چاند
chāndstandard
The Urdu word for "moon" is چاند (chānd). It is also part of چاند رات (chānd rāt), the "moon night" before Eid.
Meaning: natural satellite of the Earth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| چاند | chānd | standard |
| چاند رات | chānd rāt | Pakistan, night before Eid |
The Islamic months follow the moon, so Pakistanis talk about چاند نظر آنا (chānd nazar ānā), "the moon being sighted", to start Ramadan and Eid.
When do people say it?
On چاند رات (chānd rāt), families shop, apply henna on hands and buy bangles. Poets also compare a beloved face to چاند (chānd), a very old image in Urdu verse.
Did you know?
- In Pakistan the start of Ramadan and Eid is announced after a committee sights the new moon, which is why چاند (chānd) is a headline word each year.
Examples in context
- آج چاند بہت خوبصورت ہےāj chānd bohat khūbsūrat haiThe moon is very beautiful today
- کل چاند رات ہےkal chānd rāt haiTomorrow is the night before Eid
Example conversation
On a rooftop in Lahore, a girl named Hira looks at the sky with her father Zafar.
- Hiraابو، آج چاند نظر آیا؟abbū, āj chānd nazar āyā?Dad, did the moon show up today?
- Zafarہاں، وہ دیکھو سامنے۔hāñ, woh dekho sāmne.Yes, look there in front.
- Hiraکل عید ہو گی!kal ʿīd ho gī!Tomorrow will be Eid!
