Language/Urdu/Grammar/How-to-Use-Be
Hi Urdu learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will cover the basics of using "be" in Urdu. "Be" is a very important verb in any language and it is essential to know it to make proper sentences. So, let's dive in!
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In Urdu, "be" is the verb equivalent to "to be" in English. It is used in sentences to express existence, identity, possession, or to form the continuous tenses.
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Interrogation & Negation and Question Making.
Present Tense[edit | edit source]
In Urdu, there are two types of present tenses:
Simple Present Tense[edit | edit source]
In the simple present tense, "be" is used just like the English. Take a look at the table below:
| Urdu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ہے | hai | is/am/are |
| ہیں | hain | are |
Let's have a dialogue:
- Person 1: تم پاکستانی ہو۔ (Tum Pakistani ho.)
- Person 2: جی، میں پاکستانی ہوں۔ (Ji, main Pakistani hun.)
Translation:
- Person 1: You are Pakistani.
- Person 2: Yes, I am Pakistani.
Present Continuous Tense[edit | edit source]
In Urdu present continuous tense, "be" is used with present participle "-ing". The table below shows the different forms:
| Urdu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ہے | hai | am/are/is being |
| رہا ہے | raha hai | am/is/are doing |
| رہے ہیں | rahe hain | are doing |
Let's have a dialogue:
- Person 1: تم کیا کر رہے ہو؟ (Tum kya kar rahe ho?)
- Person 2: میں پڑھ رہا ہوں۔ (Main parh raha hun.)
Translation:
- Person 1: What are you doing?
- Person 2: I am reading.
Past Tense[edit | edit source]
In Urdu, the past tense of "be" is used to express a completed action in the past. The table below shows the different forms:
| Urdu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| تھا | tha | was/were |
| تھی | thi | was/were |
| تھے | thay | were |
Let's have a dialogue:
- Person 1: کیا تم کھانا خا کر آئے ہو؟ (Kya tum khana kha kar aye ho?)
- Person 2: جی، میں نے کھانا خا لیا تھا۔ (Ji, main ne khana kha lia tha.)
Translation:
- Person 1: Did you have lunch?
- Person 2: Yes, I had lunch.
Future Tense[edit | edit source]
In Urdu, the future tense of "be" is used to express an action that will occur at a later time. The table below shows the different forms:
| Urdu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ہوگا | hoga | will be |
| ہوگی | hogi | will be |
| ہوں گے | honge | will be |
Let's have a dialogue:
- Person 1: کل کیا کروگے؟ (Kal kya karoge?)
- Person 2: میں کام پر جاؤں گا۔ (Main kaam par jaunga.)
Translation:
- Person 1: What will you do tomorrow?
- Person 2: I will go to work.
Negative Sentences[edit | edit source]
In Urdu, negative sentences are formed by adding the word "نہیں" (nahi) after the verb "be". Take a look at the examples below:
- میں پاکستانی نہیں ہوں۔ (Main Pakistani nahi hun.) - I am not Pakistani.
- وہ کام نہیں کر رہا۔ (Woh kaam nahi kar raha hai.) - He is not working.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we covered the basics of using "be" in Urdu. Keep practicing and you will soon become fluent in using it. Remember to also check out Polyglot Club to find native speakers and ask them any questions. You can also improve your Urdu grammar by checking out the other lessons on the platform.
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Well done on mastering this lesson! Don't miss these related pages to expand your knowledge: Question Words & 0 to A1 Course.
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Negation
- Nouns
- Common Mistakes
- Adjectives
- Conditional Mood
- Future Tense
- How to Use Have
- Pronouns
- Questions
Sources[edit | edit source]
- A Beginner's Guide to Basic Urdu Grammar
- Urdu - Wikipedia
- Hindi-Urdu: A Comprehensive Grammar (Routledge ...