آداب
ādāb/ɑː.d̪ɑːb/
The English phrase 'namaste' can be expressed in Urdu as آداب (ādāb).
Meaning: a greeting (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ɑː.d̪ɑːb/ (two syllables: ā-dāb).
Did you know?
- The phrase آداب was actually a political invention by Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh, to foster unity between different religious groups.
- Unlike the physical gesture of joining hands used with 'namaste', 'آداب' is often accompanied by a slight bow or a graceful movement of the hand towards the forehead.
- Although many English speakers associate the term 'etiquette' with rules of behavior, the Urdu آداب is actually the plural form of the Arabic word for 'manners' or 'instructions'.
Examples in context
- انہوں نے بہت ادب سے آداب کہے۔unhon ne bohat adab se aadab kahe.They greeted with much politeness.
- سب کو آداب۔sab ko aadab.Greetings to everyone.
Example conversation
Hamza and Zainab meet at a formal gathering.
- حمزہ Hamzaآداب، زینب صاحبہ!Aadab, Zainab sahibah!Greetings, Ms. Zainab!
- زینب Zainabآداب، حمزہ صاحب!Aadab, Hamza sahib!Greetings, Mr. Hamza!
- حمزہ Hamzaآپ کیسی ہیں؟Aap kaisi hain?How are you?
- زینب Zainabمیں بالکل ٹھیک ہوں۔Main bilkul theek hoon.I am perfectly fine.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry آداب, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries آداب, CC BY-SA 4.0.
