Urdu Seekhiye

In this episode, learn how to figure out whether a noun in Urdu is feminine or masculine. Listen until the end to see if Shireen passes Travis' quiz of some really difficult nouns in Urdu. We realize there are some really difficult words in this episode so be sure to download the free PDF that comes with this episode. 

In this episode Travis and Shireen focus on grammar, specifically the relative pronouns in Urdu. Can you provide example sentences of your own from this lesson? Be sure to share below them with us on our website: www.urduseekhiye.com/jo. Make sure to download the free handout as it contains various examples mentioned in the episode. Plus you can find out how to say the numbers 52 and 64, which we clearly didn’t know how to say during the episode. Also, stay tuned for a short lesson on how to say all the numbers in Urdu.

This episode does not fit into our theme of beginner episodes, but with all that's happening in the United States, we had to include this poem on the subject of the Black Lives Matter movement. This poem is by Aslam Gurdaspuri (a living poet). He can be found on Facebook if you want to learn more about him and see the complete poem.The YouTube video of the news anchor reciting the poem can be found HERE.   (he starts around 2:36)The music in the intro & outro is by Mughal-e-Funk, the track is called Babar.A special thank you to Naeema for her translation of this poem and for sharing her insightful interpretations which we hope will spark your interest in Urdu.We would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please feel free to go to the website www.urduseekhiye.com/e20 or find us on any of our social media pages. Of course you can also email Shireen directly at Shireen@UrduSeekhiye.com. 

In this episode Shireen and Travis show you how to haggle with shop keepers, a practice very common in South Asia. You'll hear key vocabulary such as too expensive, show me,  how much,  price,  to buy, and many more. Be sure to download the handout for this episode from our website: www.urduseekhiye.com/e19.Have any questions, post them on the discussion section of the website or email Shireen directly: shireen@urduseekhiye.com.Be sure to also check out the Kingtox episode that goes more deeply into the word "vālā."

In this episode we learn how to work with object pronouns in Urdu using the extended oblique case. If you're not a fan of grammar (like myself) then you'll find this lesson very helpful as we use several examples to break down the grammar concept. Be sure to download the handout from episode 18's page. www.urduseekhiye.com/e18 otherwise you might find yourself a bit lost. Also be sure to show us some love by rating us on iTunes and commenting in the discussion boards! Thank you for listening!!

In this episode we partner with Mahwash Rehman from Bachpan ki Kahaniyan, a podcast retelling children's stories in Urdu. It's a great resource for those who already have some exposure to Urdu, but want to improve their vocabulary (like Shireen).Want to learn more about the women's cricket team in Pakistan? Check out Mahwash's book: Women in Green. If you want to hear Mahwash in her element check out her reciting poetry in Urdu.                                                                                ~*~In this episode Mahwash and Shireen talk about the time. The vocabulary in this episode includes time (waqt), quarter past (savā), morning (subh), to get up (uṭhnā), to fill (bharnā), and much more. Be sure to answer the questions from this episode (in the discussion section on our site). How would you say the following?I have to get up in half an hour.It's six forty-five PM....but first, I have to eat breakfast. (download the free handout to learn how to say breakfast)I eat lunch from 1 PM to 2:30 PM.Be

We are living in different times right now. This episode will better prepare you to ask others how they are doing health-wise and whether they are washing their hands and doing their part by staying home. Vocabulary from this episode includes, health, social distancing, with care, with caution, flu, cough, and fever among many others. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the discussion section of the episode page: https://urduseekhiye.com/e17/ Also visit the page to download the extremely helpful PDF guide. Did we mention it's FREE?Thank you for learning Urdu with US!

In this episode I'm joined by a loyal listener, Alessia. Listen to this episode to learn more about why she's learning Urdu. Did I mention she's Italian!? She's a great example of how no language is too difficult to learn - she speaks at least three other languages. In this episode we show you how to ask someone why he/she is so late, and how to apologize when you are late. Remember to visit the website to let us know how you like the episode. www.urduseekhiye.com/e16

Nayā sāl mubārak ho! In this episode learn how to wish someone a happy new year. In this episode Sara joins me again, and since she's just returned from Pakistan she shares a bit about her trip to Pakistan. Do you want to know more about her trip? Feel free to ask your questions in the discussion section of the site: www.urduseekhiye.com/e15.Happy New Year! Please help us spread the word about this podcast, so others can benefit too! Shukriya!

In this episode, Naeema joins us from Pakistan! She and I discuss how you can ask someone what they do for a living. The vocabulary in this episode allows you to ask someone how long they have been doing a certain activity, singing, writing, working, etc. As always, we highly encourage participation so be sure to visit our website to download the handout for E14 (www.urduseekhiye.com/e14) and to provide responses to the questions in this episode. Also, be sure to watch the YouTube video on the pronunciation of the Urdu alphabet: https://urduseekhiye.com/urdu-alphabet-pronunciation/

In this episode Leah, a polyglot, joins us from Germany. Leah, one of our listeners, was kind enough to share her story (listen to the end of E11 to hear it) with the Urdu Seekhiye community. Today, Leah and I share useful phrases that will come in handy when talking over long distances (over Skype or Whatsapp).In this episode you’ll learn how to say the following in Urdu:How is everyone doing?I can’t see you. | You are not visibleCan you say that again, you got cut off? | You got disconnected.Your voice is choppy. | You are getting cut off.I don’t want to offend you, but …  |  I understand what you are saying, but ...We will have to agree to disagree.I tried to hide it, but I was truly blown away at how well Leah has mastered the Urdu language, and by her reasons for learning it.Be sure to leave us your comments in the discussion section. If you'd like to be on an episode, let us know! Also, please do take a minute to complete the survey available on our website!

In this episode, Sara and I talk about how you can ask where something is. You will also learn a little bit about the DC train system (only a little). The vocabulary words from this episode include near, far, stop sign, left, right, tonight, don't know, and much more. Be sure to follow Sara, my guest for this episode. She is a talented artist, and her work can be found on instagram (@whimsicalarts93) and  Facebook (@beyondgalaxiesart). Be sure to answer the three questions on the website: www.urduseekhiye.com/e12. We LOVE hearing from you!  

In this episode, learn about how to discuss the weather and ask others whether they like the heat (or the summer). Some of the vocabulary in this episode include summer, rain, weather, picture and biryani. Be sure to visit the website for the free PDF handouts. www.urduseekhiye.com/e11 Side note, Urdu Seekhiye will be at the DC State Fair in September. If you happen to visit the state fair, be sure to come by and say hi! We'll be looking for future interviewees. Intro & Outro music by Mugal-e-Funk, the track is Babar.

STEP 1: Watch the Kingtox Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYjF-BUuz7E. STEP 2: Enjoy listening to Episode 10 - part 2 :) STEP 3: Download the handout for this episode on our website - www.urduseekhiye.com/e10 In this episode, Shireen translates the funny (and viral) Kingtox Commercial. Some of the vocabulary words in this episode are: right hand side, spoon, tea, and understand. We also cover how to make future tense statements in Urdu. As always, let us know how you liked this episode by either starting a discussion on our website or by following us on social media. Shukria!! www.urduseekhiye.com

STEP 1: Watch the Kingtox Commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYjF-BUuz7E. STEP 2: Enjoy listening to Episode 10 :) STEP 3: Download the handout for this on our website: www.urduseekhiye.com/e10 In this episode, Shireen translates the funny (and viral) Kingtox Commercial. Some of the vocabulary words in this episode are: right hand side, spoon, tea, and understand. We also cover how to make future tense statements in Urdu.   As always, let us know how you liked this episode by either starting a discussion on our website or by following us on social media. Shukria!! www.urduseekhiye.com Twitter & Instagram: @UrduSeekhiye

In this episode Anjum and I show you how to ask someone how they get to work, and how to tell someone that you're unemployed. These are the questions for this episode: How would you say the following in Urdu? How do you make biryani? I operate a business. That is an easy task. This is very fragile. (fragile = nāzuk) I go by bus, car, train, metro, etc. Remember to post your answers either on the episode page or record your responses using the voice message tool on our website. https://urduseekhiye.com/e09

In this episode, learn how to ask someone what type of food they like - more specifically whether they like meat. Humaira and Shireen also talk about what they can and cannot do. Vocabulary words covered in this episode include type, meat, to like, to try, besides, and to cook. Be sure to download the handout for this episode. Also, check out our brand new website and be sure to begin discussions at the bottom of each episode page. Questions? Email info@urduseekhiye.com

In this episode you'll learn how to ask anyone how his/her day is going. Download the free handout here: https://app.box.com/s/a4b7wikykun2ajbvqhbgussx26ox2z6n Be sure to follow us on Social Media for regular updates: Twitter: @UrduSeekhiye Instagram: @UrduSeekhiye YouTube: https://YouTube.com/UrduSeekhiye Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrduSeekhiye

In this episode you'll learn how to ask someone how many brothers and sisters he/she has. We have some fun and easy questions at the end of the episode for you to answer. We'll post the answers on our social media pages so be sure to check those out. Download the transcript for this episode HERE. Be sure to follow us on Social Media for regular updates: Twitter: @UrduSeekhiye Instagram: @UrduSeekhiye YouTube: /UrduSeekhiye Facebook: /UrduSeekhiye

In this episode learn how to ask anyone how many brothers and sisters she has. This episode shows you how to have this conversation informally - with the informal you - tum. Be sure to start a conversation on this topic on our website.