'What' in Urdu is usually کیا (kya), but it can also be جو (jo) or کون سا (kaun sa). Learn pronunciation, each use with example sentences, common mistakes and related phrases like
Use of "what"UrduRoman Urdu Question wordکیاkya "The thing that" (relative)جو، جو کچھjo, jo kuch "Which" (what time, what colour)کون سا، کون سی، کیاkaun sa, kaun si, kya Surpriseکیا!kya!
English "what" is said wot (British) or wut (American). The Urdu word کیا is said kyaa, as one short syllable with a long "aa" at the end.
This is the most common use. In Urdu, کیا usually comes in the middle of the sentence, before the verb, not at the start as in English.
When "what" is not a question but means "the thing that", Urdu uses جو or جو کچھ. The second part of the sentence usually starts with وہ (that).
Before a noun, "what" often asks you to pick one thing. Urdu uses کون سا (masculine) or کون سی (feminine).
"What!" shows surprise or disbelief. Urdu uses کیا!
Putting کیا first every time. "What do you eat?" is تم کیا کھاتے ہو؟, not کیا تم کھاتے ہو؟.
EnglishUrduRoman Urdu What isکیا ہےkya hai What for? / Why?کس لیے؟kis liye?
All the details, documents and tips on Dareecha.