Daily Use English Words With Urdu Meaning, Grouped by Topic

How to use this list

• Tap the speaker to hear the English word (your browser’s own voice).
• Urdu script on the right, Roman Urdu under the English word.
• One example sentence per word, and a note where there’s a trap.
• Keep it: Print, then “Save as PDF”.

Words for the home with Urdu meaning

The things you name every day without thinking. Start here.

• house

  ghar

  گھر

  Our house is near the main road.

• room

  kamra

  کمرہ

  My room gets the morning sun.

• door

  darwaza

  دروازہ

  Please close the door behind you.

• window

  khirki

  کھڑکی

  Open the window, it’s very hot in here.

• roof

  chhat

  چھت

  We sleep on the roof in summer.

• floor

  farsh

  فرش

  Be careful, the floor is wet.

• wall

  deewar

  دیوار

  The clock is on that wall.

• bed

  bistar

  بستر

  I made the bed this morning.

• pillow

  takiya

  تکیہ

  Can I have another pillow?

• blanket

  kambal

  کمبل

  It’s cold tonight, take a blanket.

• chair

  kursi

  کرسی

  Please sit on this chair.

• table

  mez

  میز

  Dinner is on the table.

• fan

  pankha

  پنکھا

  Turn on the fan, please.

• light

  batti

  بتی

  Switch off the light when you leave.

  Also means “not heavy” (ہلکا). See the describing words.

• key

  chaabi

  چابی

  I can’t find my keys.

• lock

  taala

  تالا

  The lock on the gate is broken.

  As a verb, to lock = تالا لگانا: “Did you lock the gate?”

• bathroom

  ghusal khana

  غسل خانہ

  The bathroom is on the left.

• soap

  saabun

  صابن

  Wash your hands with soap.

• towel

  tauliya

  تولیہ

  There’s a clean towel in the cupboard.

• mirror

  aaina

  آئینہ

  She checked her hair in the mirror.

• broom

  jhaaru

  جھاڑو

  The broom is behind the door.

• neighbour

  parosi

  پڑوسی

  Our neighbour has a new car.

Kitchen and cooking words with Urdu meaning

Useful at home, and in any job with food. The cooking verbs matter more than the nouns.

• kitchen

  bawarchi khana

  باورچی خانہ

  My mother is in the kitchen.

• stove

  chulha

  چولہا

  Turn off the stove before you go out.

• pot

  degchi

  دیگچی

  Put the rice in a big pot.

• frying pan

  fry pan

  فرائی پین

  Heat a little oil in the frying pan.

  A deep wok-shaped pan is a karahi (کڑاہی); English menus often just say “karahi”.

• plate

  plate

  پلیٹ

  Can you pass me a plate?

• bowl

  pyaala

  پیالہ

  I’ll have a bowl of daal.

• spoon

  chamach

  چمچ

  Stir it with a wooden spoon.

• knife

  chhuri

  چھری

  This knife isn’t sharp.

• glass

  glass

  گلاس

  Fill the glass with water.

• cup

  pyaali

  پیالی

  Would you like a cup of tea?

• fridge

  fridge

  فریج

  Put the milk back in the fridge.

• salt

  namak

  نمک

  It needs a little more salt.

• oil

  tel

  تیل

  Use less oil next time.

• spices

  masalay

  مصالحے

  Add the spices after the onions.

• to cook

  pakaana

  پکانا

  Who’s cooking tonight?

• to boil

  ubaalna

  ابالنا

  Boil the eggs for ten minutes.

• to fry

  talna

  تلنا

  She fried some pakoras.

• to cut

  kaatna

  کاٹنا

  Cut the onions into small pieces.

• to wash

  dhona

  دھونا

  Wash the vegetables first.

• to stir

  hilaana

  ہلانا

  Keep stirring or it will burn.

Food and drink words with Urdu meaning

Notice that many Pakistani dishes keep their own names in English: daal, roti, biryani, chai.

• bread

  roti

  روٹی

  We have bread with eggs for breakfast.

  In English, “roti” is used for roti; “bread” usually means a loaf (ڈبل روٹی).

• rice

  chaawal

  چاول

  Rice is ready in five minutes.

• lentils

  daal

  دال

  Lentils are cheap and healthy.

• meat

  gosht

  گوشت

  I don’t eat much meat.

• chicken

  murghi

  مرغی

  Chicken is cheaper this week.

• egg

  anda

  انڈا

  How do you like your eggs?

• milk

  doodh

  دودھ

  We’re out of milk.

• yoghurt

  dahi

  دہی

  Yoghurt helps with spicy food.

• sugar

  cheeni

  چینی

  No sugar in my tea, please.

• flour

  aata

  آٹا

  The price of flour has gone up.

• vegetables

  sabziyaan

  سبزیاں

  Buy fresh vegetables from the market.

• fruit

  phal

  پھل

  Mangoes are my favourite fruit.

• onion

  pyaaz

  پیاز

  Fry the onion until it’s golden.

• tomato

  tamaatar

  ٹماٹر

  Tomatoes are expensive right now.

• potato

  aaloo

  آلو

  Potatoes go with everything.

• tea

  chaai

  چائے

  Let’s have tea after work.

• water

  paani

  پانی

  Can I have some water, please?

• breakfast

  naashta

  ناشتہ

  I skipped breakfast today.

• lunch

  dopehar ka khaana

  دوپہر کا کھانا

  We eat lunch at one.

• dinner

  raat ka khaana

  رات کا کھانا

  Dinner is late on weekends.

• hungry

  bhooka

  بھوکا

  I’m really hungry.

• thirsty

  pyaasa

  پیاسا

  Are you thirsty?

Shopping and money words with Urdu meaning

The words for the market, the shop counter and paying.

• shop

  dukaan

  دکان

  The shop opens at ten.

• market

  bazaar

  بازار

  Let’s go to the market on Sunday.

• shopkeeper

  dukaandaar

  دکاندار

  The shopkeeper gave me a discount.

• customer

  gaahak

  گاہک

  The customer wants to return the shirt.

• price

  qeemat

  قیمت

  What’s the price of this?

• cheap

  sasta

  سستا

  This one is cheaper.

• expensive

  mehnga

  مہنگا

  That phone is too expensive.

• discount

  riaayat / discount

  رعایت / ڈسکاؤنٹ

  Can you give me a discount?

• cash

  naqd

  نقد

  Do you take cash or card?

• change

  khulay paisay

  کھلے پیسے

  Sorry, I don’t have change.

  Also means تبدیلی (a difference). “Small change” is coins or small notes.

• receipt

  raseed

  رسید

  Keep the receipt.

• bill

  bill

  بل

  The electricity bill came today.

• bag

  thaila

  تھیلا

  Do you need a bag?

• size

  naap

  ناپ

  Do you have this in a bigger size?

• queue

  qataar

  قطار

  There was a long queue at the bank.

  Americans say “line”.

• to buy

  khareedna

  خریدنا

  I bought a new pair of shoes.

• to sell

  bechna

  بیچنا

  He sells fruit near the station.

• to pay

  ada karna

  ادا کرنا

  I’ll pay by card.

• to borrow

  udhaar lena

  ادھار لینا

  Can I borrow your pen?

  To borrow = to take for a while (ادھار لینا). To lend = to give for a while (ادھار دینا).

• to return

  waapas karna

  واپس کرنا

  I want to return this shirt.

Work and office words with Urdu meaning

The words you need for a job interview and your first weeks at work.

• office

  daftar

  دفتر

  I reach the office at nine.

• job

  naukri

  نوکری

  She got a new job last month.

• manager

  manager / afsar

  مینیجر / افسر

  My manager is on leave today.

• colleague

  saathi

  ساتھی

  My colleagues are very helpful.

• salary

  tankhwaah

  تنخواہ

  The salary comes on the first of the month.

• meeting

  ijlaas / meeting

  اجلاس / میٹنگ

  The meeting starts at three.

• deadline

  aakhri taareekh / aakhri waqt

  آخری تاریخ / آخری وقت

  The deadline is Friday.

• leave

  chhutti

  چھٹی

  I’m taking two days’ leave.

  As a verb, “to leave” means to go away (چلے جانا) or to let something stay (چھوڑنا).

• task

  kaam

  کام

  I have three tasks to finish today.

• experience

  tajurba

  تجربہ

  Do you have any experience in sales?

• application

  darkhwaast

  درخواست

  I sent my application by email.

• to apply

  darkhwaast dena

  درخواست دینا

  I’m applying for a call center job.

• interview

  interview

  انٹرویو

  My interview is on Monday.

• promotion

  taraqqi

  ترقی

  He got a promotion this year.

• shift

  shift / baari

  شفٹ / باری

  I’m on the night shift this week.

• signature

  dastakhat

  دستخط

  I need your signature here.

• to sign

  dastakhat karna

  دستخط کرنا

  Please sign the form.

• appointment

  mulaaqaat ka waqt

  ملاقات کا وقت

  I have an appointment at the bank.

• to resign

  istifa dena

  استعفیٰ دینا

  He resigned last week.

• holiday

  ta’teel / chhutti

  تعطیل / چھٹی

  Monday is a public holiday.

School and study words with Urdu meaning

For students, parents and anyone preparing for a test.

• teacher

  ustaad

  استاد

  Our English teacher is very strict.

• student

  taalib-e-ilm

  طالب علم

  She’s a student at Punjab University.

• book

  kitaab

  کتاب

  Open your books to page ten.

• notebook

  kaapi

  کاپی

  Write it in your notebook.

• pen

  qalam

  قلم

  Can I borrow a pen?

• lesson

  sabaq

  سبق

  Today’s lesson is about the past tense.

• exam

  imtihaan

  امتحان

  My exams start next week.

• result

  nateeja

  نتیجہ

  The results come out in August.

• homework

  ghar ka kaam

  گھر کا کام

  Have you finished your homework?

• question

  sawaal

  سوال

  Can I ask a question?

• answer

  jawaab

  جواب

  I don’t know the answer.

• subject

  mazmoon

  مضمون

  Maths is my favourite subject.

• to learn

  seekhna

  سیکھنا

  I’m learning English for my job.

• to teach

  parhaana

  پڑھانا

  She teaches at a primary school.

• to read

  parhna

  پڑھنا

  I read the news every morning.

  پڑھنا also means “to study”. In English, “I am reading” and “I am studying” are different.

• to write

  likhna

  لکھنا

  Write your name at the top.

• to understand

  samajhna

  سمجھنا

  Sorry, I don’t understand.

• to remember

  yaad rakhna

  یاد رکھنا

  I can’t remember his name.

• to forget

  bhoolna

  بھولنا

  Don’t forget your ID card.

• to practise

  mashq karna

  مشق کرنا

  Practise speaking every day.

  British spelling: practise (verb), practice (noun). Americans use practice for both.

Health and hospital words with Urdu meaning

For the doctor, the pharmacy and explaining how you feel.

• hospital

  haspataal

  ہسپتال

  He’s in hospital for two days.

• doctor

  doctor

  ڈاکٹر

  You should see a doctor.

• patient

  mareez

  مریض

  The patient is feeling better.

• medicine

  dawaa

  دوا

  Take this medicine after meals.

• pharmacy

  dawaa khaana / medical store

  دوا خانہ / میڈیکل اسٹور

  Is there a pharmacy near here?

  In the UK, “chemist”; in the US, “drugstore”. “Medical store” is understood but is Pakistani and Indian usage.

• prescription

  nuskha

  نسخہ

  You need a prescription for this.

• pain

  dard

  درد

  I have back pain.

• fever

  bukhaar

  بخار

  She has had a fever since last night.

• cough

  khaansi

  کھانسی

  This cough won’t go away.

• a cold

  zukaam

  زکام

  I’ve got a cold.

  Without “a”, cold means ٹھنڈا.

• headache

  sar dard

  سر درد

  I have a terrible headache.

• injury

  chot

  چوٹ

  It’s only a small injury.

• blood

  khoon

  خون

  They took a blood test.

• check-up

  muaaina

  معائنہ

  I go for a check-up every year.

• emergency

  hangaami haalat

  ہنگامی حالت

  Call 1122 in an emergency.

• allergy

  allergy

  الرجی

  I have an allergy to dust.

• to rest

  aaraam karna

  آرام کرنا

  The doctor told me to rest.

• to get better

  sehat-yaab hona

  صحت یاب ہونا

  I hope you get better soon.

• healthy

  sehat-mand

  صحت مند

  Try to eat healthy food.

• dizzy

  chakkar aa rahe hain

  چکر آ رہے ہیں

  I feel dizzy when I stand up.

Parts of the body with Urdu meaning

You need these at the doctor’s, and they turn up in many everyday phrases.

• head

  sar

  سر

  My head hurts.

• eye

  aankh

  آنکھ

  Something is in my eye.

• ear

  kaan

  کان

  My ear has been hurting since yesterday.

• nose

  naak

  ناک

  My nose is blocked.

• mouth

  munh

  منہ

  Open your mouth, please.

• tooth

  daant

  دانت

  I have a bad tooth.

  Plural: teeth.

• neck

  gardan

  گردن

  I slept badly and my neck hurts.

• shoulder

  kandha

  کندھا

  He hurt his shoulder playing cricket.

• arm

  baazu

  بازو

  She broke her arm.

• hand

  haath

  ہاتھ

  Wash your hands before eating.

• finger

  ungli

  انگلی

  I cut my finger.

• back

  kamar

  کمر

  Lift it carefully or you’ll hurt your back.

• stomach

  pait

  پیٹ

  I have a stomach ache.

• heart

  dil

  دل

  Walking is good for your heart.

• leg

  taang

  ٹانگ

  My legs are tired.

• knee

  ghutna

  گھٹنا

  My grandmother has bad knees.

• foot

  paaon

  پاؤں

  My foot is swollen.

  Plural: feet.

• hair

  baal

  بال

  She has long hair.

  Usually no “s”: “my hair is long”, not “my hairs are long”.

Travel, transport and direction words with Urdu meaning

For buses, trains, airports and asking the way.

• road

  sarak

  سڑک

  The road is closed for repairs.

• bus

  bus

  بس

  The bus is late again.

• train

  rail gaari

  ریل گاڑی

  The train leaves at six.

• station

  station

  اسٹیشن

  Meet me at the station.

• airport

  hawaai adda

  ہوائی اڈہ

  It takes an hour to reach the airport.

• ticket

  ticket

  ٹکٹ

  I booked the tickets online.

• fare

  kiraaya

  کرایہ

  How much is the fare to Lahore?

  کرایہ is also rent: fare for a journey, rent for a house.

• luggage

  saamaan

  سامان

  How much luggage can I take?

  Uncountable: “two bags”, not “two luggages”.

• passport

  passport

  پاسپورٹ

  Keep your passport safe.

• journey

  safar

  سفر

  The journey takes five hours.

• seat

  nashist / seat

  نشست / سیٹ

  Is this seat free?

• map

  naqsha

  نقشہ

  Check the map on your phone.

• left

  baayen

  بائیں

  Turn left at the mosque.

• right

  daayen

  دائیں

  It’s on your right.

  Also means صحیح (correct).

• straight

  seedha

  سیدھا

  Go straight for two minutes.

• near

  qareeb

  قریب

  Is it near here?

• far

  door

  دور

  It’s not far, you can walk.

• traffic

  traffic

  ٹریفک

  There was a lot of traffic today.

• to arrive

  pohanchna

  پہنچنا

  What time did you arrive?

• to leave

  rawaana hona

  روانہ ہونا

  The flight leaves at midnight.

• late

  der se

  دیر سے

  Sorry I’m late.

Time and weather words with Urdu meaning

Watch out for کل: Urdu uses one word for both yesterday and tomorrow, and English never does.

• today

  aaj

  آج

  What’s the date today?

• yesterday

  kal (guzra hua)

  کل (گزرا ہوا)

  I called you yesterday.

• tomorrow

  kal (aane wala)

  کل (آنے والا)

  See you tomorrow.

• morning

  subah

  صبح

  I walk every morning.

• afternoon

  dopehar

  دوپہر

  The shop is closed in the afternoon.

• evening

  shaam

  شام

  Let’s meet in the evening.

• night

  raat

  رات

  He works at night.

• week

  hafta

  ہفتہ

  I’ll finish it this week.

  ہفتہ is also Saturday. In English, a week (seven days) and Saturday are different words.

• month

  maheena

  مہینہ

  My rent is due every month.

• year

  saal

  سال

  Happy new year!

• hour

  ghanta

  گھنٹہ

  The class is one hour long.

• early

  jaldi

  جلدی

  Please come early tomorrow.

• weather

  mausam

  موسم

  The weather is lovely today.

• hot

  garam

  گرم

  It’s too hot to go out.

• cold

  thanda

  ٹھنڈا

  The water is cold.

  For the weather: “It’s cold” (سردی ہے).

• rain

  baarish

  بارش

  It might rain tonight.

• wind

  hawa

  ہوا

  The wind is very strong.

• cloud

  baadal

  بادل

  Look at those dark clouds.

• summer

  garmiyaan

  گرمیاں

  Summer in Multan is very hot.

• winter

  sardiyaan

  سردیاں

  I love tea in winter.

Family and people words with Urdu meaning

Urdu has a separate word for almost every relative. English has far fewer, so one English word often covers several Urdu ones.

• family

  khaandaan / ghar walay

  خاندان / گھر والے

  My family lives in Faisalabad.

• mother

  maan / ammi

  ماں / امی

  My mother is a teacher.

• father

  baap / abbu

  باپ / ابو

  My father retired last year.

• brother

  bhaai

  بھائی

  I have two brothers.

• sister

  behan

  بہن

  My sister lives abroad.

• husband

  shohar

  شوہر

  Her husband works in a bank.

• wife

  biwi

  بیوی

  This is my wife, Sana.

• son

  beta

  بیٹا

  Our son is five.

• daughter

  beti

  بیٹی

  Their daughter is a doctor.

• grandfather

  daada / naana

  دادا / نانا

  My grandfather tells great stories.

  English uses one word for both sides. Say “my father’s father” if you need to be exact.

• grandmother

  daadi / naani

  دادی / نانی

  I visit my grandmother every Sunday.

• uncle

  chacha, taaya, maamoon, khaalu, phupha

  چچا، تایا، ماموں، خالو، پھوپھا

  My uncle lives in Karachi.

  One English word for all five.

• aunt

  chachi, taai, mumaani, khaala, phuppo

  چچی، تائی، ممانی، خالہ، پھوپھی

  My aunt is visiting us.

  One English word for all five.

• cousin

  cousin

  کزن (چچا زاد، ماموں زاد…)

  He’s my cousin.

  Just “cousin”, for a boy or a girl. “Cousin brother” is not used in standard English.

• relative

  rishtedaar

  رشتہ دار

  We have relatives in Dubai.

• friend

  dost

  دوست

  She’s my best friend.

• child

  bachcha

  بچہ

  The child is asleep.

  Plural: children.

• guest

  mehmaan

  مہمان

  We have guests tonight.

• married

  shaadi-shuda

  شادی شدہ

  Are you married?

• wedding

  shaadi

  شادی

  My cousin’s wedding is next month.

Words for feelings with Urdu meaning

Most learners know happy and sad. These let you say what you actually feel.

• happy

  khush

  خوش

  I’m so happy for you.

• sad

  udaas

  اداس

  She looks sad today.

• angry

  ghusse mein

  غصے میں

  Why are you angry with me?

• upset

  naaraaz / pareshaan

  ناراض / پریشان

  He was upset about the result.

• tired

  thaka hua

  تھکا ہوا

  I’m tired after work.

• worried

  fikr-mand / pareshaan

  فکرمند / پریشان

  I’m worried about my exam.

• scared

  dara hua

  ڈرا ہوا

  The child was scared of the dog.

• nervous

  ghabraaya hua

  گھبرایا ہوا

  I always get nervous before interviews.

• excited

  pur-josh

  پرجوش

  We’re excited about the trip.

• bored

  uktaaya hua / bore

  اکتایا ہوا / بور

  I’m bored at home.

  “I’m bored” = I feel it. “I’m boring” = I make other people bored.

• surprised

  hairaan

  حیران

  I was surprised to see him.

• proud

  fakhr

  فخر

  Your parents must be proud of you.

  “Proud of” = (کسی پر) فخر ہونا.

• embarrassed

  sharminda

  شرمندہ

  I was embarrassed by my mistake.

• lonely

  tanha / akela

  تنہا / اکیلا

  She felt lonely in the new city.

• calm

  pur-sukoon

  پرسکون

  Stay calm and answer slowly.

• confused

  uljha hua

  الجھا ہوا

  I’m confused, can you explain again?

• grateful

  shukr-guzaar

  شکر گزار

  I’m grateful for your help.

• relieved

  raahat mehsoos karna

  راحت محسوس کرنا

  I was relieved when I passed.

• stressed

  zehni dabaao mein

  ذہنی دباؤ میں

  I’m stressed about money.

  Pakistani English says “I’m taking tension”. Standard English: “I’m stressed” or “I’m worried”.

• jealous

  hasad

  حسد

  He’s jealous of his brother.

  “Jealous of someone” = کسی سے حسد کرنا.

Everyday action words (verbs) with Urdu meaning

Verbs make sentences. If you learn only one group, learn this one.

• to go

  jaana

  جانا

  I go to work by bus.

• to come

  aana

  آنا

  Come here, please.

• to eat

  khaana

  کھانا

  Have you eaten?

• to drink

  peena

  پینا

  Drink more water.

• to sleep

  sona

  سونا

  I couldn’t sleep last night.

• to wake up

  jaagna

  جاگنا

  I wake up at six.

• to sit

  baithna

  بیٹھنا

  Please sit down.

• to stand

  khara hona

  کھڑا ہونا

  We stood in the queue for an hour.

• to walk

  chalna

  چلنا

  I walk to the shop.

• to run

  daurna

  دوڑنا

  He ran to catch the bus.

• to speak

  bolna

  بولنا

  Do you speak English?

• to listen

  sunna

  سننا

  Listen carefully.

• to see

  dekhna

  دیکھنا

  Did you see the match?

• to ask

  poochhna

  پوچھنا

  Can I ask you something?

• to tell

  bataana

  بتانا

  Tell me what happened.

• to give

  dena

  دینا

  Give me five minutes.

• to take

  lena

  لینا

  Take an umbrella.

• to open

  kholna

  کھولنا

  Open the door, please.

• to close

  band karna

  بند کرنا

  Close the window, it’s cold.

• to wait

  intezaar karna

  انتظار کرنا

  Wait for me here.

• to help

  madad karna

  مدد کرنا

  Can you help me?

• to try

  koshish karna

  کوشش کرنا

  I’ll try my best.

• to need

  zaroorat hona / chaahiye

  ضرورت ہونا / چاہیے

  I need a new phone.

  “I need a new phone” = مجھے نیا فون چاہیے.

• to call

  phone karna / bulaana

  فون کرنا / بلانا

  I’ll call you tonight.

Describing words (adjectives) with Urdu meaning

The words you put in front of nouns. Learn them in pairs of opposites.

• big

  bara

  بڑا

  They live in a big house.

• small

  chhota

  چھوٹا

  It’s a small shop.

• new

  naya

  نیا

  Is that a new phone?

• old

  puraana / boorha

  پرانا / بوڑھا

  This car is very old.

  For things, پرانا; for people, بوڑھا. In English both are “old”.

• good

  achha

  اچھا

  That’s a good idea.

• bad

  bura

  برا

  The food was bad.

• clean

  saaf

  صاف

  Keep the kitchen clean.

• dirty

  ganda

  گندا

  My shoes are dirty.

• easy

  aasaan

  آسان

  The test was easy.

• difficult

  mushkil

  مشکل

  English spelling is difficult.

• fast

  tez

  تیز

  He drives too fast.

• slow

  aahista

  آہستہ

  The internet is slow today.

• full

  bhara hua

  بھرا ہوا

  The bus was full.

• empty

  khaali

  خالی

  The bottle is empty.

• heavy

  bhaari

  بھاری

  This bag is heavy.

• light

  halka

  ہلکا

  Take something light to eat.

  Also means بتی (a lamp).

• busy

  masroof

  مصروف

  I’m busy right now.

• free

  faarigh / muft

  فارغ / مفت

  Are you free tomorrow? The entry is free.

  Two meanings: not busy (فارغ) and no cost (مفت).

• important

  aham

  اہم

  This is very important.

• correct

  sahi

  صحیح

  Your answer is correct.

• wrong

  ghalat

  غلط

  Sorry, wrong number.

• beautiful

  khoobsoorat

  خوبصورت

  What a beautiful day.

Phone and internet words with Urdu meaning

Most of these are the same in both languages. Your job is to say them the English way.

• message

  paighaam

  پیغام

  I sent you a message.

• call

  call

  کال

  Sorry, I missed your call.

• number

  number

  نمبر

  What’s your number?

• charger

  charger

  چارجر

  Can I borrow your charger?

• battery

  battery

  بیٹری

  My battery is almost dead.

• signal

  signal

  سگنل

  There’s no signal here.

• password

  password

  پاس ورڈ

  I forgot my password.

• voice note

  voice note

  وائس نوٹ

  She sent me a long voice note.

• to send

  bhejna

  بھیجنا

  Send me the location.

• to reply

  jawaab dena

  جواب دینا

  He hasn’t replied yet.

• to switch on

  on karna

  آن کرنا

  Switch on the Wi-Fi.

• to switch off

  band karna

  بند کرنا

  Please switch off your phones.

Which English words have two Urdu meanings?

These cause the most mistakes, because a learner who knows one meaning reads the other wrongly. It works in both directions: sometimes one English word has two Urdu meanings, and sometimes one Urdu word needs two English ones.

Which English phrases do Pakistanis use differently?

Pakistani English is a real variety of English, and at home these phrases are understood. But in an interview, an email to a foreign company, an IELTS test or a call with a customer abroad, they can confuse people or sound like mistakes. Here is the standard version of each.

If you’re preparing for a call center or office job, our guide to call center interview questions and answers shows which phrases interviewers listen for on a mock call.

How do you remember new English words?

Reading a list feels like learning, but recalling and using a word is what makes it stay. In a well-known 2006 study, students who tested themselves remembered much more a week later than students who re-read.

• Three words a day from a topic you need this week.
• Hear it, say it three times.
• Make your own sentence out loud: “My manager is on leave this week.”
• Recall yesterday’s words before learning new ones: cover the English, look at the Urdu.

Starting from zero? Try Start from Zero. Understand English but can’t speak? Read understand but can’t speak, and learn to stop translating in your head.

Common questions