شاہی
śahī/ʃɑː.ɦiː/feminine
The English word "royal" is translated into Urdu as شاہی (śahī).
شاہی is an adjective used to describe things that are of or relate to a monarch or their family.
Meaning: of or relating to a monarch or his family (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from 'shah' (king) with the suffix '-i' which turns the noun into an adjective meaning 'pertaining to'.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʃɑː.ɦiː/. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- Urdu uses شاہ 'shah' as a title of respect for certain spiritual leaders or Sufi saints, giving the word شاہی a religious connotation beyond secular monarchy.
- The word شاہی is often used in Urdu cuisine to describe dishes that are rich and creamy, such as شاہی پنیر 'shahi paneer', rather than dishes actually served to a king.
- Because شاہی is derived from Persian, it carries a certain poetic and elevated weight in Urdu literature that a native word might not, often appearing in classical Ghazals to evoke a sense of grandeur.
Examples in context
- اس لباس میں تم بہت شاہی دکھتی ہو۔You look very regal in this outfit.
- یہ شاہی لباس بہت خوبصورت ہے۔yeh shahi libas bohat khubsurat hai.This royal attire is very beautiful.
- وہ شاہی خاندان سے تعلق رکھتی ہے۔woh shahi khandan se taluq rakhti hai.She belongs to a royal family.
- محل میں شاہی انداز ہے۔mahal mein shahi andaz hai.There is a royal style in the palace.
Example conversation
Hamza and Aisha are visiting a museum.
- حمزہ Hamzaعائشہ، یہ شاہی تاج دیکھو۔Aisha, yeh shahi taj dekho.Aisha, look at this royal crown.
- عائشہ Ayeshaیہ بہت خوبصورت ہے، حمزہ۔Yeh bahut khubsurat hai, Hamza.It is very beautiful, Hamza.
- حمزہ Hamzaیہ کس بادشاہ کا تھا؟Yeh kis badshah ka tha?Which king did this belong to?
- عائشہ Ayeshaمجھے معلوم نہیں ہے۔Mujhe maloom nahi hai.I do not know.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “royal” translations and entries شاہی, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
