The Urdu alphabet is an essential component of the Urdu script, which is used to write the Urdu language. Urdu is a language primarily spoken in South Asia. It is one of the two official languages of Pakistan, the other being English, and is also one of the 22 scheduled languages of India. Urdu holds a significant cultural and linguistic presence in these countries. The Urdu script is derived from the Persian script, which, in turn, has roots in the Arabic script.
Structure of Urdu Alphabet
The Urdu alphabet is a kind of writing that goes from right to left and has 40 different letters. Unlike usual A, B, C, it doesn’t have big and small letters. Instead, each letter flows into the next, especially when written in a fancy way called Nastaʿlīq. This special way of writing shows how Urdu has changed and developed over time, giving it its special sounds.
| Urdu Alphabet | Pronunciation | Typing Guidance in Google Input |
|---|---|---|
| ا | Alif | a |
| ب | Be | b |
| پ | Pe | p |
| ت | Te | t |
| ٹ | Te (Heavier) | T |
| ث | Se | s |
| ج | Je | j |
| چ | Che | ch |
| ح | He | h |
| خ | Khe | kh |
| د | Daal | d |
| ڈ | Daal (Heavier) | D |
| ذ | Zaal | z |
| ر | Re | r |
| ڑ | Re (Heavier) | R |
| ز | Ze | z |
| ژ | Zhe | zh |
| س | Se | s |
| ش | She | sh |
| ص | Saad | s |
| ض | Zwaad | z |
| ط | Toa | t |
| ظ | Zua | z |
| ع | Ain | |
| غ | Ghain | gh |
| ف | Fe | f |
| ق | Qaaf | q |
| ک | Kaaf | k |
| گ | Gaaf | g |
| ل | Laam | l |
| م | Meem | m |
| ن | Noon | n |
| ں | Noon Ghunnah | n |
| ھ | He | h |
| و | Vao | v |
| ہ | He | h |
| ھ | He (Do Chashmi) | h |
| ء | Hamzah | |
| ی | Ye | y |
| ے | Ye (Barri) | y |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many letters are there in the Urdu alphabet?
The Urdu alphabet comprises 40 distinct letters.
Is Urdu written from left to right or right to left?
Urdu is written from right to left, distinguishing it from languages that use the Latin script.
What is the difference between Urdu and Arabic script?
While Urdu shares its historical roots with the Arabic script, there are notable differences between the two. The calligraphic styles, phonetic nuances, and specific characters set Urdu apart from Arabic. The Nastaʿlīq script, favored for Urdu, contrasts with the Naskh style commonly used for Arabic, highlighting the unique features of each script.
Learn More: Urdu Numbers