شیر
sherstandard
The Urdu word for "lion" is شیر (sher). To be exact about the animal, some speakers say ببر شیر (babbar sher).
Meaning: big wild cat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شیر | sher | standard |
| ببر شیر | babbar sher | specific, lion |
شیر (sher) is also a word for bravery. People call a brave man شیر (sher), and the word is common in names such as Sher Khan.
Which one should you use?
ببر شیر (babbar sher) is the exact term when you need to tell the lion from other big cats, while plain شیر (sher) is what most people say.
Did you know?
- Pakistan's national animal is the markhor, a wild goat, not the lion, but شیر (sher) is still a popular name and nickname.
Examples in context
- شیر جنگل کا بادشاہ ہےsher jangal kā bādshāh haiThe lion is the king of the jungle
- چڑیا گھر میں شیر دیکھاchaṛiyā ghar meñ sher dekhāI saw a lion at the zoo
Example conversation
A mother, Nazia, takes her son Hadi to the zoo in Lahore.
- Hadiامی، وہ دیکھیں شیر!ammī, woh dekhiñ sher!Mom, look at that lion!
- Naziaہاں، کتنا بڑا ہے۔hāñ, kitnā baṛā hai.Yes, how big it is.
- Hadiاس کی دھاڑ بہت تیز ہے۔us kī dhāṛ bohat tez hai.Its roar is very loud.
