Language/Urdu/Grammar/Plurals-and-Gender

Urdu → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Plurals and Gender

Welcome to our lesson on "Plurals and Gender" in Urdu! Understanding how to form plurals and use gender correctly is essential for anyone looking to master the basics of the Urdu language. This topic not only lays the foundation for constructing sentences but also enriches your vocabulary and comprehension of the language. As we delve into this lesson, you'll see how plurals and gender play an integral role in everyday communication.

Importance of Plurals and Gender in Urdu

In Urdu, every noun has a gender, either masculine or feminine, and this gender affects how the noun is used in sentences. Additionally, the way we form plurals is also tied closely to gender. This means that understanding these concepts will help you communicate more accurately and effectively in Urdu. Moreover, it can help you avoid common pitfalls that learners often encounter.

Structure of the Lesson

In this lesson, we will cover the following key points:

• Understanding Gender in Urdu

• Forming Plurals

• Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Examples for Clarity

• Exercises for Practice

Understanding Gender in Urdu

In Urdu, every noun is categorized into two genders: Masculine and Feminine. This classification influences how we form sentences, select adjectives, and conjugate verbs. Let's explore this in more detail.

Masculine Nouns

Masculine nouns are those that are considered male or have a masculine connotation. Many masculine nouns end with the suffix "-ا" (aa). Here are a few examples:

Urdu	Pronunciation	English
لڑکا	larka	boy
مرد	mard	man
کتا	kuta	dog
درخت	darakht	tree
گھر	ghar	house

Feminine Nouns

Feminine nouns often end with the suffix "-ی" (i) or "-ہ" (ah). Here are some examples:

Urdu	Pronunciation	English
لڑکی	larki	girl
عورت	aurat	woman
بلی	billi	cat
کتاب	kitaab	book
پھول	phool	flower

Gender Agreement

In Urdu, the gender of nouns affects adjectives and verbs. For instance:

• A masculine noun will take masculine adjectives and verbs.

• A feminine noun will take feminine adjectives and verbs.

For example:

• Masculine: لڑکا اچھا ہے (larka acha hai) - The boy is nice.

• Feminine: لڑکی اچھی ہے (larki achi hai) - The girl is nice.

Forming Plurals

Now that we have a firm grasp on gender, let's move on to forming plurals in Urdu. The rules for forming plurals also depend on the gender of the noun.

Plural Formation for Masculine Nouns

Generally, to make a masculine noun plural, you add the suffix "-یں" (ain) or "-ے" (ay). Here are some examples:

Urdu	Pronunciation	English
لڑکے	larkay	boys
مرد	mard	men
کتوں	kuton	dogs
درخت	darakht	trees
گھروں	gharon	houses

Plural Formation for Feminine Nouns

For feminine nouns, the plural is usually formed by adding the suffix "-یں" (ain) or "-یں" (ay). Here are examples:

Urdu	Pronunciation	English
لڑکیاں	larkiyan	girls
عورتیں	auratein	women
بلیاں	billiyaan	cats
کتابیں	kitaabein	books
پھول	phool	flowers

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As a beginner, it's crucial to be aware of common mistakes learners make regarding gender and plural formation:

• Confusing masculine and feminine nouns.

• Incorrectly forming plurals by using the wrong suffix.

• Forgetting to match adjectives and verbs with the correct gender of nouns.

Examples for Clarity

To further illustrate the concepts of gender and plural formation, let’s look at 20 additional examples, categorized by gender and plural form.

Masculine Nouns and Their Plurals

Urdu	Pronunciation	English
استاد	ustaad	teacher
استاد	ustaad	teachers
لڑکے	larkay	boys
دکاندار	dukandaar	shopkeeper
دکاندار	dukandaar	shopkeepers
بچہ	bacha	child
بچے	bache	children
کتا	kuta	dog
کتے	kutay	dogs
آدمی	aadmi	man
مرد	mard	men

Feminine Nouns and Their Plurals

Urdu	Pronunciation	English
بیٹی	beti	daughter
بیٹیاں	betiyan	daughters
لڑکی	larki	girl
لڑکیاں	larkiyan	girls
خاتون	khatoon	lady
خواتین	khawatein	ladies
کتاب	kitaab	book
کتابیں	kitaabein	books
بلی	billi	cat
بلیاں	billiyaan	cats

Exercises for Practice

Now that you have a good understanding of gender and plural formation, it’s time to practice! Below are 10 exercises designed to reinforce what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Identify the Gender

Identify the gender of the following nouns. Write "Masculine" or "Feminine".

1. درخت

2. لڑکی

3. کتا

4. کتاب

5. عورت

Solution:

1. Masculine

2. Feminine

3. Masculine

4. Feminine

5. Feminine

Exercise 2: Form the Plural

Form the plural of the following nouns.

1. گھر

2. لڑکا

3. بلی

4. پھول

5. استاد

Solution:

1. گھروں (gharon)

2. لڑکے (larkay)

3. بلیاں (billiyaan)

4. پھول (phool)

5. استاد (ustaad)

Exercise 3: Match the Gender

Match the noun with its correct gender.

1. درخت

2. لڑکی

3. مرد

4. بلی

5. بچہ

Solution:

1. درخت - Masculine

2. لڑکی - Feminine

3. مرد - Masculine

4. بلی - Feminine

5. بچہ - Masculine

Exercise 4: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct plural form of the nouns.

1. لڑکے ______ ہیں۔ (larkay)

2. کتابیں ______ ہیں۔ (kitaabein)

3. پھول ______ ہیں۔ (phool)

4. بیٹیاں ______ ہیں۔ (betiyan)

5. کتے ______ ہیں۔ (kutay)

Solution:

1. لڑکے (larkay)

2. کتابیں (kitaabein)

3. پھول (phool)

4. بیٹیاں (betiyan)

5. کتے (kutay)

Exercise 5: Convert to Plural

Convert the following sentences into plural form.

1. لڑکا کھیلتا ہے۔

2. لڑکی پڑھتی ہے۔

3. استاد پڑھاتا ہے۔

4. بچہ سوتا ہے۔

5. کتا بھاگتا ہے۔

Solution:

1. لڑکے کھیلتے ہیں۔ (larkay khailte hain.)

2. لڑکیاں پڑھتی ہیں۔ (larkiyan parhti hain.)

3. استاد پڑھاتے ہیں۔ (ustaad parhaate hain.)

4. بچے سوتے ہیں۔ (bache soote hain.)

5. کتے بھاگتے ہیں۔ (kutay bhaagte hain.)

Exercise 6: Gender Identification

Identify the gender and form the plural of the following words.

1. پھول

2. کتاب

3. درخت

4. لڑکی

5. خاتون

Solution:

1. پھول - Masculine - پھول (phool)

2. کتاب - Feminine - کتابیں (kitaabein)

3. درخت - Masculine - درخت (darakht)

4. لڑکی - Feminine - لڑکیاں (larkiyan)

5. خاتون - Feminine - خواتین (khawatein)

Exercise 7: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

1. لڑکا اچھا ہیں۔

2. لڑکی اچھا ہے۔

3. مردیں جیتتے ہیں۔

4. بیٹی پڑھتا ہے۔

5. بلی اچھا ہے۔

Solution:

1. لڑکے اچھے ہیں۔ (larkay achay hain.)

2. لڑکی اچھی ہے۔ (larki achi hai.)

3. مرد جیتتے ہیں۔ (mard jeetay hain.)

4. بیٹی پڑھتی ہے۔ (beti parhti hai.)

5. بلی اچھی ہے۔ (billi achi hai.)

Exercise 8: Write Sentences

Write sentences using the following nouns, ensuring correct gender and pluralization.

1. لڑکے

2. لڑکی

3. کتابیں

4. درخت

5. پھول

Solution:

1. لڑکے کھیل رہے ہیں۔ (larkay khail rahe hain.)

2. لڑکیاں گانا گارہی ہیں۔ (larkiyan gaana gaa rahi hain.)

3. کتابیں دلچسپ ہیں۔ (kitaabein dilchasp hain.)

4. درخت بلند ہیں۔ (darakht buland hain.)

5. پھول خوشبو دار ہیں۔ (phool khushboo dar hain.)

Exercise 9: Create Your Own Sentences

Create your own sentences using the following pairs of nouns, making sure to use the correct forms.

1. لڑکا - لڑکی

2. گھر - گھر

3. مرد - عورت

4. بچہ - بچی

5. کتا - بلی

Solution: (Your own sentences will vary. Here’s an example for each.)

1. لڑکا اور لڑکی کھیل رہے ہیں۔ (larka aur larki khail rahe hain.)

2. گھر بڑا ہے۔ (ghar bara hai.)

3. مرد اور عورت بات کر رہے ہیں۔ (mard aur aurat baat kar rahe hain.)

4. بچہ اور بچی سوتے ہیں۔ (bacha aur bachi soote hain.)

5. کتا اور بلی بھاگتے ہیں۔ (kuta aur billi bhaagte hain.)

Exercise 10: Review and Reflect

Reflect on what you learned in this lesson. Write a short paragraph about the importance of understanding plurals and gender in Urdu.

Solution: (This will vary by student but should reflect an understanding of the topic.)

In conclusion, mastering plurals and gender is essential for effective communication in Urdu. It helps you connect words correctly and makes your Urdu sound more natural. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be able to express yourself fluently!

Table of Contents - Urdu Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Urdu Script

• Urdu Alphabet
• Connecting Letters

  ---

Basic Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Counting
• Days of the Week and Months

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Nouns and Pronouns
• Verbs and Tenses
• Adjectives and Adverbs

  ---

Everyday Vocabulary

• Colors and Shapes
• Food and Drinks
• Clothing and Accessories

  ---

Forming Questions and Negations

• Question Words
• Negation

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Directions and Locations

  ---

Urdu Culture and Traditions

• Festivals and Celebrations
• Urdu Literature and Poetry

Sources

• Automatic acquisition of Urdu nouns (along with gender and ...
• 2.6 Grammar: Gender and Number – Basic Urdu
• Urdu/Nouns - Wikibooks, open books for an open world
• Young, D (2016) Urdu vocabulary, script and grammar: A learner's ...

Other Lessons

• 0 to A1 Course
• Conditional Tenses
• Adjectives
• Verbs and Tenses
• Joining Sounds to Form Words
• Give your Opinion
• How to Use Be
• Pronouns
• Nouns