پریشان
pareśān/pə.ɾeː.ʃɑːn/
The English word "confused" can be translated into Urdu as پریشان (pareśān).
پریشان is used to describe a state of being unable to think clearly or understand something. It is a common term that carries a dual meaning: it can mean being "confused" or "perplexed," but it also frequently describes being "worried" or "distressed."
Meaning: unable to think clearly or understand (adj)
Which one should you use?
While پریشان is the standard Urdu term, speakers often use the borrowed English word کنفیوزڈ in casual conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the sentence "I am confused" (or "I am worried"), you combine the adjective with the verb ہوں, resulting in the phrase پریشان ہوں.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /pə.ɾeː.ʃɑːn/ and has three syllables.
Did you know?
- The term can be used to describe physical objects that are 'scattered' or 'disordered', not just a person's mental state.
- The word پریشان traces its roots back to Classical Persian, highlighting the deep historical influence of Persian literature and vocabulary on the Urdu language.
- A speaker using پریشان is not just stating a lack of understanding, but is often signaling a state of anxiety. In many social contexts, it functions more as a cry for empathy than a statement of fact.
Examples in context
- سوال دیکھ کر میں پریشان ہو گیا۔Sawal dekh kar main pareshan ho gaya.I became confused after seeing the question.
Example conversation
Zainab and Omar are looking at a complicated map.
- عمر Omarزینب، کیا آپ پریشان ہیں؟Zainab, kya aap pareshan hain?Zainab, are you confused?
- زینب Zainabہاں، مجھے راستہ سمجھ نہیں آ رہا۔Haan, mujhe rasta samajh nahi aa raha.Yes, I don't understand the way.
- عمر Omarمیں آپ کی مدد کرتا ہوں۔Main aap ki madad karta hoon.I will help you.
- زینب Zainabشکریہ، عمر۔Shukriya, Omar.Thank you, Omar.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry پریشان, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries پریشان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
