At first glance, the word harf (حرف) in Urdu seems simple. It means a single letter of the alphabet. Its plural, hurūf (حروف), comes up in phrases like hurūf-e-tahajjī (حروفِ تہجی) — the alphabet we all learned as children. In grammar, a harf (حرف) c ...continue reading

The Story of a Skyward Idio ...continue reading

Where language, love, and soul meet in Urdu’s words for the hear ...continue reading

The monsoon told through Sanskrit, Persian, and Urd ...continue reading

You must have heard the two common Urdu words for eyeglasses — chashma (chashmā) and ainak (‘ainak). And perhaps you also know that chashm (چشم) comes from Persian and means “eye,” while ‘ain (عین) comes from Arabic and also means “eye.” Interestingl ...continue reading

August 15th, India’s Independence Day, is celebrated with grandeur and heartfelt pride. The Urdu language holds a profound historical and emotional bond with India’s struggle for freedom. The revolutionary cry—“Inquilab Zindabad” — became the very so ...continue reading

The moment you hear the word “Fasl,” don’t the images of lush green fields, the golden shimmer of ripening crops, and the sweat-drenched smiles of hardworking farmers come alive in your mind? Its plural “Faslein” evokes a sense of abundance and harve ...continue reading

Today, let me introduce you to a word that at times bows down in humility, at times appears in sacred rituals, and often finds itself resting gently on the forehead of a lover in Urdu poetry. Just a simple four-letter word — “Niyaaz” نیاز — but it ...continue reading

Ever come across a word that can walk you into a royal court, summon you before a head constable, charm you with collection of Ghazals of your favourite poet , and then tuck you into a soft bed for an afternoon nap ...continue reading

Over time, not only have fashion trends changed, but the words used for different garments have also undergone fascinating transformations. Behind each name lies a story — woven from threads of culture, history, and language ...continue reading