دینا
denā/d̪eː.nɑː/
In Urdu, the English verb 'give' is expressed as دینا (denā).
The verb is used to transfer the possession of something to someone else. As a transitive verb, دینا requires an object to complete its meaning.
Meaning: transfer the possession of something to someone else (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes according to aspect and subject. For example, the habitual or present simple form for a masculine singular subject is دیتا ہے. The present perfect form for a feminine subject is دی ہے. For commands, the informal imperative is دے, while the polite imperative is دیجیے.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as denā (/d̪eː.nɑː/). It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- The Sanskrit root of دینا is also found in the English word 'donation', linking the two languages through an ancient Indo-European connection.
- In Urdu, دینا is often used as a 'compound verb' to change the nuance of another action. For example, adding it to the word for 'to see' turns a simple observation into an intentional act of looking.
- The word دینا is used in the common phrase دعا دینا, which literally means 'to give a prayer' but translates to 'to bless someone'.
Examples in context
- دوست کو کتاب دے دو۔ (Dost ko kitaab de do.)Give the book to the friend.
- مجھے اپنا نمبر دے دو۔ (Mujhe apna number de do.)Give me your number.
- اس کتاب کو بچے کو دے دیں۔ (Is kitaab ko bachay ko de dein.)Give this book to the child.
- اس لڑکی کو اسٹکر دے دو۔ (Is larki ko sticker de do.)Give this girl a sticker.
- مجھے اپنی کتاب دینا۔mujhe apni kitab dena.Give me your book.
Example conversation
Sarah and Hamza are at home sharing some snacks.
- سارہ Saraحمزہ، مجھے وہ بسکٹ دینا۔Hamza, mujhe woh biscuit dena.Hamza, give me those biscuits.
- حمزہ Hamzaیہ لیں، میں آپ کو دے رہا ہوں۔Yeh lein, mein aap ko de raha hoon.Here they are, I am giving them to you.
- سارہ Saraشکریہ! کیا آپ مجھے پانی بھی دینا؟Shukriya! Kya aap mujhe paani bhi dena?Thanks! Will you give me some water too?
- حمزہ Hamzaجی بالکل، ابھی دیتا ہوں۔Ji bilkul, abhi deta hoon.Yes of course, I'll give it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “give” translations and entries دینا, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries دینا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
