زَبان
zabānfeminine
The English word 'language' is translated into Urdu as زَبان (zabān). Wiktionary also lists زُبان (zubān) and بھاشا (bhāśā).
Meaning: body of words used as a form of communication (noun)
Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| زَبان | zabān | feminine | |
| زُبان | zubān | feminine | |
| بھاشا | bhāśā | /bʱɑː.ʃɑː/ (Standard, Urdu) | feminine |
| بولی | bolī | /boː.liː/ (Standard, Urdu) | feminine |
| لِسان | lisān | feminine |
The word زَبان is a polysemous noun that means both 'language' and the physical 'tongue' in the mouth.
Which one should you use?
While zabān refers to a formal language, بولی is used to refer to a specific dialect or a spoken vernacular.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the feminine noun زَبان is زبانیں.
How do you pronounce it?
zabān
Did you know?
- In Urdu, if someone is described as زبان دراز, it literally means 'long-tongued' but actually means they are rude or argumentative.
- In some Urdu contexts, زبان can also refer to a promise, as in 'giving one's word'.
- The word بھاشا is a learned borrowing from the Sanskrit word भाषा, showing how Urdu incorporates heavy vocabulary from ancient Indian linguistic roots.
Examples in context
- تم کونسی زبان بولتے ہو؟What language do you speak?
- اس کی پہلی زَبان اردو ہے۔is ki pehli zaban urdu hai.Her first language is Urdu.
- کیا آپ کوئی نئی زَبان سیکھ رہے ہیں؟kya aap koi nayi zaban seekh rahe hain?Are you learning a new language?
- وہ ایک مشکل زَبان بولتی ہے۔wo ek mushkil zaban bolti hai.She speaks a difficult language.
Example conversation
Omar and Fatima are discussing language learning at a cafe.
- عمر Omarفاطمہ، آپ کی پسندیدہ زَبان کون سی ہے؟fatima, aap ki pasandida zaban kaun si hai?Fatima, which is your favorite language?
- فاطمہ Fatimaمجھے اردو زَبان بہت پسند ہے۔mujhe urdu zaban bohat pasand hai.I like the Urdu language very much.
- عمر Omarیہ بہت خوبصورت زَبان ہے۔yeh bohat khubsurat zaban hai.It is a very beautiful language.
- فاطمہ Fatimaجی ہاں، بالکل۔ji haan, bilkul.Yes, exactly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “language” translations and entries بھاشا, بولی, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بھاشا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
