Basic Words

1. جی ہاں

   ji haan

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. جی نہیں

   ji nahin

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. براہ کرم

   baraah-e-karam

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

4. شکریہ

   shukriya

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. سنیے

   suniye

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

6. معاف کیجیے

   maaf kijiye

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

7. ٹھیک ہے

   theek hai

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. مجھے سمجھ نہیں آیا

   mujhe samajh nahin aaya

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. سمجھ گیا

   samajh gaya

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says سمجھ گئی (samajh gayi); perfective forms agree with the speaker's gender.

10. ہو گیا

    ho gaya

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. براہ کرم انتظار کیجیے

    baraah-e-karam intezaar kijiye

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. ایک منٹ

    ek minat

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. ایک بالغ، براہ کرم

    ek baaligh, baraah-e-karam

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. میں نے بکنگ نہیں کرائی

    main ne booking nahin karaai

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. میں نے بکنگ کرائی ہے

    main ne booking karaai hai

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. میری مدد کیجیے

    meri madad kijiye

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. ایک بار پھر کہیے

    ek baar phir kahiye

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. براہ کرم آہستہ بولیے

    baraah-e-karam aahista boliye

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. میں تھوڑا تھوڑا بولتا ہوں

    main thora thora bolta hoon

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

    Grammar Note

    A woman says بولتی ہوں (bolti hoon).

20. کیا آپ انگریزی بولتے ہیں؟

    kya aap angrezi bolte hain?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    Use آپ (aap) with strangers; تم and تو are for close relationships only.

21. یہ

    yeh

    This

    Usage

    For something near you; show it while pointing at the item

22. وہ

    woh

    That

    Usage

    Urdu has only a two-way distinction — near "yeh" and far "woh" — so one word covers both "that" and "that over there"

23. یہاں

    yahaan

    Here

    Usage

    For indicating where to stop or where to put something

24. وہاں

    wahaan

    There

    Usage

    For a place away from you; Urdu does not split "there" and "over there"

25. میں

    main

    I / me

    Usage

    Points at yourself. The same spelling is also the postposition "men" (in/inside), so show it while gesturing at yourself

26. آپ

    aap

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite second person for strangers; this is the only one a traveller needs

27. ساتھ میں

    saath mein

    Together

    Usage

    For showing that you are with someone, or that you want to sit together

28. بس، کافی ہے

    bas, kaafi hai

    That's enough

    Usage

    Show it to stop someone serving you more, or when offers keep coming

29. فوراً

    fauran

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals urgency — stronger than "abhi" (now)

30. ایک آدمی

    ek aadmi

    One person

    Usage

    For giving a headcount at an eatery or ticket window

31. دو لوگ

    do log

    Two people

    Usage

    For stating how many people need a table or room

32. تین لوگ

    teen log

    Three people

    Usage

    For stating how many people need a table or room

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