Language/Urdu/Grammar/Negation-and-Question-Making

Urdu → Grammar → Negation and Question Making

As an experienced Urdu language teacher, I am delighted to introduce you to the third lesson in our Urdu Grammar series. In this module, we will be focusing on Negation and Question Making, which are essential aspects of any language. The goal of this lesson is to provide you with the necessary grammar rules and vocabulary needed to form negative sentences and question sentences correctly.

After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Passive Voice and Causative Verbs & Future Tense.

Negation

The first step in forming negative sentences in Urdu is to add the word "نہیں" (nahin) after the subject. The word "نہیں" (nahin) means "not" in English.

For example:

• "میں نہیں ہوں" (Main nahi hoon) means "I am not."
• "وہ نہیں آئے" (Woh nahi aye) means "He/She did not come."

In addition to adding "نہیں" (nahin) after the subject, you can also use other negative words to make negative sentences. Here are some common negative words in Urdu:

• "نہیں" (nahin) - not
• "کوئی نہیں" (koi nahi) - nobody/nothing
• "کبھی نہیں" (kabhi nahi) - never
• "کہیں نہیں" (kahin nahi) - nowhere
• "کچھ نہیں" (kuch nahi) - nothing

For example:

• "میں کچھ نہیں کھاتا" (Main kuch nahi khaata) means "I do not eat anything."
• "کبھی نہیں کرتا" (Kabhi nahi karta) means "I never do that."

To make negative sentences in the past tense, simply place "نہیں" (nahin) after the verb.

For example:

• "میں نے کھانا نہیں کھایا" (Main ne khana nahi khaya) means "I did not eat food."

Question Making

The basic structure for forming questions in Urdu is to start the sentence with the question word or particle. Some common question particles in Urdu are:

• "کیا" (kya) - Do/Did
• "کی" (ki) - What
• "کہاں" (kahaaN) - Where
• "کیسے" (kaise) - How
• "کتنے" (kitne) - How many

For example:

• "کیا آپ ہندی جانتے ہیں؟" (Kya aap Hindi jante hain?) means "Do you know Hindi?"
• "کہاں جا رہے ہیں؟" (Kahan ja rahe hain?) means "Where are you going?"

To form a yes or no question, use the word "کیا" (kya) at the beginning of the sentence.

For example:

• "کیا وہ آئے ہیں؟" (Kya woh aye hain?) means "Did he/she come?"

To form questions in the past tense, start the sentence with a question particle and add "کیا" (kya) before the verb.

For example:

• "کیا آپ نے کھانا کھایا؟" (Kya aap ne khana khaya?) means "Did you eat food?"

Examples

Here are some examples of negative sentences and question sentences in Urdu:

Urdu	Pronunciation	English
کیا آپ کچھ نہیں کھاتے؟	Kya aap kuch nahi khaate?	Do you not eat anything?
وہ کوئی نہیں ہے۔	Woh koi nahi hai.	He/She is not anybody.
کیا آپ کہیں نہیں جانتے؟	Kya aap kahin nahi jaante?	Do you not know anything?
کیا آپ نے پڑھا کہیں نہیں؟	Kya aap ne parha kahin nahi?	Did you not read anywhere?
کیا وہ کبھی نہیں آتا؟	Kya woh kabhi nahi aata?	Does he/she never come?

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the rules for Negation and Question Making is crucial if you want to become proficient in Urdu. In this lesson, we explored the basic grammar rules for forming negative sentences and questions in Urdu. With regular practice and diligent study, you'll soon find yourself forming sentences with ease.

Sources

• The Basics of Urdu Sentence Structure & Word Order
• NEGATION IN MODERN HINDI-URDU: THE DEVELOPMENT OF ...
• Urdu Negation: Learn How to Form Negative Sentences

Excellent job on conquering this lesson! Consider delving into these related pages: Interrogation & Give your Opinion.

Other Lessons

• Conditional Tenses
• Nouns
• 0 to A1 Course
• Interrogation
• How to Use Have
• Conditional Mood
• Give your Opinion
• Questions
• Passive Voice and Causative Verbs
• Adjectives and Adverbs