لال
lāl/lɑːl/
The English word red is translated into Urdu as لال (lāl). Wiktionary also lists سرخ (surx) and راتا (rātā).
Meaning: colour (noun)
Ways to say it
| Urdu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| لال | lāl | /lɑːl/ (Standard, Urdu) |
| سرخ | surx | /sʊɾx/ (Standard, Urdu) |
| راتا | rātā | /ɾɑː.t̪ɑː/ (Standard, Urdu) |
The primary meaning of لال is the color red. Beyond its use as a color, it can also be used metaphorically to mean a precious red gemstone (like a ruby) or something highly valuable. For a specific shade of deep red or crimson, the word قِرْمِز is used.
Which one should you use?
لال is the most common and everyday way to say the color red. In contrast, سرخ is a more formal and literary term. While both refer to the color, قِرْمِز refers specifically to a crimson or deep red shade.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
lāl (/lɑːl/)
Did you know?
- The formal word سرخ shares an ancient linguistic root with the word 'sugar' in Sanskrit, through the concept of 'brightness' or 'whiteness'.
- While لال is the most common word for red, it is also used as a term of endearment, similar to calling someone 'darling' or 'precious' because of its association with rubies.
- The word قِرْمِز is a loanword that sounds remarkably similar to the English word 'crimson', showing how much way certain colors travel through international trade and literature.
Examples in context
- اس کی ایک گاڑی نیلی ہے اور باقی لال ہیں۔One of her cars is blue and the others are red.This sentence shows how to use لال to describe the color of cars.Tatoeba #4269426 by nabeel_tahir, translation #1444870 by CM
- وہ کمزور تھا اور اُسکا چہرہ بھی سرخ تھاHe was weak, and his face was also red.
- یہ گلاب لال رنگ کا ہےThis rose is of red color.
- آج تو تیرا چہرہ سرخی سے چمک رہا ہےToday, your face is shining with redness.
- میرا پسندیدہ رنگ لال ہے۔mera pasandida rang lal hai.My favorite color is red.
- اس پھول کا رنگ لال ہے۔is phool ka rang lal hai.The color of this flower is red.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ali and Aisha are choosing a gift for a party.
- علی Aliعائشہ، کیا تمہیں یہ لال رنگ پسند ہے؟Aisha, kya tumhein yeh lal rang pasand hai?Aisha, do you like this red color?
- عائشہ Ayeshaہاں علی، یہ بہت خوبصورت ہے۔Haan Ali, yeh bahut khubsurat hai.Yes Ali, it is very beautiful.
- علی Aliکیا ہم یہ خرید لیں؟Kya hum yeh khareed lain?Should we buy this?
- عائشہ Ayeshaجی ہاں، یہ بہترین ہے۔Ji haan, yeh behtareen hai.Yes, it is excellent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “red” translations and entries لال, سرخ, راتا, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries راتا, سرخ, لال, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
