30 Urdu Words That Are Rare And Will Enhance Your Vocabulary

The Urdu language is one of the most beautiful sounding languages that one can learn. Even Urdu is still preferred as a medium of poetry and prose even by non-native speakers because of its alleviating nature. We use so many beautiful Urdu words in our daily lives that we aren't aware of.

The official tongue of Pakistan, Urdu is also one of the 15 languages recognized in the 1950 Indian constitution. Urdu has been characterized as the written or literary variant of Hindustani that is used by Muslims. It is written in a modified form of the Arabic alphabet, and its Indic vocabulary has been endowed by borrowings from Arabic and Persian.

Grammatically and phonetically, however, Urdu is an Indic language. About 100 million persons in Pakistan and India understand Urdu. Despite its Persian script, Urdu is an Indian language. Urdu was first spoken in the Deccan Region which is also known as Hyderabad in India.

During the Nizam dynasty in 1737 AD Urdu was the national language of Deccan Region alongside Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Urdu and Hindi are two quite similar languages but written in different scripts. Both the languages have been derived from the Lashkari language originated in India later known as Hindustani language.

Here's our list of 30 beautiful Urdu words that will enhance your vocabulary and help you use the Urdu words more often. Let us begin:

1. Saba

The connotation of the Urdu word Saba is a breeze. The origin of the word is Arabic. It has various meanings such as softness and youth fullness. In simple words Saba means wind.

2. Imtihaan

This Urdu word stands for examination. It is a very renowned Urdu word and I'm sure you must have heard this word a lot of times. Imtihaan is also the name of a 1974 Hindi film.

3. Ilzaam

It means an accusation or blame. We use this word on our daily basis and often this Urdu word is a part of the lyrics of the songs.

4. Tehzeeb

The correct meaning of Tehzeeb in English is culture, etiquette, and manners. So it's used to denote training, promoting good manners, discipline and so on.

5. Fakhta

Fakhta is a unique Urdu word with impressive meaning. It belongs to Arabic origin and means pacifist or dove.

6. Hosh

It means consciousness, a cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself and your situation. Jagjit Singh's ghazal, 'Hosh walon ko khabar kya bekhudi kya cheez hai' is a very apt usage of the Urdu word.

7. Bahaar

The Urdu word bahaar means Springtime in English. it is often used in conjunction with romantic situations. The song 'Baharon phool barsao, mera mehboob aaya hai' is a very famous usage of this Urdu word.

8. Qayamat

Qayamat is the word for “judgement day.” It is used to refer to the day (at the end of the world) when each individual will come to know of all their good and bad deeds. In daily conversation, it is also used to describe something unfortunate happening or happened to someone.

9. Ibaarat

Ibaarat stands for composition context, phraseology. How something is expressed in words. It describes the power of words and how words can manipulate meaning.

10. Maujood

Maujood means present or available. It's a renowned word and it is used in day to day conversations. The main usage of this Urdu word is in conjunction with the presence of the Almighty.

11. Maqbool

The meaning of this Urdu word is favourite which means a person or thing regarded with peculiar favour. It is also the name of a Hindi film. Other similar words for Maqbool are admired, adored, etc.

12. Parcham

One of the most beautiful Urdu words is Parcham, which means banner or flag. Its origin is Persian. In old times, the rulers used to say, 'Yahan par humara parcham lehrayega'.

13. Bakhuda

Bakhuda means swearing by God so that you are believed to be true in situations when it seems unbelievable. In other words, it means with God or in god's presence, which is merely known as 'by God.'

14. Pasban

Pasban means gatekeeper or guard. 'Wo santari humara, wo pasban humara humara' is a popular line from the song Saare Jahan Se Acha. This Urdu word has sentry, protector, and guard as synonyms.

15. Daulat

The Urdu word Daulat means money or wealth and is a very prominent word. Most of you all must have heard the lines in the Jagjit Singh's ghazal, 'Ye daulat bhi le lo, ye shohrat bhi le lo.'

16. Shohrat

The Urdu word shohrat means fame or prestige. You must have heard this word in many Bollywood songs and in the Ghazal as mentioned above.

17. Murood

The Urdu word Murood means tame. It's an adjective which means something which is not dangerous or frightened of people, domesticated. Synonyms are docile, domestic, tamed.

18. Shakhsiyat

Shakhsiyat means personality. When we describe the nature of a person, we often use this term to denote the characters of an individual.

19. Kasoor

This Urdu word means faulted. When something is done wrong or someone is at the fault. Synonym of this word is Ghalti.

20. Shiddat

Shiddat means intensity. How much are you determined about something and how strong is your will power?

21. Laazmi

Laazmi is an Urdu word which means compulsory. Its origin is roman Urdu. Synonyms of this word are mandatory, necessary, required etc.

22. Shehzada

Shehzada is an Urdu word which means prince and is very familiar to us. It is often used in conjunction with romantic situations. 'Waadiyan ishq se aaya hai mera shehzada' is a popular usage in the song.

23. Mukhtasar

It means 'brief', 'short' or 'concise', to be more precise. This word appears in a song called 'Mukhtasar Mulaqat Hai'.

24. Maqam

The Urdu word maqam means position. It is used to denote the ownership of a person.

25. Ijazat

It is a very familiar word that we use very frequently. It means permission or approval.

26. Masroof

Masroof is a beautiful Urdu word with an Arabic origin which means a person is devoted to some particular task.

27. Shad

The meaning of Shad is happy and joyful. Its origin is Persian. Other similar meanings are cheerful, bright and light-hearted.

28. Zaid

Zaid means growth, abundance, one who makes progress. It is an Arabic originated word which means to prosper. Something which is meant to flourish.

29. Veraan

The Urdu word Veraan is solitude. Synonyms for this word are confinement, detachment, isolation etc. When someone wants to be free from the burden in life.

30. Inteqaam

The Urdu word Inteqaam means retribution. Similarly, known words are revenge or Badla.

Here comes the end of our list of 30 beautiful Urdu words. Urdu has been called one of the most beautiful and sophisticated languages spoken around the world. It is why Urdu speakers are such a delight to listen to and just listening to Urdu poetry or music, it makes you want to learn Urdu.

Its essence is something that attracts its readers. Here is an interesting fact, the majority of native Urdu speakers are indeed Indian. Urdu is commonly spoken by Muslims in Lucknow, Hyderabad, Rampur, Meerut, Moradabad and Bhopal.

Urdu is also spoken in Karachi by the Mohajir people. Pakistan has declared Urdu as its official language even though Urdu is spoken as the first language by only 8% of its population.

When the Delhi Sultanate expanded south to the Deccan Plateau, the literary language was influenced by the languages spoken in the south, by Punjabi and Haryanvi, and by Sufi and court custom.

Such is the magnificence of the Urdu language. Enjoy learning these beautiful Urdu words!

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