کالا
kālā/kɑː.lɑː/
The English word black is translated into Urdu as کالا (kālā). Wiktionary also lists سِیاہ (siyāh).
Meaning: absorbing all light (adj)
Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| کالا | kālā | /kɑː.lɑː/ (Standard, Urdu) |
| سِیاہ | siyāh |
Both کالا and سِیاہ are used to describe the color black, which absorbs all light. These words can also function as nouns to mean the color black itself. Additionally, the noun زَن٘گی can be used to refer to a dark-skinned person.
Which one should you use?
کالا is the standard way to describe the color, while سِیاہ is a more literary and formal version of the word.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the adjective کالا, it changes to کالے if it precedes a plural noun or is used in an oblique case, such as after a preposition.
How do you pronounce it?
kālā is pronounced as /kɑː.lɑː/.
Did you know?
- In many contexts, the Sanskrit-derived word کالا can also mean 'time' or 'death', depending on the specific phonetic nuances used in older literature.
- The word کالا comes from a Proto-Dravidian root, showing that Urdu has borrowed concepts from the languages of Southern India via Sanskrit.
- In formal writing, using سیاہ instead of کالا is a way to signal a higher level of education or a more classical literary style.
Examples in context
- کیا وہ کالا بیگ آپ کا ہے؟Is that black bag yours?This sentence demonstrates the use of کالا when describing a black bag.Tatoeba #2104952 by nabeel_tahir, translation #68385 by CK
- وہ لڑکا سیاہ بالوں والا ہے۔He is the boy with black hair.
- آسمان کالا نظر آ رہا ہے۔aasman kala nazar aa raha hai.The sky is looking black.
- اس کا لباس کالا ہے۔us ka libas kala hai.His outfit is black.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hamza and Fatima are discussing a new car.
- حمزہ Hamzaفاطمہ، کیا آپ کو کالا رنگ اچھا لگتا ہے؟Fatima, kya aap ko kala rang acha lagta hai?Fatima, do you like the color black?
- فاطمہ Fatimaہاں، کالا رنگ بہت خوبصورت ہوتا ہے۔Haan, kala rang bohat khoobsurat hota hai.Yes, the color black is very beautiful.
- حمزہ Hamzaپھر ہم کالا رنگ ہی خریدیں گے۔Phir hum kala rang hi khareedain gay.Then we will buy the black color.
- فاطمہ Fatimaٹھیک ہے، حمزہ۔Theek hai, Hamza.Alright, Hamza.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “black” translations and entries کالا, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries کالا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
