Vehicles

1. گاڑی

   gaadi

   Vehicle / Car

   Usage

   The broadest word for a vehicle — car or train depending on context. Safe when you are not sure what will turn up

2. کار

   kaar

   Car

   Usage

   Use it when you specifically mean a passenger car — the word you need with ride apps and travel agents

3. بس

   bas

   Bus

   Usage

   Covers city buses and intercity coaches. It sounds identical to "bas" meaning "enough", so context decides

4. کوچ

   coach

   Long-distance coach

   Usage

   The reserved-seat intercity coach. Choose an air-conditioned operator — show this word at the terminal counter

5. ویگن

   wagon

   Shared minibus

   Usage

   The small shared bus on a fixed route. Cheap but packed to the roof — the conductor shouts the destination

6. میٹرو بس

   metro bus

   Metrobus

   Usage

   The elevated dedicated-lane bus in Lahore, Islamabad and Multan. You buy a card and pass a gate, and it skips the traffic entirely

7. رکشہ

   riksha

   Auto-rickshaw

   Usage

   In Pakistan "riksha" on its own means the motorised three-wheeler. There is usually no meter, so agree the fare before you get in

8. آٹو رکشہ

   auto riksha

   Three-wheeler taxi

   Usage

   The fuller form of "riksha", useful when you want to rule out a pedal-powered one

9. چنگچی

   chingchi

   Chingchi shared rickshaw

   Usage

   A motorbike front grafted onto a bench-seat rear, named after the Chinese engine brand. It runs a fixed route at a flat, cheap fare

10. سوزوکی

    suzuki

    Pickup shared van

    Usage

    A small pickup with benches in the bed — the brand name has become the vehicle's name. Used for short hops and for moving luggage

11. ٹیکسی

    taiksi

    Taxi

    Usage

    Airports have an official counter. If you flag one on the street, settle the fare first

12. موٹر سائیکل

    motor cycle

    Motorcycle

    Usage

    The main way people get around Pakistani cities, including app-hailed bike rides. Helmets are compulsory

13. سائیکل

    cycle

    Bicycle

    Usage

    Rentable in mountain destinations such as Hunza. Dangerous on the main roads of the big cities

14. ٹرین

    tren

    Train

    Usage

    The Karachi–Lahore trunk line is the main one. Classes run from economy to AC sleeper, and delays are common

15. ہوائی جہاز

    hawai jahaaz

    Airplane

    Usage

    Literally "air ship". Flights to the northern mountains are often cancelled for weather. An airport is "hawai adda"

16. کشتی

    kashti

    Boat

    Usage

    The small craft you take across the Indus or out on Attabad Lake

17. بحری جہاز

    bahri jahaaz

    Ship

    Usage

    A large vessel. "Jahaaz" on its own can also mean an aircraft, so "bahri" (maritime) is added to mean a ship

18. فیری

    feri

    Ferry

    Usage

    For island crossings out of Karachi harbour. Show the word at the ticket window

19. ایمبولینس

    ambulance

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Show this in an emergency. In Pakistan the fastest ambulances are often run by private charities

20. ٹرک

    truck

    Truck

    Usage

    The riotously painted "truck art" is Pakistan's signature folk art. Ask the driver before you photograph it

21. تانگہ

    taanga

    Horse cart

    Usage

    The two-wheeled horse carriage. Once a mainstay of city transport, it now survives mainly in old quarters and country towns, largely for visitors

22. کرائے کی گاڑی

    kiraye ki gaadi

    Rental car

    Usage

    Normally hired with a driver — confirm at the outset whether self-drive is what you are getting

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