UrduPod101.com Blog

“We have more to learn from animals than animals have to learn from us.” (Anthony Douglas William) Animals make up a large part of our lives, don’t they? This is especially true for those who have pets at home or raise livestock for a living.  While we may have a lot to learn from animals, there’s something else that you should learn: animal names in Urdu! As an Urdu learner, you’ll certainly benefit from memorizing these words early on. Animals are an essential component of everyday life and they often come up in conversations, which means that knowing the relevant vocabulary will help you more easily converse with native speakers.  In this article, we’ll provide you with a list of animals in Urdu as well as several other useful... Show more

Try finding just one person who has not been affected by the telecommunication industry in some way.  Nowadays, nearly everyone has a mobile phone. While messages sent over SMS and social media make up a large portion of our communication, phone calls are still a crucial aspect of everyday life. Making appointments, ordering pizza, discussing business with a client...all of these things are traditionally done over the phone.  As a foreigner in Pakistan, one of the most important things you’ll learn is how to hold an Urdu phone conversation. By learning how to communicate effectively over the phone, you’ll be more likely to achieve your desired results and leave a positive impression on the other party.  That said, we know how... Show more

Did you know that the Urdu language contains over 264,000 words? As a beginner in Urdu, you might find that number intimidating. But don’t fret! Even native Urdu speakers know and use only a fraction of these words.  The most important thing at this stage of your learning journey is that you pick up the essentials. If you’re not sure where to start, this list of basic Urdu words for beginners is a solid option. We’ve hand-picked the words here to reflect what you’re most likely to hear and find use for while in Pakistan.  Whether you’re studying, working, or just exploring this beautiful country, memorizing these words will help you find acceptability among native speakers. You’ll also gain more confidence in your language ability... Show more

So, you’ve built up a solid vocabulary base. You’ve almost perfected your pronunciation. You’ve even gained a strong command of Urdu grammar... But you still struggle to understand the words and phrases used by native Urdu speakers in conversations.  Any experienced language learner can tell you that spoken language is far different from what you learn in the classroom or textbook. A great example of this is filler words.  If you’re ready to start having better conversations in Urdu, it’s time to give the devil its due by focusing your attention on Urdu filler words. At this stage, you must set aside the intricate linguistic rules and regulations you’ve learned so far. Start contemplating the real-life situations that you’ve had (or... Show more

Many love stories end long before they even start due to linguistic and cultural barriers. In fact, a linguistic error can sometimes be more fatal than no communication at all!  If a native Urdu speaker has won your affections, there’s no better way to strengthen your bond than by learning how to express your love in Urdu. The Urdu language is full of romance and romanticism, but all the sweet nothings in the world won’t mean a thing if you use them at the wrong time or in the wrong context.  In addition, you should always take into account the cultural differences between Western culture and Pakistani culture. For example, in Pakistani society, you can't just go out on random romantic conquests. Before making an advance toward the... Show more

Paulo Coehlo said it well: When you say "Yes" to others, make sure you are not saying "No" to yourself. Wherever you are in the world, knowing how to say ‘no’ tactfully is an invaluable skill. It’s crucial to have the linguistic tools necessary to assert your identity and keep in balance with others.  In Pakistan, it’s customary to be mindful and courteous while giving a negative statement or response to someone. Due to these cultural nuances, today we’ll teach you not only how to form negative sentences in Urdu but also how to apply them to various real-life situations. In addition, we’ll introduce you to several negative expressions in the Urdu language that you can start practicing right away. → Looking for more ways to assert... Show more

Should I learn Urdu?  While this may appear to be a simple yes-or-no question, its answer is embedded within myriads of internal discourses. There are several reasons that one may wish to learn Urdu, and still other reasons that one may shy away from the task. Because people differ in their proclivities, it’s also common for one to be drawn to Urdu for a very different set of reasons than another person is. A backpacker, for instance, will learn Urdu for a different reason than that of a culture critic. Likewise, an anthropologist will give a different reason for learning the language than a businessman would. In this article, we’ll discuss why you should learn Urdu as well as the numerous benefits doing so can bring to your life. ... Show more

Do you aim at passing through the labyrinth of Urdu tenses without becoming lost in it? Like you, many Urdu learners are hesitant to enter the intricate maze of Urdu-language tenses and their numerous conjugations for the present, past, and future. That said, you may be relieved to hear that dealing with mundane matters in the Urdu language does not require you to learn the verb tenses in Urdu to mastery. If you’re a smart learner with some linguistic common sense, you’ll find ways to formulate Urdu sentences for everyday usage—even if you only have a rudimentary knowledge of tenses.  In this article from UrduPod101, we’ll guide you through the vast world of Urdu verbs and tenses. You’ll learn how to form everything from the simple... Show more

Is it possible to give a definite time-frame for learning Urdu?  Frankly speaking, it’s quite difficult to specify exactly how long it will take someone to learn the language. There are multiple variables that affect one’s second-language acquisition, such as necessity, motivation, level of education, culture, and previous experience with languages. Keeping this in view, it’s also imperative for an aspiring Urdu learner to decide what level of fluency they hope to attain. For example, picking up basic survival phrases for travel will take far less time than trying to become fluent. In this article, we’ll answer questions such as, "How long does it take to learn Urdu?" and give you some tips on how to learn Urdu fast! Table... Show more

Have you ever found yourself struggling to get a point across, only to have the perfect proverb come to mind and save the day? You really can’t deny the utility of proverbs in everyday communication!  The Urdu language is resplendent with traditional sayings and proverbs that reflect the collective consciousness and group identity of its speakers. These Urdu proverbs may come from a variety of sources, from popular folk wisdom to words of the learned elite, but they all share a common cultural understanding and value for the community.  In this article, we’ll introduce you to several of the most common Urdu proverbs and their meanings in English. Studying these proverbs will not only stretch your vocabulary and grammar muscles, but... Show more