھے لوگوں کا ملنا ہی اچھے مستقبل کی ضمانت ہے۔

ache logon ka milna hi ache mustaqbil ki zamanat hai.

“Meeting good people is the guarantee of a good future.”

This quote can be used as an Urdu greeting upon meeting someone for the first time, especially if you see this person being in your future.

#26

 کسی رشتے کو کتنی بھی محبت سے باندھا جائے لیکن اگر عزت اور لحاظ چلا جائے تو محبت بھی چلی جاتی ہے۔

kisi rishte ko kitni bhi mohabbat se bandha jaye lekin agar izzat aur lihaaz chala jaye to mohabbat bhi chali jati hai.

“It does not matter how much you love a relationship; if respect and forbearance departs, they take away the love with them.”

This Urdu quote highlights the importance of respect in maintaining a solid relationship.

#27

برے دوست سے بچو ایسا نہ ہو کہ وہ تمھارا تعارف بن جائے۔ (امام مالک)

burey dost say bacho aisa na ho ka woh tumhara taaruf ban jaaye. (Imam Malik)

“Avoid a bad friend lest he become your introduction.” (Imam Malik)

This is another Islamic quote from Imam Malik, asking us to refrain from being in the company of bad friends. It is nearly equivalent to the English adage, “A man is known by the company he keeps.”

7. Some Funny Quotes

To close, let’s digress from the serious business with some comic relief.

#28

 سمجھدار آدمی نظر ہمیشہ نیچی اور نیت خراب رکھتا ہے۔ (مشتاق احمد یوسفی)

samajhdar aadmi nazar hamesha neechi aur niyyat kharab rakhta hai. (Mushtaq Ahmad Yousafi)

“A wise man always keeps his eyes down and intentions bad.” (Mushtaq Ahmad Yousafi)

This quote is often used in reference to a person who pretends to be noble but, inwardly, is lecherous.

#29

محبت انسان کو اندھا کر دیتی ہے اور پھر شادی یہ بینائی لوٹاتی ہے۔ (ڈاکٹر محمد یونس بٹ) 

mohabbat insan ko andha kar deti hai aur phir shaadi yeh beenai lotathi hai. (Dr. Muhammd Younis Butt)

“Love makes a person blind, but his eyesight returns after marriage.” (Dr. Muhammd Younis Butt)

In Pakistan, many married men enjoy taunting their wives with this quote.

#30

خاوند کے لئے بیوی کو سمجھنا کوئی مشکل نہیں، بشرطیکہ وہ دوسرے کی ہو۔ (ڈاکٹر محمد یونس بٹ) 

khawand ke liye biwi ko samjhna koi mushkil nahi, bashart ye k woh doosre ki ho. (Dr. Muhammd Younis Butt)

“It is not difficult for a man to know a wife, but the only pre-condition is someone else’s wife.” (Dr. Muhammd Younis Butt)

Now it’s the married women’s turn! They often use this quote to make fun of their husbands who fail to understand their own wives, but claim to understand the miseries of other women.

8. Conclusion

In this article, you learned several Urdu quotes about love and life in a variety of categories and gained lots of cultural insight that will further benefit your language studies.

Do you feel better placed to choose and use any of these quotes? Or do you have questions about something we covered? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Make sure to visit UrduPod101.com frequently to improve your Urdu language skills and gain total mastery! We provide you with resources on Urdu vocabulary, Urdu grammar, popular Urdu phrases and sentences, and so much more. We are a huge source of Urdu learning materials, aiming to fulfill your needs and facilitate your success—all of this on just one platform!

Very Happy Urdu Learning!

You may have come across this well-known saying: “Communication works for those who work at it.”

Well, let us add a word—business—to the beginning of that saying. 

If you plan on doing business in an unfamiliar land, you must prepare yourself accordingly in order to enjoy tangible results. Failing to prepare yourself, on the other hand, can be detrimental to your business venture! 

With this in view, if you intend to set up a business in Pakistan or plan to visit the territory for the sake of a business commitment, you must learn some commonly used Urdu business phrases. Even a basic understanding of the business language of Pakistan can make your time there more productive.

In this article, UrduPod101.com will introduce you to some inevitable Urdu phrases for business that you can start practicing today.

Table of Contents

1. Choosing the Right Pronoun – آپ vs. تم
2. Greetings and Goodbyes
3. Nailing a Job Interview in Urdu
4. Interacting with Coworkers
5. Handling Business Phone Calls and Emails
6. Going on a Business Trip
7. Conclusion

1. Choosing the Right Pronoun – آپ vs. تم 

Before we go into detail about Urdu business phrases, there’s an important topic we need to cover. 

In the Urdu language, there are two words for the pronoun “you”: آپ (aap) and تم (tum). Now, the responsibility of choosing the right one rests on your shoulder. 

Which one you use depends on your level of intimacy with the other person. To address your interlocutor formally, you will use آپ (aap); once you become closer to and more familiar with that person, you can always use تم (tum).

2. Greetings and Goodbyes

Let’s start simple and learn the basic words and phrases you can use to greet and bid farewell in the Pakistani business sector. Whether you’re leaving after a business meeting or starting a conversation with a coworker, these three phrases will be invaluable to you.

السلامُ علیکم
assalam-o-alaikum
“Peace be upon you.”

This first phrase is the best way to start a business conversation, wherever you are in Pakistan. It can also serve as an acceptable way to close a meeting or conversation; however, we’ll give you another, more common closing phrase at the end of this section.

آپ سے مِل کر خوشی ہوئی۔
aap say mil kar khushi hui.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

After you’ve greeted someone with السلامُ علیکم (assalam-o-alaikum), you can add this sentence as a token of courtesy. Doing so will ensure that the meeting takes place in a friendly business atmosphere.

خدا حافظ
khuda hafiz
“May God be your protector.”

This phrase can always be used as an appropriate ending to your conversation. It’s almost as popular in Pakistani society as “goodbye” is in the West.

→ Practice your listening skills in our lesson Preparing for an Urdu Business Meeting, and pick up a couple of phrases while you’re at it.

3. Nailing a Job Interview in Urdu

One of the first things one must consider before doing business in Pakistan is how to land a job. 

The job interview is one of the most important steps in attaining work, acting as the gateway to the next level of your career. But here’s the catch: You need to leave a good impression on your interviewer. 

To do this, you must prepare. We recommend learning as many relevant business phrases as you can before the interview date. Being able to conduct at least part of the interview in Urdu will show your interviewer that you’re serious about wanting the job, and that you’re a willing learner.

Below are some common questions and answers during a job interview. They may seem difficult to navigate at first, but with enough practice, they’ll bring you miraculous results.

→ Learn how to describe your interests and goals in our lesson A Pakistani Job Interview.
→ Do you need help with your resume? Please see our vocabulary list of Words and Phrases for Writing Your Resume to get some inspiration.

A- Education

Most employers are curious about candidates’ level of education, and may ask questions about where you went to school and what you studied. Following are some questions you can expect to hear, and possible answers to them. 

→ Do you need to brush up on the relevant vocabulary? Here’s some Essential Vocabulary for Talking About Education.

Questions

آپ کی تعلیمی قابلیت کیا ہے؟
aap ki taleemi qabliyat kia hai?
“What is your qualification?”

کیا آپ مجھے اپنی تعلیم کے بارے میں بتائیں گے؟
kia aap mujhay apni taleem kay baray mein bataein gay?
“Will you tell me about your qualifications?”

آپ نے کون کون سی ڈگریاں حاصل کر رکھی ہیں؟
aap nay kon kon si digrian hasil kar rakhi hain?
“Which degrees have you achieved?”

Answers

میرے پاس کامرس کی ڈگری ہے۔
meray pass commerce ki degree hai.
“I have a degree in Commerce.”

میں نے بزنس ایدمینسٹریشن پڑھی ہے۔
mei nay business administration parhi hai.
“I have studied business administration.”

B- Professional Experience

In some professions, employers care even more about your professional experience than your education. Be prepared to discuss this aspect of your career with the interviewer.

→ Please study our list of 20 Common Words for Professions so you can describe your work experience with ease.

Questions

آپ کا پیشہ وارانہ تجربہ کیا ہے؟
aap ka peshawarana tajarba kia hai?
“What is your professional experience?”

کیا آپ مجھے اپنی گذشتہ ملازمتوں کے متعلق بتا سکتے ہیں؟
kia aap mujhe apni guzishta malazmaton kay mutaliq bata saktay hain?
“Can you tell me about your previous jobs?”

Answers

میں نے نیشنل بینک میں چھ سال کام کیا ہے۔
mei nay national bank mei chay saal kam kia hai.
“I have worked at the National Bank for six years.”

میں مائیکرو سوفٹ کمپنی میں پانچ سال سے کام کر رہا/رہی ہوں۔
mei Microsoft company mein panch saal say kam kar raha/rahi hun.
“I have been working for Microsoft for five years.”

Remember that if you’re answering these questions as a male, use رہا ہوں (raha hun); if you’re answering as a female, use رہی ہوں (rahi hun).

C- The Languages You Speak

Especially when you’re interviewing for a job in a foreign country, the interviewer will likely want to know which languages you speak. 

→ Are you unsure what the name of a certain language is in Urdu? See our list of the Top 38 Languages Spoken in the World.

Questions

آپ کتنی زبانیں بول سکتے ہیں؟
aap kitni zubane bol saktay hain?
“How many languages can you speak?”

آپ کو کتنی زبانوں پر عبور حاصل ہے؟
aap ko kitni zubano per aboor hasil hai?
“How many languages are you adept at?”

Answers

میں انگریزی اور اردو فراوانی سے بول سکتا/سکتی ہوں۔
mei angrezi aur urdu farawani say bol sakta/sakti hun.
“I can speak English and Urdu fluently.”

In this case, if you’re answering as a male, use سکتا ہوں (sakta hun); if you’re answering as a female, use سکتی ہوں (sakti hun).

مجھے جاپانی اور اردو پر عبور حاصل ہے۔
mujhe japani aur urdu par aboor hasil hai.
“I am adept at Japanese and Urdu.”

D- How to Ask an Interviewer to Repeat a Question

If you couldn’t hear or were unable to understand a question your interviewer asked, you could use the following expressions to have them repeat what they said.

معاف کیجیے گا، میں آپ کی بات سن نہیں پایا۔
muaf kijiye ga, mei aap ki baat sun nahi paya.
“I am sorry, I could not hear you.”

کیا آپ اپنا سوال دوہرا سکتے ہیں؟
kia aap apna sawal dohra saktay hain?
“I beg your pardon?”

معذرت کے ساتھ، میں آپ کی بات سمجھ نہیں پایا۔
maazrat kay sath, mei aap ki baat samajh nahi paya.
“With a due apology, I could not understand you.”

4. Interacting with Coworkers

Interaction with coworkers is a significant aspect of doing good business, and in Pakistan, communicating with confidence will place you at a vantage point. Below are a few expressions for interacting with your coworkers in the Urdu language.

A- How to Ask for Help

Here are some phrases you can use to ask your colleagues for help with something:

کیا آپ میری مدد کر سکتے ہیں؟
kia aap meri madad kar saktay hain?
“Can you help me?”

کیا آپ اس کی وضاحت کریں گے؟
kia aap iis ki wazahat karain gay?
“Will you explain it?”

میں اس دستاویز کو سمجھ نہیں پایا۔
mei is dastawaiz ko samajh nahi paya.
“I could not comprehend this document.”

کیا آپ اس سسٹم کو چلانا جانتے ہیں؟
kia aap is system ko chalana jantay hain.
“Do you know how to run this system?”

B- How to Thank or Congratulate Your Coworkers

When your partner does a great job on a project or a colleague gives you a hand with something, it’s always polite to congratulate or thank them. 

آپ کی مدد کا شکریہ۔
aap ki madad ka shukriya.
“Thank you for your help.”

میں آپ کا احسان مند ہوں۔
mei aap ka ahsan mand hun.
“I am thankful to you.”

بہت خوب۔
bohat khoob.
“Well done.”

C- How to Apologize

In the business world, there are some situations that require an honest apology. If you find yourself in such a situation, use the following Urdu phrases to apologize without compromising your dignity.

→ Don’t forget that you can find more apology phrases in our lesson Apologies in Urdu.

میں معذرت چاہتا ہوں۔
mei mazrat chahta hun.
“I apologize.”

میں معافی چاہتا ہوں۔
mei mafi chahta hun.
“I am sorry.”

معاف کیجئے گا، میں آپ کی مدد نہیں کر پایا۔
maaf kijiye ga, mei aap ki madad nahi kar paya.
“I am sorry, I could not help you.”

D- How to Give Your Opinions or Suggestions

There are certainly benefits in being able to communicate your opinions and suggestions in a business meeting. In addition to making your voice heard, doing so may pave new paths for your professional development and growth. Below is some useful Urdu for business meetings.

یہ کام انسانی وسائل کے شعبے کا ہے۔
yeh kam insani wasayal kay shobay ka hai.
“This job belongs to the human resources department.”

ہم اسے کسی تیسرے فریق سے کروا سکتے ہیں۔
hum isay kisi teesray fareeq say karwa saktay hain.
“We can get it done by a third party.”

یہ سودا ہمارے ادارے کو نقصان پہنچا سکتا ہے۔
yeh soda hamaray idaray ko nuqsan pohancha sakta hai.
“This deal may cause a loss to our organization.”

E- How to Express Your Concern

In business meetings, it’s crucial that you can express your concerns or reservations. Doing so can add another plume in your career and open new avenues of success for you.

اس کام کے لئے مقررہ وقت بہت کم ہے۔
iss kam kay liye muqar-ra waqt bohat kam hai.
“The time specified for this task is too short.”

ہمارے پاس اتنا بجٹ نہیں ہے۔
hamaray pas itna budget nahi hai.
“We do not have this much budget.”

یہ کام اتنے وقت میں نہیں کیا جا سکتا۔
yeh kaam itnay waqt mei nahi kia ja sakta.
“This job can’t be completed in the given time.”

مجھے اس کام میں مہارت حاصل نہیں ہے۔
mujhe iss kam mei maharat hasil nahi hai.
“I am not skillful in this job.”

اس کام کے لئے بہت زیادہ وسائل درکار ہیں۔
iss kam kay liye bohat zayada wasail darkar hain.
“This job requires too many resources.”

5. Handling Business Phone Calls and Emails

Depending on where you work, business communication in the Urdu language may be part and parcel of your position. In case you need to make business phone calls or manage emails, the following phrases will be useful for you.

A- Business Phone Calls

کیا میں مینیجر صاحب سے بات کر سکتا/سکتی ہوں؟
kia mei manager sahib say baat kar sakta/sakti hun?
“Can I speak to the manager?”

کیا سجاد صاحب سے میری بات ہو سکتی ہے؟
kia Sajjad sahib say meri baat ho sakti hai?
“Can I talk to Mr. Sajjad?”

میں حسین صاحب سے بات کرنے کی کوشش کر رہا ہوں۔
mei Hussain sahib say baat karnay ki koshish kar raha hun.
“I am trying to reach Mr. Hussain.”

کیا آپ رجسٹرار صاحب سے میری بات کروا سکتے ہیں؟
kia aap registrar sahib say meri baat karwa saktay hain?
“Can you connect me to the Registrar?”

How to Reply

میرے ساتھ رہئے گا۔
meray saath rahiye ga.
“Stay with me.”

میں ابھی آپ کی بات کروا دیتا/دیتی ہوں۔
mei abhi aap ki baat karwa deta/deti hun.
“I will connect you right now.”

مہربانی فرما کر مجھے پیغام دے دیں، میں ان تک پہنچا دوں گا/گی۔
meharbani farma kar mujhe pegham de dain, mei un tak pohancha dun ga / gi.
“Please leave the message, I’ll convey it to him.”

کیا آپ تھوڑی دیر بعد کال کر سکتے ہیں؟
kia aap thori der baad call kar saktay hain?
“Can you call back in a short while?”

B- Emails and Letters

It’s no secret that the era of letter writing has passed and been superseded by electronic mail, particularly in the business sector. Of course, there are still certain situations that call for a traditional business letter, though you’ll find yourself using email far more often as an employee in Pakistan. 

Whether you’re writing an official email or a business letter, always remember to include the following components.

Personal Information (Name, Address, Contact Number, Email) of Sender and Receiver

When you’re sending the initial email, first type your own information. This includes:

• Your name
• Your business address
• A valid contact number
• Your email address

Next, include the details of the receiver. Besides the aforementioned information, try to include that person’s job title.

Below are some Urdu words that are often used in business correspondence:

نام
naam
“Name”

پتہ
pata
“Address”

رابطہ نمبر
rabta number
“Contact number”

ای میل
email
“Email”

عہدہ
uhda
“Designation”

Subject

Don’t forget to include an apt subject for your letter or email to let the receiver know its nature.

عنوان
unwan
“Subject”

Salutations

Let’s have a look at a couple of widely used Urdu salutations:

جناب
janab
“Sir”

محترم
mohtram
“Respected”

Closure

Close your letter or email by using words that express your respect or affection.

آپ کا مخلص
aap ka mukhlis
“Yours sincerely”

آپ کا خیر خواہ
aap ka khair khwah
“Your well-wisher”

6. Going on a Business Trip

Many employees of successful business enterprises must travel frequently to meet with clients. If you’re traveling to Pakistan, we recommend that you memorize a few practical Urdu sentences to avoid any inconveniences.

A- How to Book a Hotel and Purchase Tickets

To book a room in a hotel or get a ticket reserved, take advantage of the following expressions.

کیا مجھے آپ کے ہوٹل میں دو دن کے لئے ایک کمرہ مل سکتا ہے؟
kia mujhe aap kay hotel mei do din kay liye aik kamrah mil sakta hai?
“Can I have a room for two days at your hotel?”

کیا مجھے لاہور سے کراچی کی دو ٹکٹیں مل سکتی ہیں؟
kia mujhe Lahore say Karachi ki do ticketain mil sakti hain?
“Can I have two tickets from Lahore to Karachi?”

B- How to Thank a Partner or Client

Showing politeness and gratitude toward your business partner and other associates can take your business relationship to the next level. Here are some phrases you can use to thank them.

میں آپ کی میزبانی کا گرویدہ ہو گیا ہوں۔
mei aap ki mezbani ka garwidah ho gaya hun.
“I have been completely enamored with your hospitality.”

آپ کی میزبانی کا بہت شکریہ۔
aap ki mezbani ka bohat shukriya.
“Thank you for your hospitality.”

میں آپ کی میزبانی کبھی بھی نہ بھلا سکوں گا۔
mei aap ki mezbani kabhi bhi na bhula saku ga.
“I will never be able to forget your hospitality.”

→ Please see our lesson on Saying Thanks and our list of Common Ways to Say Thank You for even more useful phrases.

7. Conclusion

In this article, UrduPod101.com introduced you to the basic Urdu business phrases you need to do business in Pakistan, and other useful vocabulary.

Now, are you prepared to surprise your Pakistani business partners? If yes, best of luck! On the other hand, if you have any queries or questions, do write to us; we’ll respond at the earliest.

If you’re serious about mastering Urdu, but haven’t found a good fit for you, keep exploring UrduPod101.com. We are a great repository of Urdu language learning materials and provide an outside-the-classroom feeling. We guarantee you’ll feel the difference.

Very Happy Urdu Learning!

Nobody can deny the significance of YouTube in today’s era of digitalization. 

But did you know that this video-streaming platform can also have a significant impact on your language learning? By supplementing your normal studies with a healthy dose of videos, you can improve your Urdu on YouTube while having fun.

That said, watching Urdu YouTube videos may or may not be the best learning approach for you. Every learner is different, and how effective this strategy is for you depends on a couple of factors:

• How many hours you spend on YouTube. Don’t watch just to kill time; be systematic and attentive for the best results.
• The quality of the channels you’re watching. Not all Urdu language YouTube channels are equal in terms of the value they offer learners. It’s important to look for the ones that will benefit you the most as both a learner and a viewer. 

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the ten best Urdu YouTube channels to learn Urdu. These are channels that will surely help you practice and validate all of the Urdu language skills that you’ve attained so far while learning with UrduPod101.com. 

Not only will these YouTube channels entertain you through top-quality Urdu content, but they’ll also provide you with an opportunity to explore some new avenues of the Pakistani culture, nation, society, politics, literature, and so on. We’ve also made sure to include channels in a variety of categories, so that you’ll definitely find something that piques your interest. 

Here we go.

Table of Contents

1. UrduPod101 YouTube Channel
2. BBC Urdu Radio
3. Urdu Fairy Tales
4. Urdu Kids
5. GupShup With Aftab Iqbal
6. Naush Kitchen Routine Channel
7. Infomatic
8. Urdu Diary
9. Knowledge Factory
10. Urdu 1 Official
11. Urdu Time
12. Conclusion

1. UrduPod101 YouTube Channel 

The UrduPod101 YouTube channel is the best available option on YouTube for those learning the language. It surpasses all the other channels, replete with top-notch learning content to improve your language skills in every area. It provides comprehensive guides on Urdu grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening comprehension, and more.

Once you’ve obtained some basic knowledge from our channel, you’ll be more confident to embark on a journey to other, complementary resources. To get you started in the right direction, we’ve hand-picked ten Urdu YouTube channels in a variety of categories, from politics to drama to gastronomy. Here they are:

2. BBC Urdu Radio

Category: News and Politics

Level: Intermediate and Advanced

The BBC Urdu Radio YouTube channel is one of the most reliable news sources in the Urdu language. As an Urdu learner, you’ll find it to be a valuable hub of authentic Urdu news, comprehensive analyses, and listening comprehension practice. This channel is famous for its anchors’ and presenters’ accurate pronunciation, as well as for its high journalistic standards. New videos are uploaded almost every day, so you won’t run out of interesting things to watch.

We highly recommend this Urdu YouTube channel for anyone looking to polish their Urdu language skills, but especially for those who like to keep up to date on news and politics. 

(BBC Urdu Radio News Update on March 14, 2020)

3. Urdu Fairy Tales

Category: Film and Animation

Level: Beginner and Intermediate

Recent pedagogical developments very rightly emphasize the importance of storytelling in the cognitive and linguistic development of children. In fact, these benefits can also be carried over to adults who are trying to learn a second language.

On YouTube, Urdu Fairy Tales is a rich resource of fairy and folk tales that will help you—or your child—learn the nuances of Urdu without the nuisance of thick textbooks or long study hours. 

The channel boasts a wide collection of fairy tales, folk tales, and anecdotes, presented in the Urdu language. Its content is both interesting and morally educating. You’ll find a refined blend of Urdu slang and literary diction, especially designed for children of all age groups.

→ Do you enjoy a good story? Check out our vocabulary list for Talking About Books, and start learning how to discuss your favorite ones with your Urdu-speaking friends!

4.  Urdu Kids

Category: Education

Level: Beginner

On this particular Urdu YouTube channel, you may enjoy a great collection of Urdu content specifically prepared and presented for kids. Its content list includes popular Urdu children’s poems, rhymes, and cartoon series in Urdu. Each video consists of basic concepts for children, using simple language.

This channel is great for children and adults alike who want to start learning Urdu in a simplified manner, outside of the traditional classroom setting. 

(The Narration of the Story of Hare and Tortoise)

5. GupShup With Aftab Iqbal

Category: Information / Entertainment

Level: Everyone

GWAI (Gupshup With Aftab Iqbal) is the official channel of Pakistani trendsetter and anchorperson Aftab Iqbal. Aftab is famous not only for his role as an anchorperson, but because of his innovative move of bringing theatre actors and theatrical devices onto the television screen. 

This channel offers viewers exclusive glimpses into the lives of him and his comic team. While you may watch him on certain TV channels in his capacity as an anchorperson, this channel will unfold some never-seen-before aspects of his personal and professional life. 

He covers a diverse range of topics on his YouTube channel, from current affairs and history to sports. He also includes a full-fledged section on the pronunciation and use of different words in the Urdu language. This combination of elements will bring you loads of entertainment and information!

→ Before watching, why not brush up on the Top Five Things You Need to Know About Pakistani Society?

(A Scene of Mini-Theatre being staged by the team of Aftab Iqbal)

6.  Naush Kitchen Routine Channel

Category: Food / Recipe / Cuisine

Level: Intermediate

Nausheen Shahzad—a Pakistani vlogger and YouTuber—runs this food and recipe channel, with a huge followership. She caters to the tastes of her followers by narrating the recipes of Desi cuisine (and other cuisines) in the Urdu language. She also shares tips and tricks on how to simplify intricate recipes.

By watching her channel, you’ll not only become acquainted with some of the culturally popular Pakistani foods, but you’ll also learn the names of different spices and kitchen items. For this reason, we definitely consider it one of the best Urdu YouTube channels to supplement your studies (especially if you happen to be a foodie or chef at heart!). 

→ Get a head start on your kitchen lingo with our vocabulary lists for Food Utensils & Tableware, Cooking, and Herbs & Spices.

(A Special Video prepared with Regards to the Arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan 2020)

7.  Infomatic

Category: Documentary / People & Blog

Level: Intermediate / Advanced

This YouTube channel is a big repository of documentaries on multiple topics that have to do with Pakistan. It aims at disclosing untold stories to its viewers, and does so with a distinctive narrative style. Tune in to hear in-depth explanations concerning Islam, politics, Pakistan, showbiz, international affairs, and more.

Its distinctive way of Urdu narration will allow you to more easily learn and analyze some unique Urdu words, phrases, and sentences. Additionally, you’ll be empowered to develop your acumen for how to incorporate such Urdu expressions into your own conversations.

(The Waving Flag of Pakistan being Shown in a Video on Infomatic)

8.  Urdu Diary

Category: History / Education

Level: Intermediate / Advanced

The Urdu Diary YouTube channel claims to be the biggest Pakistani history channel in Urdu. It presents true incidents with authenticated references, throws light on the strange facts about ancient civilizations, and unveils the underlying realities of fictional narratives. Furthermore, this channel is a vast resource of life-changing Islamic anecdotes, as well as the facts and figures about wars (both old and new).

Through following this channel, you’ll come to know several strange and unbelievable facts in the Urdu language. In particular, the stories about kings and generals will present you with some new and exciting Urdu vocabulary.

(A Glimpse from the Video of the Trailer of the YouTube channel Urdu Diary)

9.  Knowledge Factory

Category: Education

Level: Advanced

With over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, this channel stands among the leading Pakistani YouTube channels. Knowledge Factory gives a kaleidoscopic view of general history, Islamic history, science and technology, and features documentaries on different domains of knowledge. A unique facet of this channel is that it’s interactive; it welcomes questions from viewers, and answers them right there on the channel.

As a student of the Urdu language and Pakistani culture, you’ll find this channel quite helpful. Not only will you pick up some useful vocabulary and hone your language skills, but you’ll also collect insightful information on Islam’s history and status in modern times. Visiting this channel frequently ensures that you’ll gain a great understanding of Islam and the contemporary Muslim world in easy-to-understand Urdu.

→ You might find it helpful to study up on your Religion vocabulary before watching.

(An image from the Video of Knowledge Factory about the History of Pakistani and Turk Flags)

10.  Urdu 1 Official

Category: Entertainment

Level: Intermediate / Advanced

Urdu 1 Official is a Dubai-based YouTube channel that panders to the aesthetic pleasure of Urdu speakers all over the world, providing prime quality content to its viewers and raising the standards of Urdu entertainment. It’s also among the pioneers of dubbing entertainment content into Urdu, and has thus widely contributed to the revival of the Pakistani Urdu drama.

Since it promises to bring dubbed drama serials from other cultures along with those from Pakistan, it has revolutionized Urdu entertainment on YouTube by adding new flavors to the existing indigeneity. 

→ Are you into Urdu dramas? See our blog post on the Top 10 Urdu TV Shows and Drama Series!

(An Image from the Official Trailer of Urdu 1)

11.  Urdu Time

Category: Education

Level: Everyone

Urdu Time pleases its viewers with Urdu content from different walks of life. It presents famous Urdu quotes, popular Urdu poetry, general knowledge videos, moral stories, current affairs, riddles, and much more.

This channel deserves to be on our list of the best Urdu YouTube channels for its beautiful compilations of poetry from some very seasoned Urdu poets, and its collections of tricky and interesting Urdu riddles. 

Exposure to such an Urdu YouTube channel will undoubtedly benefit you with a stronger grip on the Urdu language. Who knows? You may even be able to impress your Urdu-speaking friends with a few lines of succulent poetry…

→ You know what might help you make the most of your channel visit? A basic understanding of the Essential Idioms That Will Make You Sound Like a Native Speaker!

(An Image from the Video of the Urdu Time Channel Containing Jaun Elia’s Urdu Poetry)

12. Conclusion

In this article, we’ve guided you on the best Urdu YouTube channels for practicing everything you’ve learned on UrduPod101.com. 

Each channel we listed is a great source of supplementary learning material based on a specific category. This means that if you’re looking to learn Urdu related to a certain topic, you can easily find the best YouTube channel to help you meet those goals. That said, the UrduPod101 YouTube channel is the ultimate source for learning about the Urdu language and culture, so we recommend using us as a starting point.

Which of these YouTube channels are you most excited to watch, and why? Let us know in the comments, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Until next time, we hope you’ll continue to explore UrduPod101.com for a fruitful and interesting learning experience.

Very Happy Urdu Learning!

“Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.“ – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If you’ve been keeping up with our blog, you’ve already studied How to Say Hello in Urdu and How to Introduce Yourself in Urdu. That’s a great place to start! But there’s one more thing you need to start having smooth interactions with native speakers: a good understanding of how to say goodbye in Urdu. 

In every culture, there are several different ways to say goodbye to someone depending on the context. Knowing which words and phrases are most appropriate for a given situation is crucial in effective communication, and doing so will make your speech more fluent. 

While learning how to say goodbye in Urdu, keep in mind that in Pakistan, people respect and appreciate the strong emotions that may come when parting ways. If you’ve made a good friend during your trip, don’t be afraid to express that you’ll really miss them when you leave; on the other hand, though, you shouldn’t be too melodramatic about your departure.

In this article, UrduPod101.com will teach you how to say goodbye in Urdu like a native, in both formal and casual situations. Let’s get started! Start with a bonus, and download the Must-Know Beginner Vocabulary PDF for FREE!(Logged-In Member Only)

Table of Contents

1. The Most Common Urdu Goodbye Phrases – Take Your Pick!
2. Saying Goodbye in Casual Situations
3. Good ___.
4. See you ___!
5. Sentimental Farewells
6. Saying Goodbye in a Hurry
7. Keep in Touch
8. Saying Goodbye Over the Phone or Via Text
9. Just a Few More…
10. Pakistani Culture: Gestures for Saying Goodbye
11. Conclusion

1. The Most Common Urdu Goodbye Phrases – Take Your Pick! 

Are you worried that you’ll use the wrong phrase when it comes time to say goodbye in the Urdu language? If so, we have good news. You can simply opt for any of the following Urdu expressions:

•  اللہ حافظ (Allah Hafiz) – “May God Protect”
•  اسلامُ علیکُم (Assalam-o-Alaikum) – “Peace be upon you”
• الوداع (alwida) – “adieu” / “goodbye”

Each of these phrases is versatile in that you can use them in any context, whether you’re leaving an office meeting or a bonfire party with friends. 

Here’s an example of how to use that last Urdu word for goodbye in a sentence:

• الوداع، اپنا خیال رکھئے گا۔ (alwida, apna khayal rakhiye ga.) – “Goodbye, take care of yourself.”

Remember that اپنا خیال رکھئے گا (apna khayal rakhiye ga), meaning “take care of yourself,” is always a good expression to use in tandem with other goodbye phrases in Urdu.

2. Saying Goodbye in Casual Situations

Now that you’ve learned a few generic phrases, let’s look at how to say goodbye in more casual situations. These are phrases that you would use to wish your close friends or family members well upon leaving. We’ll cover everything from slang expressions to terms of affection! Note that many of these phrases are gender-specific, meaning that you’ll say them differently depending on your gender; we’ve marked these with [brackets]. 

• اللہ کے حوالے (Allah kay hawalay) – “Entrusted to God”

• میں جا رہا ہوں.۔ (mei ja raha hun.) – “I am leaving.” [if you’re a man]
• میں جا رہی ہوں۔ (mei ja rahi hun.) – “I am leaving.” [if you’re a woman]

• چلتا ہوں (chalta hun) – “I beg to leave.” [if you’re a man]
• چلتی ہوں (chalti hun) – I beg to leave.” [if you’re a woman]

• لیجیے،میں نِکلتا ہوں۔ (lijiye, mei nikalta hun) – “I must leave now.” [if you’re a man]
• لیجیے،میں نِکلتی ہوں۔ (lijiye, mei nikalti hun) – “I must leave now.” [if you’re a woman]

• خدا حافظ (khuda hafiz) – “May God protect you.”

• تو ٹھیک ہے،میں چلوں؟ (to theek hai, mei chaloon?) – “Alright, should I leave?”

You probably noticed that some of these phrases sound a bit odd when translated. This is because they’re idiomatic expressions used in Urdu that don’t really translate well. Once you get used to them, though, using them in your conversations will make your speech sound more natural. 

3. Good ___. 

When parting ways in Urdu, it’s customary to wish the other person well as this is a symbol of concern and care. Natives will always take kindly to your gesture of saying goodbye with good wishes. 

• صبح بخیر (subha bakhair) – “Good morning.”
• شب بخیر (shab bakhair) – “Goodnight.”
• شام بخیر (shaam bakhair) – “Good evening.”
• دعا ہے کہ آپ کا ٓــــــــــــ اچھا گذرے (du hai ka aap ka _____ acha guzray.) – “I pray you have a good ______.”

In that last phrase, you may fill in the blank with any word that suits the situation. For example, you can choose a time-related word:

• دن (din) – “day”
•  ہفتہ (hafta) – “week”
• مہینہ (mahina) – “month”
•  سال (saal) – “year”
•  وقت (waqt) – “time”

4. See you ___! 

The English phrase “see you” can be translated as ملتے ہیں (milty hain) in Urdu. 

Using this structure allows you to express your hope of meeting someone again, and can even make a departure less painful. 

• بعد میں مِلتے ہیں۔ (baad mein milte hain.) – “See you later.”
• پھر مِلتے ہیں۔ (phir milte hain.) – “See you again.”
• تھوڑی دیر میں مِلتے ہیں۔ (thodi der main milte hain.) – “See you in a short while.”
• اگلی دفعہ ملتے ہیں۔ (agli dafa milte hain.) – “See you next time.”
• پھر کبھی ملتے ہیں۔ (phir kabhi milte hain.) – “See you some other time.”
• ــــــ کو ملتے ہیں۔ (______ ko milte hain.) – “See you on _______.”

For that last phrase, you simply fill in the blank with a specific day of the week or a date. If you want to specify a particular time, you may use the following sentence pattern, filling in the blank with the exact time. 

• ــــــ بجے ملتے ہیں۔ (______ bajay milte hai.) – “See you at ______.”

5. Sentimental Farewells

Have you made a lifelong friend, and you’re hesitant to finally part ways? Wish them a sentimental farewell with one of these phrases, and warm their heart! 

• میری نیک تمنائیں آپ کے ساتھ ہیں۔ (meri naik tamannayain aap kay sath hain.) – “My good wishes are with you.”
• آپ کے نصیب اچھے ہوں۔ (aap kay naseeb achay hon.) – “May you have good luck.”
• دعاؤں کے ساتھ رخصت کرتا/کرتی ہوں۔ (duaon kay sarh rukhsat karta/karti hun.) – “I say farewell with prayers.”

Always remember to use کرتا ہوں (karta hun) for males and کرتی ہوں (karti hun) for females in your conversations.

• دعاؤں میں یاد رکھئے گا۔ (duaon mein yaad rakhiya ga.) – “Remember me in your prayers.”
• آپ یاد آؤ گے/گی۔ (aap yaad aao gay/gi.) – “I will miss you.”

In that last sentence, you must remember to use the correct gender case. For the masculine case, you’ll use آؤ گے (aao gay); for the feminine case, you’ll use آؤ گی (aao gi). 

6. Saying Goodbye in a Hurry

When you’re running short on time and can’t afford to ask for formal permission to leave, you can always go against convention and get out of the situation at once. Here are some Urdu goodbye phrases you can use for this purpose:

• مجھے جانا ہے۔ (mujhe jana hai.) – “I have to go.”
• میں جلدی میں ہوں۔ (mei jaldi mei hun.) – “I am in a hurry.”
• ضروری کام آن پڑا ہے۔ (zaroori kaam aan parha hai.) – “It’s very urgent.”
• اجازت چاہتا/چاہتی ہوں۔ (ijazat chahta/chahti hun.) – “I ask for your permission.”

Once again, be mindful and use the correct gender case. To be precise: for the masculine case, use اجازت چاہتا ہوں (ijazat chahta hun); for the feminine case, go with اجازت چاہتی ہوں (ijazat chahti hun).

7. Keep in Touch

No doubt, courtesy demands that you show your care for the other person when saying goodbye, and let them know you’d like to see them again. Here are some different ways to say goodbye in the Urdu language, without saying goodbye forever. 

• رابطے میں رہیے گا۔ (rabte mei rahiye ga.) – “Stay in touch.”
• آپ کا انتظار رہے گا۔ (aap ka intezar rahe ga.) – “We’ll be waiting.”
• میں آپ کے ـــــــــ کا منتظر رہوں گا/گی۔ (mei aap ke ____ ka muntazir rahun ga/gi.) – “I will be waiting for your _____.”

To fill in the blank space, you can mention anything that you’re going to be waiting for (such as an email, letter, message, or call). Remember that if the speaker is a man, he will say رہوں گا (rahun ga); if the speaker is female, she will say رہوں گی (rahun gi).

8. Saying Goodbye Over the Phone or Via Text 

To prepare you for phone call and text message goodbyes, let’s go through the following Urdu sentences and phrases.

• پھر بات ہوتی ہے۔ (phir baat hoti hai.) – “Talk to you later.”
• پانچ منٹ بعد بات کرتے ہیں۔ (panch minute baad baat karte hain.) – “Talk to you in five minutes.”
• اجازت دیں۔ (ijazat dain.) – “Allow me to leave.”
• رخصت چاہتا/چاہتی ہوں۔ (rukhsat chahta/chahti hun.) – “Let me leave now.”

As the quick learner you are, you probably know what I’m going to say next: For the masculine gender, you’ll use چاہتا ہوں (chahta hun), and for the female gender, you’ll opt for چاہتی ہوں (chahti hun).

 Here’s one more phrase:

• جلد بات ہوتی ہے۔ (jald baat hoti hai.) – “Talk to you soon.”

9. Just a Few More…

All of the phrases we covered above are great for everyday use. But there are a few more you should know to make your Urdu speech sound even more natural! 

• آپ جا سکتے/سکتی ہیں۔ (aap ja sakte hain.) – “You can go.”
• دروازہ کھلا ہے۔ (darwaza khula hai.) – “The door is open.”
• ہم آپ کو نہیں روکیں گے۔ (hum aap ko nahi rokain gay.) – “We will not stop you.”
• آپ کے آنے کا شکریہ۔ (aap kay aney ka shukriya.) – “Thank you for coming.”
• آپ کے تعاون کا شکریہ (aap ke taawun ka shukriya.) – “Thank you for (your) cooperation.”

10. Pakistani Culture: Gestures for Saying Goodbye 

Language and culture are intertwined. As a non-native Urdu-speaker, you have the additional burden of becoming acquainted with the Pakistani cultural nuances, as well as the language itself. So in addition to learning the common expressions in this article, you must learn the culture-specific gestures that go with them! 

We won’t go too much into detail here, but there are a few things you should keep in mind: 

• Handshakes: Handshakes are acceptable, though only between people of the same sex. 
• Hugs: Like handshakes, hugs are generally acceptable, but only between people of the same sex.
• Kisses: In some cultures, it’s normal to blow a kiss to someone, or even kiss them on the cheek, upon leaving. But this is not the case in Pakistan; you should avoid kisses altogether, as such a touch can be mistaken as an unwarranted sexual advancement.  

11. Conclusion

In this article, we’ve covered everything you need to know about saying goodbye in Urdu. After learning these basic vocabulary words, sentence patterns, and cultural insights, you should have a much better idea of what to expect when parting ways in Pakistan. 

Do you feel ready to say goodbye in the Urdu language? Or do you still have a question about something? Let us know in the comments, and we’ll be glad to help! 

In the meantime, keep exploring UrduPod101.com. We are a rich repository of Urdu learning resources, and we aim to provide you with the information and support you need to achieve your goals. If you’re not sure where to start, we have some free vocabulary lists and an Urdu-English dictionary to check out! 

Very Happy Urdu Learning! 

Some people say that Urdu is easy to learn, while others claim that Urdu is difficult. 

Who are these people, and why should you believe them? Is it hard to learn Urdu, or easy? 

Ask yourself these fundamental questions, and you may discover that the answers aren’t so straightforward. 

At this stage, say goodbye to assumptions and taking others at their word. Instead, figure out the answers to these questions yourself as you begin your Urdu language-learning journey. It’s very likely that you’ll find some aspects of the language quite difficult and others much easier—this is normal when you start learning a language. 

Due to its completely different writing script, Urdu tends to be a struggle for native English-speakers and Europeans, especially when they first start learning. Conversely, Arabic and Persian natives will find Urdu much easier to master. This is because the Urdu language contains a handful of words from these two languages, as well as Punjabi, Pashto, Turkish, Sindhi, Sanskrit, etc. This particularity of the Urdu language provides speakers of these other languages with a fairly easy Urdu-learning experience. 

That said, is Urdu worth learning? And if so, why?

Urdu is a rapidly growing language. The total number of Urdu-speakers across the globe exceeds 170 million, and Urdu is also the official language of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The constitution of India also recognizes it as one of the country’s twenty-two official languages. So if you plan on visiting these countries, doing business there, or even relocating, you should absolutely learn Urdu! 

In this article, we’ll guide you through the easy and hard tracks of the Urdu language. We anticipate that after reading this article, you’ll be better placed to accept the truth that Urdu is the language of civilized and courteous people, and anyone can master it with enough practice and dedication.

Table of Contents

1. What is the Hardest—and Easiest—Part of Learning Urdu?
2. I Want to Learn Urdu. Where Should I Start?
3. Advice for New Learners
4. Why is UrduPod101.com Great for Learning Urdu?
5. Conclusion

1. What is the Hardest—and Easiest—Part of Learning Urdu?

You can’t learn any language until you overcome its challenges. In this section, we’ll unfold some of the hardest and easiest parts of Urdu language-learning for you.

A- Why Urdu is Easy

When you set out to learn Urdu, you’re going to hear a lot of false myths and misconceptions concerning the language’s difficulty. Well, we’re here to let you know that Urdu isn’t that hard. At least, not all of it. Following is a list of things about Urdu that make it surprisingly easy for foreigners to learn.

1.  لشکری زبان

Although historians of the Urdu language are divided on its origin and its label as a لشکری زبان (lashkri zuban) camp language, it’s clear that Urdu uses an abundance of words from other languages. Some critics say that Urdu possesses this rich abundance of words because the language came into being as a shared language for soldiers of different ethnicities in a common war camp. Irrespective of this belief’s authenticity, it emphasizes the fact that non-natives were able to pick up the language easily due to shared vocabulary.

2. Similarities with other languages

If you’re familiar with Oriental languages—such as Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, Balochi, or Turkish—you’ll start to see similarities with Urdu right away. The majority of Oriental languages have common writing scripts or sounds, usually with a little bit of variation. Most of the alphabets present in one Oriental language can be identified in the others too, with a few exceptions. 

That said, it’s true that there are a couple of unique alphabets and sounds in Urdu which are missing in the other Oriental languages altogether. Also note that Urdu has the capacity to assimilate new words from other languages. For example, Urdu has borrowed a number of English words and molded them for use in Urdu-speaking countries: 

• فریج (fridge) — fridge
• ٹیلیویژن (television) — television
• ڈاکٹر (doctor) — doctor
• انجینیئر (engineer) — engineer

B- Why Urdu is Hard

Below are some of the most common difficulties faced by Urdu learners. As you go through these, remember that being aware of an Urdu difficulty is the best way to prepare for it and succeed! 

1. The uniqueness of the Urdu script خطِ نستعلیق

The Urdu language is complete with its own script, which is an amalgam of the Arabic and Persian scripts. Urdu uses thirty-eight letters in total, and has its own اعراب (airaab) vowel marks that are not included in those thirty-eight letters.

The Urdu writing system is called خطِ نستعلیق (khat-e-Nastaliq). Since the two writing scripts نسخ (naskh) and تعلیق (talique) were combined to make another script, it was initially named Naskh-Talique. With the passage of time, it received fame as Nastalique. The script is written from right to left and follows the top right to bottom left order. This particular characteristic makes it difficult for many non-natives to understand and master it.

2. Different grammatical syntax – فاعل،مفعول،فعل

Aside from the script itself, why is Urdu so hard to read for non-natives? Well, this is likely because the sentence structure of Urdu is different from that of most other languages. It does not follow the usual SVO (Subject + Verb + Object) pattern, and instead uses the SOV (Subject + Object + Verb) arrangement.

Here’s an example:

میں یونیورسٹی جاتا ہوں۔

mei university jata hu.

S      O     V

“I go to University.”

If you want to learn more about Urdu sentence structure and word order, UrduPod101.com has you covered.

3.  Complicated conjugations

Like its syntax, the فعل کی گردان کرنا (fail ki gardaan kerna), or “conjugation of verbs,” in Urdu can be a bit tricky. However, once you’ve learned the basic rules, you’ll be able to conjugate with ease. 

Urdu verbs conjugate depending on their person, mood, voice, gender, and tense. Remember that these concepts are a little hard to comprehend, but they’re certainly not impossible to learn. 

To make this task a bit easier for you, UrduPod101.com has this handy article on Urdu verb conjugation. Read through it a couple of times and start conjugating Urdu verbs right away.

4.  Never undermine the role of gender

Now, here comes another point you have to remember as an Urdu-learner: everything, movable or immovable, has a gender. This may create some trouble for learners just starting out. 

To overcome this challenge of the Urdu language, you must memorize each new noun you learn along with its gender. This will reduce the chances of making a mistake, and you’ll also be in a position to identify and rectify the mistakes you do make. Have a look at the following sentences:

میری قمیض تنگ ہے۔
meri qameez tang hai.
“My shirt is tight.”

میرا جوتا کھلا ہے۔
mera joota khula hai.
“My shoe is loose.”

You can see in these sentences that قمیض (qameez), or “shirt,” is feminine while جوتا (joota), or “shoe,” is masculine.

5. Beware of false friends

With ten vowels and thirty-eight consonants, the Urdu language is self-sufficient in terms of sound representation. As it has a rich assortment of sounds, however, there’s a greater chance of mispronouncing something. The situation becomes even more stressful when you throw in false friends:

دوا (dawa) — “medicine”                        and                           دعا (dua) — “prayer”

سستی (sasti) — “cheap”                           and                           سُستی (susti) — “laziness”

عرض (arz) — “request”                          and                           ارض (arz) — “land”

6. Pronunciation difficulties

Now, let’s look at some sounds that non-natives (especially English-speakers) find rather exotic. 

The most difficult of these sounds is ڑ (rr), the fifteenth letter in the Urdu language. It’s unique in that it never comes at the beginning of a word. 

غ (ghain) is the twenty-fifth letter, and its sound is not found in English. The letter is preceded by another sound not found in English: ع (ain). 

Since many Urdu sounds are new to English-speakers, it’s imperative that they become familiar with them early on in the learning process. Luckily for you, UrduPod101.com has a blog post dedicated to Urdu Pronunciation. Check it out! 

2. I Want to Learn Urdu. Where Should I Start?

Deciding to learn Urdu is a huge leap, so we recommend starting small. For example, studying Urdu vocabulary lists, learning the most common sentence patterns, and getting started with basic everyday phrases will help you ease into the learning process. Becoming familiar with the basic parts of speech in Urdu will also prove beneficial moving forward. 

Here are some highly useful articles to start your Urdu-learning journey.

• Most Common Urdu Nouns
• Most Common Urdu Verbs
• Most Common Urdu Adverbs

3. Advice for New Learners

The best advice we can give is to keep it simple. Try to learn phrases in small chunks and practice using them often. Small bricks of knowledge can be used to craft a building with the right tools and enough time. 

Here’s an example of what we mean:

میں جاتا ہوں
mei jata hu.
“I go.”

Now add an object to the phrase to make a complete sentence.

میں گھر جاتا ہوں۔
mei ghar jata hu.
“I go home.”

And you can always add an adverb.

میں آہستہ آہستہ گھر جاتا ہوں۔
mei ahista ahista ghar jata hu.
“I go home slowly.”

By learning phrases this way, you’ll be able to easily alter and add to them to meet your communication needs. Indeed, it’s a small step but a giant leap. 

Practice Makes a Man Perfect

You can never expect to become masterful at anything if you don’t put in the time and practice. Practicing on a daily basis will not only improve your skills, but it will also increase your self-confidence. In particular, we recommend practicing your Urdu with native Urdu-speakers if possible, as this will expedite your language skills.  

4. Why is UrduPod101.com Great for Learning Urdu?

Even the most ambitious man needs the proper means to reach his goals. In this case, a determined Urdu-learner requires top-notch learning materials and teachers. By signing up for UrduPod101.com, you’ll gain access to tons of fun lessons and learning tools that will make learning Urdu so much easier than traditional learning methods. Let’s take a look at our best features:

A- A Hub for Learning Integrated Language Skills

UrduPod101.com focuses on all aspects of the language so you’ll never be left out in the cold! Each of our lessons contains material to help you improve your Urdu listening, writing, reading, and speaking skills at the same time. This feature makes us a unique hub of Urdu language-learning and distinguishes us from other online resources.

B- An Affordable but High-Quality Learning Resource

In this era of consumerism, it’s a rarity to find a free lunch anywhere. But UrduPod101.com understands the need for valuable resources at reasonable prices, and we won’t disappoint—in fact, we have tons of free learning tools just waiting for you! You can even download some of these to use offline. Creating an account will also allow you to communicate with our team about any issues or questions! 

C- Tailored Learning Approach to Meet Your Individual Needs

Once you’ve gotten the Urdu basics down, you’ll probably want to move forward to more advanced lessons. This is easy! All you need to do is subscribe to our MyTeacher service to start getting live interactive coaching from experienced Urdu teachers. Your Urdu teacher can help you find and complete suitable exercises, help you correct your pronunciation, and offer customized assignments through audio or text messages. This will help you set and achieve personalized goals without a hitch. 

5. Conclusion

So, is Urdu hard to learn? We’ll let you answer that question yourself once you’ve begun your studies! 

Do you have any further questions about how to learn Urdu in an easy way? Are you ready to apply the tips and techniques discussed here to learn Urdu free and easily? If you have any questions about what we covered today, let us know in the comments section; we’ll be glad to help you out! 

Keep exploring UrduPod101.com, a rich repository of Urdu language-learning. Take full advantage of our free Urdu-learning resources and start your journey toward Urdu mastery.

Very Happy Urdu Learning!