Language/Urdu/Grammar/Negation-and-Question-Making
Welcome to this engaging lesson on "Negation and Question Making" in Urdu! Understanding how to form negative sentences and questions is essential for effective communication in any language, and Urdu is no exception. In this lesson, you will learn the foundational rules of negation and how to construct questions, which are vital skills for any beginner looking to become conversationally fluent.
In our journey through this lesson, we will explore:
- The Importance of Negation and Questions: Why these concepts are crucial in Urdu.
- Negation in Urdu: Understanding how to turn positive sentences into negative ones.
- Question Formation: Learning how to ask questions appropriately.
- Examples: A wealth of examples to illustrate each point.
- Practice Exercises: Hands-on exercises to solidify your understanding.
So, let’s dive in!
The Importance of Negation and Questions
In Urdu, just like in English, the ability to express negation and formulate questions is fundamental. Negation allows us to convey what is not happening or what is not true, while questions enable us to seek information, clarify doubts, and engage in meaningful conversations. Mastering these two aspects will not only enhance your conversational skills but also deepen your understanding of the language structure.
Negation in Urdu
Negating a sentence in Urdu is quite straightforward. The primary word used for negation is نہیں (nahi), which translates to "no" or "not" in English. It is placed before the verb in a sentence. Let’s look at how to negate different types of sentences.
Basic Structure of Negation
The basic structure for negation in Urdu is:
Subject + Verb + نہیں (nahi)
This structure helps you convert affirmative sentences into negative ones.
Examples of Negation
Here are some examples illustrating how to form negative sentences:
| Urdu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| میں جا رہا ہوں نہیں | Mai ja raha hoon nahi | I am not going |
| وہ کتاب نہیں پڑھتا | Woh kitaab nahi parhta | He does not read the book |
| تم خوش نہیں ہو | Tum khush nahi ho | You are not happy |
| ہم بازار نہیں جا رہے | Hum bazaar nahi ja rahe | We are not going to the market |
| یہ میرا کتا نہیں ہے | Yeh mera kutta nahi hai | This is not my dog |
| میں کھیل نہیں رہا | Mai khel nahi raha | I am not playing |
| وہ کھانا نہیں کھا رہا | Woh khana nahi kha raha | He is not eating food |
| آپ کام نہیں کر رہے | Aap kaam nahi kar rahe | You are not working |
| وہ باہر نہیں جا رہا | Woh bahar nahi ja raha | He is not going outside |
| یہ کام نہیں ہے | Yeh kaam nahi hai | This is not the work |
Notice how نہیں is used consistently to create negative forms of the sentences.
Question Formation in Urdu
Now that we have a grasp of negation, let’s move on to forming questions. Just like in English, questions in Urdu can be formed in various ways depending on what kind of information you are seeking.
Basic Structure of Questions
To create a question in Urdu, the typical structure is:
Question Word + Subject + Verb?
Common question words include:
- کون (koun): Who
- کیا (kya): What
- کہاں (kahan): Where
- کیوں (kyun): Why
- کیسے (kaise): How
- کتنا (kitna): How much/many
Examples of Question Formation
Let’s take a look at some examples of how to form questions:
| Urdu | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| آپ کون ہیں؟ | Aap koun hain? | Who are you? |
| آپ کیا کر رہے ہیں؟ | Aap kya kar rahe hain? | What are you doing? |
| وہ کہاں جا رہا ہے؟ | Woh kahan ja raha hai? | Where is he going? |
| تم کیوں رو رہے ہو؟ | Tum kyun ro rahe ho? | Why are you crying? |
| آپ کیسے ہیں؟ | Aap kaise hain? | How are you? |
| یہ کتا کتنا ہے؟ | Yeh kutta kitna hai? | How much is this dog? |
| وہ کتاب کیا ہے؟ | Woh kitaab kya hai? | What is that book? |
| تمہارے والد کہاں ہیں؟ | Tumhare walid kahan hain? | Where are your parents? |
| تم کیا چاہتے ہو؟ | Tum kya chahte ho? | What do you want? |
| آپ کو یہ کیوں پسند ہے؟ | Aap ko yeh kyun pasand hai? | Why do you like this? |
These examples illustrate how we can seamlessly ask questions in Urdu using various question words.
Practice Exercises
To help you reinforce what you have learned, here are some practice exercises. Work through them and check your answers!
Exercise 1: Negation
Convert the following sentences into negative form.
1. میں کھانا کھا رہا ہوں۔ (I am eating food.)
2. وہ کھیل رہا ہے۔ (He is playing.)
3. تم خوش ہو۔ (You are happy.)
4. ہم پڑھ رہے ہیں۔ (We are studying.)
5. یہ میرا کتا ہے۔ (This is my dog.)
Solutions:
1. میں کھانا نہیں کھا رہا ہوں۔ (Mai khana nahi kha raha hoon.)
2. وہ کھیل نہیں رہا ہے۔ (Woh khel nahi raha hai.)
3. تم خوش نہیں ہو۔ (Tum khush nahi ho.)
4. ہم پڑھ نہیں رہے ہیں۔ (Hum parh nahi rahe hain.)
5. یہ میرا کتا نہیں ہے۔ (Yeh mera kutta nahi hai.)
Exercise 2: Question Formation
Form questions based on the following statements.
1. وہ پڑھتا ہے۔ (He reads.)
2. تم بازار جا رہے ہو۔ (You are going to the market.)
3. یہ میرا دوست ہے۔ (This is my friend.)
4. آپ گھر ہیں۔ (You are at home.)
5. وہ کھانا بناتی ہے۔ (She cooks food.)
Solutions:
1. وہ کیا پڑھتا ہے؟ (Woh kya parhta hai?)
2. تم کہاں جا رہے ہو؟ (Tum kahan ja rahe ho?)
3. یہ کون ہے؟ (Yeh koun hai?)
4. آپ کب گھر ہیں؟ (Aap kab ghar hain?)
5. وہ کیا بناتی ہے؟ (Woh kya banati hai?)
Exercise 3: Combine Negation and Questions
Create questions that include negation.
1. کیا وہ کھانا نہیں کھا رہا؟ (Is he not eating food?)
2. تم کیوں نہیں آ رہے؟ (Why are you not coming?)
3. کیا آپ خوش نہیں ہیں؟ (Are you not happy?)
4. وہ کہاں نہیں جا رہی؟ (Where is she not going?)
5. آپ کا کیا حال ہے؟ (How are you?)
Solutions:
1. کیا وہ کھانا نہیں کھا رہا؟ (Kya woh khana nahi kha raha?)
2. تم کیوں نہیں آ رہے؟ (Tum kyun nahi aa rahe?)
3. کیا آپ خوش نہیں ہیں؟ (Kya aap khush nahi hain?)
4. وہ کہاں نہیں جا رہی؟ (Woh kahan nahi ja rahi?)
5. آپ کا کیا حال ہے؟ (Aap ka kya haal hai?)
Conclusion
In this lesson, we've explored the fundamental aspects of negation and question formation in Urdu. By understanding how to form negative sentences and questions, you can engage in more meaningful conversations and express a wider range of thoughts and inquiries. Remember, practice is key! Continue to use these structures in your daily conversations, and soon enough, they will become second nature to you.
Happy learning, and keep practicing!
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
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