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... Show more

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... Show more

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 The Urdu Script and Transliteration System Urdu Syntax and Word Order Verbs and Tenses Nouns Pronouns ... Show more

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... Show more

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... Show more

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... Show more

"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... Show more

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... Show more

"The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake." — Meister Eckhart As a learner of a foreign language, you should always opt to make mistakes instead of keeping quiet. While no one enjoys making mistakes, they’re an inevitable part of language-learning, and every successful learner has made them. Just remember that it’s important to learn from those mistakes so as not to repeat them!  In this article, we’ll outline the most common mistakes Urdu-learners make and how to avoid them.  But before we start, a quick note: If you’re an Urdu-learner, you’ll come to know at some point that even native Pakistanis are susceptible to making mistakes in their own language. For example, many Pakistanis are unable to... Show more

"To be or not to be, that is the question."  Prince Hamlet’s famous question not only immortalized his theatrical character, but also eternalized the dialogic brilliance of Shakespeare in the world of English drama. This question further elevates the character of Hamlet when you consider the proposal rightly put forward by Voltaire: "Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers." In this article, you’ll learn the most common questions and answers in Urdu. For asking questions and understanding the answers you receive is a vital element of communication. This knowledge will help eliminate ignorance, increase your understanding, and strengthen your bonds with others.   With this in mind, muscle up and learn how to ask... Show more