The Question Words
The essential eight
Many Urdu question words begin with a "k" sound, which makes them easier to remember as a group.
Real Questions
Put them to work
Here is each question word inside a sentence you will actually use.
آپ کا (aap ka) = your, نام (naam) = name. One of the first questions you will ever ask someone.
رہتے ہیں (rehtay hain) = live / reside. Swap کہاں (kahaa'n) for other question words to ask different things.
Handy when meeting new people in a group or looking at a photo.
آئیں گے (aayein gay) = will come. کب (kab) = when. A woman being asked might reply with a time from Lesson 05.
کیوں (kyun) = why. You can answer with کیونکہ (kyunke) = because.
آپ کو (aap ko) = to you, پسند ہے (pasand hay) = is liked. A great phrase for shopping or choosing food.
Yes / No Questions
The kya trick
To turn any statement into a yes/no question, just put کیا (kya) at the front. It works like a spoken question mark.
Statement to question with kya
Notice that کیا (kya) means both "what" and acts as the yes/no question marker. Position tells you which: at the very start it usually signals a yes/no question.
Quick Reference
All question words at a glance
Drill the essential eight here.
Questions open doors
Pakistanis are warm and curious, and asking questions is a sign of genuine interest, not nosiness. Asking آپ کہاں سے ہیں؟ (aap kahaa'n se hain? - where are you from?) or آپ کا نام کیا ہے؟ (aap ka naam kya hay? - what is your name?) is the natural way to start almost any conversation.
Because so many question words start with "k," some learners find it helpful to learn them as a little group: kya, kaun, kahaa'n, kab, kyun, kaisay, kitna, kaunsa. Say them together a few times and they stick.
Practice
Try it yourself
Say each answer out loud, then check.
What would you say?
Picture the situation and respond in Urdu.
Asking questions is how you start talking.
The fastest way to get fluent is to ask, listen, and respond. Practise real back and forth with a teacher who keeps the conversation going. Book a free call.