واہ
vāh/ʋɑːɦ/
The English word 'wow' translates to the Urdu interjection واہ (vāh).
The interjection واہ is used to express admiration, appreciation or pleasant surprise, similar to the English words 'wow' or 'bravo'.
Meaning: amazement (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as vāh (/ʋɑːɦ/).
Did you know?
- In the context of Urdu poetry, واہ is not just an exclamation but a formal part of the performance. Audience members shout it to signal to the poet that a particular verse was exceptionally moving or clever.
- The word واہ entered the Urdu language via Classical Persian.
- Urdu speakers may combine واہ with بھئی to create واہ بھئی واہ. This phrasing is often used to express a mix of genuine surprise and slight disbelief at someone's audacity.
Examples in context
- آپ کی تجویز بہت خوبصورت ہے! واہ جی واہ!Your suggestion is very wonderful! Wow!
- تم نے وہ کام کیا؟ واہ بھائی!You did that work? Wow, dude!
- واہ جی واہ! آپ نے بہت خوبصورت تصویر کھینچی ہے۔Waah ji waah! You have taken a beautiful picture.
- واہ، یہ کتنا خوبصورت ہے!Wah, yeh kitna khoobsurat hai!Wow, this is so beautiful!
- واہ، تم نے بہت اچھا کام کیا۔Wah, tum ne bohat acha kaam kiya.Wow, you did a great job.
- واہ، یہ تو کمال ہو گیا۔Wah, yeh toh kamaal ho gaya.Wow, that was amazing.
Example conversation
Fatima shows Umar her new painting.
- عمر Omarفاطمہ، کیا تم نے یہ خود بنایا ہے؟Fatima, kya tum ne yeh khud banaya hai?Fatima, did you make this yourself?
- فاطمہ Fatimaجی ہاں، عمر۔Ji haan, Umar.Yes, Umar.
- عمر Omarواہ، یہ واقعی بہت پیاری ہے!Wah, yeh waqai bohat pyaari hai!Wow, it is truly lovely!
- فاطمہ Fatimaشکریہ!Shukriya!Thank you!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry واہ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries واہ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
