شِعْر
śi'rmasculine
The English phrase 'poetry' is translated into Urdu using several forms. If unsure, use شِعْر (śi'r). Wiktionary also lists نَظْم (nazm) and شاعِرِی (śā'irī).
Meaning: literature composed in verse (noun)
Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| شِعْر | śi'r | masculine |
| نَظْم | nazm | feminine |
| شاعِرِی | śā'irī | feminine |
Urdu uses different terms depending on whether you are discussing the abstract art of poetry, a specific poem or an individual line of verse.
Which one should you use?
While the general concept is 'poetry', شِعْر often refers specifically to a single verse or a single line of poetry. نَظْم is used to refer to a structured poem or a specific composition rather than the abstract concept.
How does it change in a sentence?
شِعْر is a masculine noun, while both نَظْم and شاعِرِی are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
śi'r
Did you know?
- In a traditional gathering called a mushaira, audiences do not just listen to poetry but actively participate by shouting waah or subhanallah to express instant admiration for a specific verse.
- In the context of Urdu poetry, the term takhallus refers to a pen name that a poet weaves into the final verse of a poem, effectively signing their work within the art itself.
- Much of classical Urdu poetry uses 'the beloved' as a double meaning, referring simultaneously to a romantic partner and to a divine presence or God.
Examples in context
- یہ ایک بہت خوبصورت شِعْر ہے۔yeh aik bohat khoobsurat shair hai.This is a very beautiful piece of poetry.
Example conversation
Hamza and Fatima are at a bookstore.
- حمزہ Hamzaفاطمہ، کیا آپ کو شِعْر پڑھنا پسند ہے؟Fatima, kya aap ko shair parhna pasand hai?Fatima, do you like reading poetry?
- فاطمہ Fatimaہاں حمزہ، مجھے شاعری بہت اچھی لگتی ہے۔Haan Hamza, mujhe shayari bohat achi lagti hai.Yes Hamza, I like poetry very much.
- حمزہ Hamzaمیں نے یہاں ایک نئی کتاب دیکھی ہے۔Main ne yahan ek nayi kitab dekhi hai.I saw a new book here.
- فاطمہ Fatimaچلو اسے مل کر پڑھتے ہیں۔Chalo isay mil kar parhte hain.Let's read it together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “poetry” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
