تَکْیَہ
takyamasculine
The English word "pillow" is translated into Urdu as تَکْیَہ (takya). Wiktionary also lists بالش (bāliś) and مسند (masnad).
Meaning: soft cushion used to support the head in bed (noun)
Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| تَکْیَہ | takya | masculine | |
| بالش | bāliś | /bɑː.lɪʃ/ (Standard, Urdu) | |
| مسند | masnad | ||
| سِرْہانَہ | sirhāna | masculine |
The term تَکْیَہ is the most versatile word and can be used in both spoken and written Urdu for a standard pillow.
What does it mean word for word?
The word سِرْہانَہ is derived from 'sir' (head), literally implying a place for the head.
Which one should you use?
مسند refers specifically to a large, formal bolster or a ceremonial cushion used for sitting, rather than a standard sleeping pillow. The word بالش is also a way to refer to a pillow.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms تَکْیَہ and سِرْہانَہ are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
takya
Did you know?
- The word بالش is a linguistic traveler that shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'bulge', both stemming from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to swell'.
- In many South Asian contexts, a مسند is not just a cushion but can refer to the actual throne or seat of authority in a formal setting.
- The word سِرْہانَہ is often used in traditional Urdu literature and poetry to evoke feelings of longing or loneliness, as the pillow is where one weeps or dreams.
Examples in context
- مجھے ایک نیا تَکْیَہ چاہیے۔mujhe ek naya takiya chahiye.I need a new pillow.
- تَکْیَہ بہت نرم ہے۔takiya bahut narm hai.The pillow is very soft.
- کیا آپ کے پاس ایک اضافی تَکْیَہ ہے؟kya aap ke paas ek izafi takiya hai?Do you have an extra pillow?
Example conversation
Ali and Zainab are preparing the guest room.
- علی Aliکیا کمرے میں کوئی تَکْیَہ ہے؟kya kamre mein koi takiya hai?Is there a pillow in the room?
- زینب Zainabجی، میں نے ایک تَکْیَہ رکھا ہے۔ji, maine ek takiya rakha hai.Yes, I have put a pillow there.
- علی Aliیہ تَکْیَہ کتنا آرام دہ ہے!yeh takiya kitna aaram deh hai!This pillow is so comfortable!
- زینب Zainabمجھے خوشی ہے کہ آپ کو یہ پسند آیا۔mujhe khushi hai ke aap ko yeh pasand aaya.I am glad you liked it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pillow” translations and entries بالش, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بالش, CC BY-SA 4.0.
