ناشْتا
nāśtāmasculine
In Urdu, breakfast is ناشْتا (nāśtā). Wiktionary also lists ناشْتَہ (nāśta) and کَلیوا (kalevā).
Meaning: first meal of the day (noun)
Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ناشْتا | nāśtā | masculine |
| ناشْتَہ | nāśta | masculine |
| کَلیوا | kalevā | masculine |
| نَہاری | nahārī | feminine |
| چاشْت | cāśt | masculine |
The word refers to the first meal of the day. To express the action of eating breakfast, use the noun ناشْتا with the verb کرنا (to do), forming the phrase ناشتا کرنا (to have breakfast).
Which one should you use?
While ناشْتا and ناشْتَہ are both used for breakfast, کَلیوا (kalevā) and نَہاری (nahārī) refer to specific types of meals. نَہاری is a feminine noun, whereas the others are masculine. چاشْت (cāśt) is another masculine form provided for breakfast.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun ناشْتا is masculine. To form the plural, use ناشتے.
How do you pronounce it?
nāśtā
Did you know?
- The phrase ناشْتا shares a root with the Persian word for 'fasting', reflecting the historical idea that breakfast is the act of 'breaking a fast'.
- In many households, instead of a light 'breakfast', people eat نَہاری, a heavy, slow-cooked meat stew that is traditionally eaten as a hearty morning meal.
- In Pakistani culture, the 'breakfast' experience often centers around چائے (tea), which is frequently considered the primary component of ناشْتا rather than a side drink.
Examples in context
- آپ نے ناشتہ کیا؟Have you had breakfast?
- میں صبح کے کھانے کے لئے تیار ہو رہا ہوں۔I am preparing for breakfast.
- مجھے ناشْتا بہت پسند ہے۔mujhe nashta bohat pasand hai.I like breakfast very much.
- میں ناشْتا کر رہا ہوں۔mein nashta kar raha hoon.I am having breakfast.
Example conversation
Ali and Aisha are in the kitchen in the morning.
- علی Aliعائشہ، ناشْتا کہاں ہے؟Aisha, nashta kahan hai?Aisha, where is breakfast?
- عائشہ Ayeshaمیز پر رکھا ہے۔Mez par rakha hai.It is on the table.
- علی Aliشکریہ، میں ناشْتا کرتا ہوں۔Shukriya, main nashta karta hoon.Thanks, I will have breakfast.
- عائشہ Ayeshaٹھیک ہے، علی۔Theek hai, Ali.Alright, Ali.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “breakfast” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
