چھوٹا
choṭā/t͡ʃʰoː.ʈɑː/
The English word "short" translates to Urdu as چھوٹا (choṭā).
In Urdu, چھوٹا is used to describe both small size and short physical height or length. It can also be used to mean abrupt, brief, pointed or petulant.
Meaning: abrupt, brief, pointed, petulant (adj)
Which one should you use?
The opposite of چھوٹا is لمبا (lambā), which means long or tall.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form is چھوٹی (choṭī), and the masculine plural or respectful form is چھوٹے (choṭe).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /tʃʰoː.ʈɑː/. The word has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- If you are talking about a 'younger' brother or sister, you would use a form of چھوٹا (choṭā) rather than a word for physical height.
- The root of چھوٹا (choṭā) is linked to the Ashokan Prakrit word *choṭṭa, which was used in ancient inscriptions across the Indian subcontinent.
- Using the plural form چھوٹے (choṭe) is not just for multiple people but is a way to address a younger person with affection or familiarity.
Examples in context
- اُسکی قامت بہت چھوٹی ہے۔His stature is very short.
- یہ بہت چھوٹا اور تلخ جواب تھا۔Yeh bohat chota aur talkh jawab tha.It was a very short and blunt answer.
Example conversation
Zainab is talking to Ahmed about a message he sent.
- زینب Zainabاحمد، آپ کا پیغام بہت چھوٹا تھا۔Ahmed, aap ka paighaam bohat chhota tha.Ahmed, your message was very brief.
- احمد Ahmedمیں اس وقت کافی مصروف تھا۔Main us waqt kaafi masroof tha.I was quite busy at that time.
- زینب Zainabلیکن آپ کا انداز چھوٹا لگا۔Lekin aap ka andaz chhota laga.But your manner felt abrupt.
- احمد Ahmedمعاف کیجیے، میرا مطلب وہ نہیں تھا۔Maaf kijiye, mera matlab woh nahi tha.I am sorry, I didn't mean it that way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry چھوٹا, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries چھوٹا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
