The Colours
Learn the palette
Start by learning the colour words themselves. The forms shown here are the masculine (default) form.
Gender Agreement
When colours change
Colours ending in -a (like kaala, hara, peela) change to -i when describing a feminine noun. Colours like laal, safaid, and surmai never change.
The -a to -i change
Notice that لال (laal, red) stays the same with both masculine and feminine nouns, because it does not end in -a. Only the -a colours change.
Useful Phrases
Describing and asking
Use colours to describe things and to talk about what you like.
کونسا (kaunsa) = which, رنگ (rang) = colour. A simple way to ask or to test yourself with objects around you.
پسندیدہ (pasandeeda) = favourite. Swap نیلا (neela) for any colour to say yours.
The simplest sentence: یہ (yeh) = this, then the colour, then ہے (hay) = is. Point and describe.
Quick Reference
All colours at a glance
Drill the full palette here.
The meaning of colours
Colours carry meaning in Pakistani culture. ہرا (hara, green) is associated with Islam and appears on the national flag. گلابی (gulaabi, pink) gets its name from گلاب (gulaab, the rose) and is loved in clothing and sweets. At weddings you will see brides in لال (laal, red), the colour of celebration and joy.
Notice how گلابی (gulaabi) comes from the word for rose. Many Urdu colour words come from nature like this, which makes them easier to remember once you know the connection.
Practice
Try it yourself
Say each answer out loud, then check.
What would you say?
Picture the situation and respond in Urdu.
Describing the world around you in Urdu.
Colours, sizes, shapes: describing words bring your Urdu to life. Practise putting them together naturally with a teacher. Book a free call.