Urdu poetry, or Shayari, is renowned for its rich vocabulary and expressive depth. Many words, deeply rooted in Persian and Arabic traditions, lend a unique flavor to this art form. Here’s a glimpse into 205 such words that frequently grace the verses of Urdu Shayari, along with their meanings in English:
- Aahista – Gently
- Aarazoo – Desire
- Aks – Reflection
- Alfaaz – Set of words.
- Aashna – Companion
- Aaftaab – The Sun
- Ashq – Tears
- Afsaana – Tale
- Ayyaaar – Clever
- Aashiqi – Romance
- Aafreen – Alluring
- Aatish – Fire/ Flame
- Afsoon – Magic
- Arsh – Sky
- Alvida – Goodbye
- Aagosh – Embrace
- Alhada – To separate
- Bahaar – Springtime
- Bayhiss – Insensitive
- Badan – Body
- Bebaak – Bold
- Baade-e-saba – wind of morning
- Bandegi – devotion
- Bekhudi – selflessness
- Bebas – helpless
- Bayaan – statement
- Ba-dastoor – unaltered
- Baseerat – vision/ foresight
- Bayaabaan – wildness –
- Bohot aala – great
- Bewafa – faithless, treacherous
- Chaahat – want
- Chust – active
- Darmiyan – between/ near
- Dilchaspi – interest
- Deedar – to see
- Dastoor – rule
- Daur – age
- Dushawar – unattainable
- Diwaangi – madness
- Daleel – evidence
- Ehmiyat – importance
- Ehsaas – feeling
- Ehtiyaat – caution
- Eemaandar – honest
- Fakhr – proud
- Falsafa – philosophy
- Fanaa – end
- Farishta – angel
- Falaq – sky
- Faryaad – complaint
- Fitoor – obsession
- Firdous – paradise
- Faqat – only
- Garj – thunder
- Gehrai – depth
- Ghayrat – self-respect
- Guzaarish – request
- Guftgu – chitchat
- Gardish – bad time
- Gulshan – garden
- Galat fehmi – misunderstanding
- Gunah – offence
- Gair – non related/ outsider/stranger
- Haiseeyat – importance
- Hasi – laughter
- Haseen – beautiful
- Hassmuk – cheerful
- Hasrat – painful yearning
- Hayaa – modesty
- Hayaat – life
- Hayrat – shock
- Hunar – skill
- Hakikat – truth
- Hasrat – unfulfilled desire
- Humdum – intimate companion
- Hareef – rival/ opponent
- Itefaak – coincidence
- Ilm – knowledge
- Inaayat – blessing
- Ikhlaaz – sincerity
- Iltezaa – request
- Iqraar – to accept
- Inkaar – to reject
- Izhaar – to confess
- Iztiraab – restlessness
- Ibrat – an incidence that teaches us a lesson
- Ikhtiyar – power/control
- Jalaal – rage
- Jang – war
- Jannat – heaven
- Jazba – passion
- Jazbaat – emotion
- Jheel – lake
- Jism – body
- Justajoo – search
- Junoon – obsession
- Jahaan – Universe
- Kabar – grave
- Khafaa – unhappy / disappointed
- Khwaab – dream
- Khwabeeda – dreamy
- Khata – mistake
- Khumaar – intoxication
- Khayaal – thought
- Khairiyat? – how are you?
- Kashish – attraction
- Khursheed – the sun
- Keher – anger
- Khoobsurat – beautiful
- Lafz – words
- Lihaaz – respect
- Labb – lips
- Lehjaa – way of speaking
- Laazmi – necessary
- Maasoom – innocent
- Mayassar – available
- Muntazir – awaiting / expecting
- Musavvir – artist
- Maahataab – the moon
- Mukammal – complete
- Mukarrar – repeat
- Masroof – busy
- Mulakaat – meeting
- Mukhtasar – short/ brief
- Mazboor – helpless
- Manzeel – destination
- Makaam – place
- Mizaaz – mood
- Moajaza – miracle
- Musalsal – constant
- Mukhtalif – different
- Meherbaan – kind
- Mohataaz – dependent
- Noor – light/ radiance
- Nawaazish – kindness
- Nazaakat – delicate
- Nayaab – unique
- Naaz – pride
- Naaraaz – disappointed
- Nigahen – eyes
- Nazar – sight
- Nafrat – hatred
- Neem garam – warm
- Paakija – pure
- Pur ummeed – hopeful
- Purjosh – excited
- Paimana – scale
- Quinaat – Universe
- Qayaamat – end of the world
- Qurbat – closeness
- Qamar – moon
- Qalb – heart
- Qatra – drop
- Qaasid – messenger
- Rooh – soul
- Rayshami – silky
- Ruhaaniyat – soulfullness
- Rafique – friend
- Rashq – jealousy
- Raqs – dance
- Riwaayat – tradition
- Raftaar – pace
- Ranjish – anguish
- Raabta – an unknown yet strong connection
- Saahil – shore
- Seher – dawn
- Shahgird – student
- Silah – reward
- Sukoon – peace
- Shiddat – intensity
- Shabaab – youthfulness
- Shafaq – twilight
- Shaista – polite
- Sargoshi – whisper
- Shokhiyan – mischief
- Surmai – gray
- Tabassum – smile
- Tabahi – destruction
- Takalluf – formality
- Tanhaai – solitude
- Takhayyal – imagination
- Tasavvur – imagination
- Taskin – satisfaction
- Tamaam – whole
- Taqdeer – fate
- Tamanna – wish
- Taabir – interpretation
- Tadbeer – solution
- Tavaqqo – expectation
- Takabbur – arrogance
- Tawana – energetic
- Tarannum – melody
- Uns – love
- Ulfat – love
- Vasl – passion
- Waabastaa – related to
- Zaahir – apparent
- Zalzalaa – earthquake
- Zameer – conscience
- Zia – light
- Zulf – hair
- Zubaan – language/tongue
- Zarra – atom/particle
- Zeenat – decoration
This glossary provides a foundation for understanding the nuances of Urdu Shayari. By familiarizing yourself with these words, you can begin to appreciate the intricate beauty and emotional depth of this poetic tradition.
