Learning a new language can be both an exciting and challenging endeavor. Urdu, the national language of Pakistan and also spoken widely in India, is a beautiful language with rich cultural and historical significance. As with any language, starting with the basics is crucial. This article will guide you through some fundamental Urdu words and phrases that are essential for A1 level learners. Knowing these words will not only help you build a strong foundation but also boost your confidence in engaging in simple conversations.
Greetings and Basic Phrases
Greetings are the first step to starting any conversation. Here are some basic greetings and phrases you should know:
1. **Hello/Hi** – سلام (Salam)
2. **Goodbye** – خداحافظ (Khuda Hafiz)
3. **Please** – براۂ کرم (Barah-e-Karam)
4. **Thank you** – شکریہ (Shukriya)
5. **Yes** – جی ہاں (Ji Haan)
6. **No** – نہیں (Nahi)
7. **Excuse me/Sorry** – معاف کیجیے (Maaf Kijiye)
8. **How are you?** – آپ کیسے ہیں؟ (Aap Kaise Hain?)
9. **I am fine** – میں ٹھیک ہوں (Main Theek Hoon)
10. **What is your name?** – آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟ (Aap Ka Naam Kya Hai?)
11. **My name is…** – میرا نام … ہے (Mera Naam … Hai)
Numbers
Numbers are fundamental in any language. Here are the numbers from 1 to 10 in Urdu:
1. **One** – ایک (Aik)
2. **Two** – دو (Do)
3. **Three** – تین (Teen)
4. **Four** – چار (Chaar)
5. **Five** – پانچ (Paanch)
6. **Six** – چھ (Chay)
7. **Seven** – سات (Saat)
8. **Eight** – آٹھ (Aath)
9. **Nine** – نو (Nau)
10. **Ten** – دس (Das)
Common Nouns
Learning common nouns is essential for building your vocabulary. Here are some everyday nouns you should know:
1. **House** – گھر (Ghar)
2. **Car** – گاڑی (Gari)
3. **Book** – کتاب (Kitaab)
4. **Pen** – قلم (Qalam)
5. **Water** – پانی (Pani)
6. **Food** – کھانا (Khana)
7. **Friend** – دوست (Dost)
8. **School** – سکول (School)
9. **Teacher** – استاد (Ustaad)
10. **Student** – طالب علم (Taalib-e-Ilm)
Family Members
Knowing the words for family members is crucial for any beginner. Here are some basic terms:
1. **Father** – والد (Walid)
2. **Mother** – والدہ (Walida)
3. **Brother** – بھائی (Bhai)
4. **Sister** – بہن (Behen)
5. **Son** – بیٹا (Beta)
6. **Daughter** – بیٹی (Beti)
7. **Uncle** – چچا (Chacha) / ماموں (Mamoo)
8. **Aunt** – چچی (Chachi) / ممانی (Mamoni)
9. **Grandfather** – دادا (Dada) / نانا (Nana)
10. **Grandmother** – دادی (Dadi) / نانی (Nani)
Days of the Week
Understanding the days of the week is essential for planning and conversation:
1. **Monday** – پیر (Peer)
2. **Tuesday** – منگل (Mangal)
3. **Wednesday** – بدھ (Budh)
4. **Thursday** – جمعرات (Jumeraat)
5. **Friday** – جمعہ (Jumma)
6. **Saturday** – ہفتہ (Hafta)
7. **Sunday** – اتوار (Itwaar)
Basic Adjectives
Adjectives help you describe nouns and are essential for making your speech more detailed and interesting:
1. **Big** – بڑا (Bara)
2. **Small** – چھوٹا (Chhota)
3. **Good** – اچھا (Achha)
4. **Bad** – برا (Bura)
5. **Happy** – خوش (Khush)
6. **Sad** – اداس (Udaas)
7. **Hot** – گرم (Garam)
8. **Cold** – ٹھنڈا (Thanda)
9. **Beautiful** – خوبصورت (Khoobsurat)
10. **Expensive** – مہنگا (Mehnga)
Common Verbs
Verbs are action words and are crucial for constructing sentences. Here are some basic verbs:
1. **To be** – ہونا (Hona)
2. **To have** – رکھنا (Rakhna)
3. **To go** – جانا (Jana)
4. **To come** – آنا (Aana)
5. **To eat** – کھانا (Khana)
6. **To drink** – پینا (Peena)
7. **To see** – دیکھنا (Dekhna)
8. **To speak** – بولنا (Bolna)
9. **To read** – پڑھنا (Parhna)
10. **To write** – لکھنا (Likhna)
Question Words
Question words are essential for asking questions and gathering information:
1. **What** – کیا (Kya)
2. **Who** – کون (Kon)
3. **Where** – کہاں (Kahan)
4. **When** – کب (Kab)
5. **Why** – کیوں (Kyun)
6. **How** – کیسے (Kaise)
Colors
Colors are useful for describing objects and making your conversations more vivid:
1. **Red** – لال (Laal)
2. **Blue** – نیلا (Neela)
3. **Green** – سبز (Sabz)
4. **Yellow** – پیلا (Peela)
5. **Black** – کالا (Kala)
6. **White** – سفید (Safed)
7. **Brown** – بھورا (Bhoora)
8. **Orange** – نارنجی (Naranji)
9. **Pink** – گلابی (Gulaabi)
10. **Purple** – جامنی (Jamni)
Common Phrases
Here are some common phrases that you can use in everyday conversations:
1. **How much is this?** – یہ کتنے کا ہے؟ (Yeh Kitne Ka Hai?)
2. **I don’t understand** – میں نہیں سمجھا (Main Nahi Samjha)
3. **Can you help me?** – کیا آپ میری مدد کر سکتے ہیں؟ (Kya Aap Meri Madad Kar Sakte Hain?)
4. **Where is the bathroom?** – باتھ روم کہاں ہے؟ (Bathroom Kahan Hai?)
5. **I like it** – مجھے یہ پسند ہے (Mujhe Yeh Pasand Hai)
6. **I don’t like it** – مجھے یہ پسند نہیں (Mujhe Yeh Pasand Nahi)
7. **What time is it?** – کیا وقت ہوا ہے؟ (Kya Waqt Hua Hai?)
8. **I am hungry** – میں بھوکا ہوں (Main Bhooka Hoon)
9. **I am thirsty** – میں پیاسا ہوں (Main Pyaasa Hoon)
10. **I am lost** – میں کھو گیا ہوں (Main Kho Gaya Hoon)
Directions
Knowing how to ask for and understand directions is crucial when navigating new places:
1. **Left** – بائیں (Baen)
2. **Right** – دائیں (Daen)
3. **Straight** – سیدھا (Seedha)
4. **Near** – قریب (Qareeb)
5. **Far** – دور (Door)
6. **North** – شمال (Shumal)
7. **South** – جنوب (Junoob)
8. **East** – مشرق (Mashriq)
9. **West** – مغرب (Maghrib)
Body Parts
Here are some words for different parts of the body:
1. **Head** – سر (Sar)
2. **Eye** – آنکھ (Aankh)
3. **Ear** – کان (Kaan)
4. **Nose** – ناک (Naak)
5. **Mouth** – منہ (Munh)
6. **Hand** – ہاتھ (Haath)
7. **Foot** – پاؤں (Paun)
8. **Leg** – ٹانگ (Taang)
9. **Arm** – بازو (Baazu)
10. **Heart** – دل (Dil)
Weather
Weather is a common topic of conversation. Here are some weather-related words:
1. **Rain** – بارش (Barish)
2. **Sun** – سورج (Sooraj)
3. **Cloud** – بادل (Baadal)
4. **Wind** – ہوا (Hawa)
5. **Hot** – گرم (Garam)
6. **Cold** – سرد (Sard)
7. **Snow** – برف (Baraf)
8. **Storm** – طوفان (Toofan)
9. **Fog** – دھند (Dhund)
10. **Thunder** – گرج (Garaj)
Common Places
Here are some common places you might need to talk about:
1. **House** – گھر (Ghar)
2. **School** – سکول (School)
3. **Market** – بازار (Bazaar)
4. **Hospital** – ہسپتال (Hospital)
5. **Restaurant** – ریستوران (Restaurant)
6. **Bank** – بینک (Bank)
7. **Park** – پارک (Park)
8. **Hotel** – ہوٹل (Hotel)
9. **Library** – لائبریری (Library)
10. **Cinema** – سنیما (Cinema)
Basic Sentences
Here are some simple sentences to help you start forming your own:
1. **I am a student** – میں طالب علم ہوں (Main Taalib-e-Ilm Hoon)
2. **This is my book** – یہ میری کتاب ہے (Yeh Meri Kitaab Hai)
3. **I live in Pakistan** – میں پاکستان میں رہتا ہوں (Main Pakistan Mein Rehta Hoon)
4. **I like to read** – مجھے پڑھنا پسند ہے (Mujhe Parhna Pasand Hai)
5. **She is my friend** – وہ میری دوست ہے (Woh Meri Dost Hai)
6. **What is this?** – یہ کیا ہے؟ (Yeh Kya Hai?)
7. **Where are you going?** – آپ کہاں جا رہے ہیں؟ (Aap Kahan Ja Rahe Hain?)
8. **I need help** – مجھے مدد چاہیے (Mujhe Madad Chahiye)
9. **I am learning Urdu** – میں اردو سیکھ رہا ہوں (Main Urdu Seekh Raha Hoon)
10. **Can you speak slowly?** – کیا آپ آہستہ بول سکتے ہیں؟ (Kya Aap Ahista Bol Sakte Hain?)
By familiarizing yourself with these essential words and phrases, you’ll be well on your way to building a solid foundation in Urdu. Practice regularly, use these words in your daily conversations, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Language learning is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to fluency. Happy learning!