کھانا
khānā/kʰɑː.nɑː/
The English word "eating" is translated into Urdu as کھانا (khānā).
کھانا refers to the act of consuming food. Because it is a homonym, it can function as the noun meaning "food" or as the infinitive verb meaning "to eat".
Meaning: the act of consuming food (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express continuous actions, the verb کھانا must be conjugated based on the subject. For a masculine subject, use کھا رہا ہے (is eating). For a feminine subject, use کھا رہی ہے (is eating). For plural subjects or to show politeness when addressing "you", use کھا رہے ہیں (are eating). A male speaker saying "I am eating" would use کھا رہا ہوں.
How do you pronounce it?
khānā (two syllables: kʰɑː.nɑː)
Did you know?
- The word کھانا can also mean 'a room' or 'a compartment' in certain contexts, such as a 'box' or 'slot' in a grid.
- Beyond 'eating', the word کھانا is used in idioms to describe bribery, such as 'eating a bribe' (رشوت کھانا), meaning to take money illegally.
- In Urdu culture, offering کھانا to a guest is considered a sacred duty, and it is often seen as impolite to refuse food even if you are full.
Examples in context
- ہم رات کا کھانا باہر کھا رہے ہیں۔We are eating dinner outdoors.This sentence uses کھانا to describe an ongoing action of eating dinner.Tatoeba #2348080 by nabeel_tahir, translation #464344 by lukaszpp
- میں خوراک کھانے جا رہا ہوںI am going to eat food
- میں سادہ غذا کھاتا ہوںI eat plain food
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omar and Zainab are talking about their habits.
- عمر Omarکیا آپ کو رات کا کھانا پسند ہے؟Kya aap ko raat ka khana pasand hai?Do you like the dinner eating?
- زینب Zainabہاں، مجھے کھانا بہت پسند ہے۔Haan, mujhe khana bohat pasand hai.Yes, I love eating.
- عمر Omarآپ کیا کھانا پسند کریں گی؟Aap kya khana pasand karengi?What would you like to eat?
- زینب Zainabمجھے سبزی کھانا پسند ہے۔Mujhe sabzi khana pasand hai.I like eating vegetables.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry کھانا, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
