Hi all! After a temporary hiatus, we're back with more Urdu lessons. We'll get back into things with some very straightforward material, something that I probably should have already covered: greetings.
There is no direct translation into Urdu for the English word "hello". Instead, Urdu speakers use the standard greet and response used by all Muslims:
- assalaamu alaikum = peace be upon you
- wa alaikum assalaam = peace be upon you too
Similarly, there is no direct translation for the English word "goodbye" in Urdu. Instead, the following phrases can be used:
- Khuda haafiz = God (be your) Protector
- Allah haafiz = God (be your) Protector
- pir milinge = until next time
The phrases "Khuda haafiz" and "Allah haafiz" are equivalent, but one uses the Persian word for "God" ("Khuda") and the other uses the Arabic word for "God" ("Allah").
Some ways of saying "how are you?" include:
- aap kaise/kaisi hain? = how are you? (formal)
- tum kaisa/kaisi hai? = how are you? (informal)
- kya haal hai? = what is (your) condition?
- kaise mizaaj hain? = how are (your) dispositions?
Though the phrase "kya haal hai?" may sound awkward in English, it is as common as "aap kaise/kaisi hain?". In my (limited) personal experience, I have not heard the phrase "kaise mizaaj hain?" very often. Below are some common responses:
- main teek hoon = I'm fine
- sab teek hai = everything's fine
- alhamdulillah = all praise is due to Allah
- aap ki duaa hai = it is your prayer (which makes me well)
All of these are common, but the last one is more formal.
