5 Urdu Phrases Every
Beginner Should Know

By Syeda · UrduCraft

You do not need hundreds of words to start speaking Urdu. You need a handful of phrases you can use every single day. Here are the five I teach first.

1. As-salamu alaykum (hello / peace be upon you)

This is the greeting you will use everywhere, with everyone. It works morning, noon, and night, and with family, strangers, and shopkeepers alike. When someone says it to you, reply with wa alaykum as-salam.

2. Aap kaisay hain? (how are you?)

Right after hello comes this. Say aap kaisay hain? to a man and aap kaisi hain? to a woman. A simple reply is main theek hoo'n, which means "I am fine."

3. Shukriya (thank you)

One small word that opens hearts. Pakistanis are warm and generous hosts, and a sincere shukriya goes a long way. For "please," use meharbaani.

4. Yeh kitnay ka hay? (how much is this?)

The phrase that makes shopping possible. Point at anything and ask yeh kitnay ka hay? You will use it in markets, shops, and stalls all the time.

5. Mujhe samajh nahin aaya (I did not understand)

This is the secret weapon of every beginner. Instead of freezing, just say mujhe samajh nahin aaya and people will happily slow down and repeat. Asking is not a weakness. It is how you learn.

Urdu bolna shuru karnay kay liye aap ko sainkaron alfaaz ki zaroorat nahin. Aap ko sirf chand jumlay aanay chahiyein jo aap rozana istemaal kar sakein. Yeh paanch jumlay main sab se pehle sikhati hoo'n.

1. As-salamu alaykum (hello)

Yeh woh salaam hay jo aap har jagah, har kisi kay saath istemaal karein gay. Subah, dophar, raat, har waqt chalta hay, chahay family ho, ajnabi ho ya dukaandaar. Jab koi aap ko kahay, to jawab mein wa alaykum as-salam kahein.

2. Aap kaisay hain? (how are you?)

Salaam kay foran baad yeh aata hay. Mard ko aap kaisay hain? aur aurat ko aap kaisi hain? kahein. Saada jawab hay main theek hoo'n.

3. Shukriya (thank you)

Aik chhota sa lafz jo dilon ko khol deta hay. Pakistani log bohat garmjoshi se mehmaan nawaazi kartay hain, aur aik sachcha shukriya bohat kaam aata hay. "Please" kay liye meharbaani kahein.

4. Yeh kitnay ka hay? (how much is this?)

Woh jumla jo shopping mumkin banata hay. Kisi bhi cheez ki taraf ishaara karein aur poochein yeh kitnay ka hay? Aap isay bazaaron aur dukaanon mein baar baar istemaal karein gay.

5. Mujhe samajh nahin aaya (I did not understand)

Yeh har beginner ka khufiya hathiyaar hay. Ghabraanay ki bajaye, sirf kahein mujhe samajh nahin aaya aur log khushi se aahista bol kar dohraa dein gay. Poochna kamzori nahin. Yehi seekhnay ka tareeqa hay.