Counting to ten in Urdu
One to ten, for prices, platforms, rooms and how many beers. Play the ten Urdu words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Urdu phrases in this lesson
- ایکAYK
- One
- دوDO
- Two
- تینTEEN
- Three
- چارCHAAR
- Four
- پانچPAANCH
- Five
- چھchheh
- Six
- ساتsaat
- Seven
- آٹھaath
- Eight
- نوnau
- Nine
- دسDUS
- Ten
The foundation of all transactions. Urdu uses a vigesimal-influenced counting system with unique words up to 99, so learning individual numbers by heart pays off quickly.
Short and easy. "Do chai" (two teas) or "do roti" (two breads) are among the most useful phrases at any dhaba.
Sounds similar to the English word "teen." Urdu shares some number sounds with Hindi, though the scripts differ entirely.
The "ch" is the same as in "chair." A long "aa" vowel in the middle. "Char log" means "four people," useful when reserving a table.
The final "ch" is clear and short. Prices in Pakistan are often rounded to fives and tens. "Paanch sau" means five hundred rupees.
"Dus" is the base for teens in Urdu. "Gyarah" (11), "barah" (12) are independent words, but knowing "dus" orients you. "Dus rupay" (ten rupees) is a phrase you will use often.