بائیں
baen
The Urdu word for left is بائیں (baen), specifically referring to the west side of the body when one is facing north.
The word is used as an adjective to indicate the direction or side that is left.
Meaning: west side of the body when one is facing north (adj)
Which one should you use?
While بائیں is the standard form, the phrases بائیں جانب and baaen taraf are also used to express the concept of 'left' in a more formal manner.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is baen.
Did you know?
- The phrase بائیں ہاتھ کا کھیل literally means 'a left hand's play' and is used as an idiom to describe a task that is incredibly easy to accomplish.
- In many South Asian cultures including those that speak Urdu, the بائیں or 'left' hand is traditionally reserved for unhygienic tasks and is considered improper for eating or greeting guests.
- The concept of 'left' is often associated with the word الٹے (ultay) in Urdu, which can also mean 'reversed' or 'wrong-handed' in a derogatory or unlucky sense.
Examples in context
- کتاب کی دکان سڑک کی بائیں جانب واقع ہے۔The bookstore is located on the left side of the street.
- بائیں ہاتھ سے لکھو۔bā'ẽ hāth se likho.Write with your left hand.
- اس کا بائیں بازو درد کر رہا ہے۔us kā bā'ẽ bāzu dard kar rahā hai.His left arm is hurting.
- بائیں طرف دیکھو۔bā'ẽ taraph dekho.Look to the left side.
Example conversation
Hamza and Fatima are looking at a map in a park.
- حمزہ Hamzaکیا تم بائیں طرف کا راستہ دیکھ سکتی ہو؟kyā tum bā'ẽ taraph kā rāsta dekh saktī ho?Can you see the path on the left side?
- فاطمہ Fatimaہاں، میں نے دیکھ لیا ہے۔hā'n, mai'n ne dekh liyā hai.Yes, I have seen it.
- حمزہ Hamzaہمیں اسی طرف جانا چاہیے۔hamẽ isi taraph jānā chāhiye.We should go in that direction.
- فاطمہ Fatimaٹھیک ہے، چلو چلتے ہیں۔ṭhīk hai, chalo calte hai'n.Okay, let's go.
