یا
yā/jɑː/
The word یا (yā) is the Urdu way to say "or".
The conjunction یا is used to present alternatives or choices, similar to its use in English.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is yā. The IPA is /jɑː/.
Did you know?
- The word یا is a linguistic shape-shifter because it can function as both the conjunction 'or' and as a vocative particle used to call someone's name, such as 'O' in English.
- The word یا traveled from Arabic into Urdu through Classical Persian, reflecting how Persian acted as a literary bridge for many Arabic words entering South Asia.
- Urdu speakers sometimes use the phrase یا پھر to emphasize that the second option is a distinct alternative, adding the word پھر which normally means 'again'.
Examples in context
- عقل بڑی یا بھینس۔What's better, brains or brawn?This sentence illustrates the use of یا when comparing two qualities.Tatoeba #1566734 by nabeel_tahir, translation #13388046 by Roomba_Unit
- سانپ زندہ ہے یا مر گیا ہے؟Is the snake alive or dead?This sentence shows how یا is used to present a choice between two states of being.Tatoeba #1733375 by nabeel_tahir, translation #49936 by CK
- تم اکیلے ہو یا کسی کے ساتھ ہو؟Are you by yourself or with someone?This sentence demonstrates the use of یا to ask whether someone is alone or accompanied.Tatoeba #2104924 by nabeel_tahir, translation #1854840 by Tamy
- کیا آپ انگریزی یا ہندی بولتے ہیں؟Do you speak English or Hindi?
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Fatima and Umar are deciding what to drink at a cafe.
- فاطمہ Fatimaعمر، آپ چائے پیئیں گے یا کافی؟Umar, aap chai piyen ge ya coffee?Umar, will you drink tea or coffee?
- عمر Omarمیں کافی پیوں گا۔Mein coffee piyun ga.I will drink coffee.
- فاطمہ Fatimaٹھیک ہے، میں آپ کے لیے کیا لاؤں؟Theek hai, mein aap ke liye kya laun?Okay, what should I bring for you?
- عمر Omarصرف ایک کپ کافی لائیں۔Sirf ek cup coffee layein.Just bring one cup of coffee.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry یا, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries یا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
