دانت
daant
In Urdu, the English phrase teeth is translated as دانت (daant).
The term refers to the hard white structures in the mouth used for biting and chewing food.
Which one should you use?
The form دانت functions as both the singular 'tooth' and the plural 'teeth' when used in the direct case. However, if the word is followed by a postposition, such as 'of' or 'in', the oblique plural form is used instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word دانت can mean either a single tooth or multiple teeth in its direct form. When you use a postposition after the word, you must use the plural oblique form دانتوں.
How do you pronounce it?
daant
Did you know?
- The word دانت is a direct descendant of the Sanskrit word दन्त, making it a linguistic sibling to the English word 'tooth' via the ancient Proto-Indo-European root *h₃dónt-o-s.
- In Urdu poetry and literature, 'teeth' are often compared to 'pearls' using the word موتی, which is a standard romantic trope for describing a beautiful smile.
- There is a common Urdu expression about 'showing teeth' دانت دکھانا that can mean smiling, but in certain contexts, it can also imply a mocking or defiant grin.
Examples in context
- میں تمھارے دانتوں کے کچھ ایکس -رے لوں گا۔I'll take some X-rays of your teeth.This sentence shows how to use the word دانت when referring to X-rays of teeth.Tatoeba #1564754 by nabeel_tahir, translation #263589 by CK
- میرے دانت بہت سفید ہیں۔mere daant bahut safaid hain.My teeth are very white.
- اس کے دانتوں میں درد ہے۔us ke daanton mein dard hai.He has a pain in his teeth.
Example conversation
Ayesha and Ahmed are talking about a visit to the dentist.
- عائشہ Ayeshaاحمد، کیا تمہارے دانتوں میں درد ہے؟Ahmed, kya tumhare daanton mein dard hai?Ahmed, do you have pain in your teeth?
- احمد Ahmedہاں، عائشہ، مجھے دانت میں تکلیف ہو رہی ہے۔Haan, Ayesha, mujhe daant mein takleef ho rahi hai.Yes, Ayesha, my tooth is hurting.
- عائشہ Ayeshaتمہیں فوراً دانتوں کے ڈاکٹر کے پاس جانا چاہیے۔Tumhein fauran daanton ke doctor ke paas jaana chahiye.You should go to the dentist immediately.
- احمد Ahmedتم صحیح کہہ رہی ہو۔Tum sahi keh rahi ho.You are right.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries دانت, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
