Urdu, a Central Indo-Aryan language, is widely spoken in Pakistan and India. The Urdu alphabet is an extension of the Persian script, which is itself a derivative of the Arabic script. Learning the Urdu alphabet is essential for reading, writing, and speaking in Urdu.

Overview of the Urdu Alphabet

• Script Type: Perso-Arabic
• Number of Letters: 38 letters
• Unique Features: Urdu script is written from right to left and comprises both joined and non-joined letters. It includes several letters to represent sounds specific to Urdu and Persian.

Detailed Breakdown of the Urdu Alphabet

Basic Letters

The Urdu alphabet consists of 38 basic letters, some of which have more than one pronunciation based on their placement in a word.

1. ا (Alif)

   • Pronunciation: Silent or like ‘a’ in “apple.”
   • Example Word: “آدمی” (Aadmi) – meaning “Man”

2. ب (Be)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘b’ in “bat.”
   • Example Word: “بچہ” (Bachha) – meaning “Child”

3. پ (Pe)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘p’ in “pot.”
   • Example Word: “پانی” (Paani) – meaning “Water”

4. ت (Te)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘t’ in “top.”
   • Example Word: “تصویر” (Tasveer) – meaning “Picture”

5. ٹ (Tte)

   • Pronunciation: A retroflex ‘t,’ like ‘t’ in “stop” with the tongue curled.
   • Example Word: “ٹماٹر” (Tamaatar) – meaning “Tomato”

6. ث (Se)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “sun.”
   • Example Word: “ثقافت” (Saqaafat) – meaning “Culture”

7. ج (Je)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘j’ in “jug.”
   • Example Word: “جواب” (Jawaab) – meaning “Answer”

8. چ (Che)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘ch’ in “check.”
   • Example Word: “چای” (Chai) – meaning “Tea”

9. ح (He)

   • Pronunciation: Like ‘h’ in “hat.”
   • Example Word: “حق” (Haq) – meaning “Right”

10. خ (Khe)

    • Pronunciation: A throaty ‘kh’, like ‘ch’ in the Scottish “loch.”
    • Example Word: “خبر” (Khabar) – meaning “News”

11. د (Dal)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘d’ in “dog.”
    • Example Word: “دنیا” (Duniya) – meaning “World”

12. ڈ (Ddal)

    • Pronunciation: A retroflex ‘d.’
    • Example Word: “ڈاکٹر” (Doctor) – meaning “Doctor”

13. ذ (Zal)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘z’ in “maze.”
    • Example Word: “ذریعہ” (Zariya) – meaning “Source”

14. ر (Re)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘r’ in “run.”
    • Example Word: “راستہ” (Raasta) – meaning “Path”

15. ڑ (Rre)

    • Pronunciation: A retroflex ‘r.’
    • Example Word: Rarely used in native words.

16. ز (Ze)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘z’ in “zebra.”
    • Example Word: “زندگی” (Zindagi) – meaning “Life”

17. ژ (Zhe)

    • Pronunciation: Similar to ‘s’ in “pleasure.”
    • Example Word: “ژالہ” (Zhaala) – meaning “Hail”

18. س (Seen)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘s’ in “sun.”
    • Example Word: “سورج” (Sooraj) – meaning “Sun”

19. ش (Sheen)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘sh’ in “shun.”
    • Example Word: “شیر” (Sheer) – meaning “Milk”

20. ص (Swaad)

    • Pronunciation: Similar to ‘s’ in “sun.”
    • Example Word: “صحت” (Sehat) – meaning “Health”

21. ض (Zwaad)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘z’ in “azure.”
    • Example Word: “ضرورت” (Zaroorat) – meaning “Necessity”

22. ط (To’e)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘t’ in “top.”
    • Example Word: “طاقت” (Taaqat) – meaning “Power”

23. ظ (Zo’e)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘z’ in “zebra.”
    • Example Word: “ظاہر” (Zaahir) – meaning “Obvious”

24. ع (Ain)

    • Pronunciation: A guttural sound, no direct English equivalent.
    • Example Word: “علم” (Ilm) – meaning “Knowledge”

25. غ (Ghain)

    • Pronunciation: Similar to French ‘r’ in “rien.”
    • Example Word: “غصہ” (Ghussa) – meaning “Anger”

26. ف (Fe)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘f’ in “far.”
    • Example Word: “فقیر” (Faqr) – meaning “Poor”

27. ق (Qaaf)

    • Pronunciation: A deep ‘k’ sound, as in “Quran.”
    • Example Word: “قلم” (Qalam) – meaning “Pen”

28. ک (Kaaf)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘k’ in “kite.”
    • Example Word: “کتاب” (Kitaab) – meaning “Book”

29. گ (Gaaf)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘g’ in “game.”
    • Example Word: “گھر” (Ghar) – meaning “House”

30. ل (Laam)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘l’ in “lamp.”
    • Example Word: “لمحہ” (Lamha) – meaning “Moment”

31. م (Meem)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘m’ in “man.”
    • Example Word: “محبت” (Mohabbat) – meaning “Love”

32. ن (Noon)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘n’ in “nice.”
    • Example Word: “نام” (Naam) – meaning “Name”

33. و (Wao)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘v’ or ‘w’ in “vow” or “wow.”
    • Example Word: “ورقہ” (Waraqah) – meaning “Paper”

34. ہ (He)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘h’ in “hello.”
    • Example Word: “ہاتھ” (Haath) – meaning “Hand”

35. ھ (Do Chashmi He)

    • Pronunciation: A silent letter, indicates aspiration.
    • Example Word: “مہربان” (Meharbaan) – meaning “Kind”

36. ء (Hamza)

    • Pronunciation: A glottal stop.
    • Example Word: “مء” (Maa) – meaning “Water”

37. ی (Choti Ye)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘y’ in “yes.”
    • Example Word: “یکتا” (Yakta) – meaning “Unique”

38. ے (Bari Ye)

    • Pronunciation: Like ‘ay’ in “stay.”
    • Example Word: “بے” (Bay) – meaning “Without”

Diacritics

Urdu uses diacritics (auxiliary symbols) to denote short vowels and other modifications.

1. Zabar (َ )

   • Pronunciation: Short ‘a’ sound, as in “bat.”
   • Example Word: “کَر” (Kar) – meaning “Do”

2. Pesh (ِ )

   • Pronunciation: Short ‘e’ or ‘i’ sound, as in “bed” or “bit.”
   • Example Word: “دِل” (Dil) – meaning “Heart”

3. Zer (ُ )

   • Pronunciation: Short ‘u’ sound, as in “put.”
   • Example Word: “غُصہ” (Gussa) – meaning “Anger”

4. Do Zabar (ً )

   • Pronunciation: An ‘an’ sound, as in “fan.”
   • Example Word: “آسمانً” (Aasmaan) – meaning “Sky”

5. Do Zer (ٍ )

   • Pronunciation: An ‘in’ sound, as in “bin.”
   • Example Word: “پھولٍ” (Phool) – meaning “Flower”

6. Do Pesh (ٌ )

   • Pronunciation: An ‘un’ sound, as in “fun.”
   • Example Word: “کتابٌ” (Kitaab) – meaning “Book”

7. Tanween

   • Pronunciation: Indicates nasalization.
   • Example Word: “آسماں” (Aasmaan) – meaning “Sky” (nasalized)

8. Hamza (ء)

   • Pronunciation: A glottal stop.
   • Example Word: “عِلْمء” (Ilm) – meaning “Knowledge”

9. Madd (ـــــ)

   • Pronunciation: Prolongs the sound of the vowel it’s attached to.
   • Example Word: “سکون” (Sukoon) – using “Madd” to elongate the ‘oo’

10. Jazm ( ْ )

    • Pronunciation: Indicates the absence of a vowel, a sort of consonantal stop.
    • Example Word: “علمْ” (Ilm) – with a stop on ‘m’

11. Tashdeed (ّ)

    • Pronunciation: Indicates a doubling or stress on the consonant it’s placed over.
    • Example Word: “اللّٰہ” (Allah) – doubling of ‘l’

Pronunciation Tips

• Nasal Sounds: The “noon ghunna” (ں) represents a nasal sound.
• Retroflex Sounds: Certain letters (ٹ ڈ ڑ) have retroflex sounds unique to Urdu and other South Asian languages.
• Aspiration: Some letters are aspirated, like “ph” (پھ) and “kh” (کھ).

Practice Exercises

• Listening and Speaking: Engage with audio resources or native speakers to practice pronunciation.
• Writing Practice: Learn to write each letter in its isolated, initial, medial, and final forms.
• Reading Practice: Start with simple texts to familiarize yourself with the script in context.

Additional Resources

• Language Learning Apps: Look for apps that offer Urdu language courses.
• Online Tutorials: Websites and YouTube channels are excellent resources for learning Urdu.
• Language Exchange: Practice with native speakers for improved conversational skills.

Conclusion

Mastering the Urdu alphabet is crucial for effective communication in Urdu. It not only enables reading and writing but also helps in understanding the linguistic nuances and cultural context of the language. Regular practice in speaking, listening, reading, and writing is key to proficiency.