Question words are the highest-value words in any language: seven of them unlock every conversation. Urdu's all start with k — and with 'kahāṉ hai?' you can find anything on Earth.
کیاkyā — whatAlso turns any sentence into a yes/no question — see the fun fact.
کونkaun — who
کہاںkahāṉ — whereThe single most useful question word for a traveller.
کبkab — when
کیوںkyūṉ — whyEvery Urdu-speaking toddler's favourite word.
کیسےkaise — how'Kaise haiṉ āp?' — another way to ask how someone is.
کتناkitnā — how muchYou met its plural 'kitne' at the bazaar in Level 5.
یہاںyahāṉ — here
وہاںwahāṉ — therekahāṉ–yahāṉ–wahāṉ: where–here–there. A rhyming set.
باتھ روم کہاں ہے؟bāthrūm kahāṉ hai? — Where is the bathroom?Pattern: ___ kahāṉ hai? = where is ___? Works for everything.
Good to know
✨ Start any statement with kyā and it becomes a yes/no question: “āp ṭhīk haiṉ” (you're fine) → “kyā āp ṭhīk haiṉ?” (are you fine?). One word, instant question — no rearranging like English.
✨ English question words cluster on wh- (who, what, where); Urdu's cluster on k- (kaun, kyā, kahāṉ). Same convergent evolution, different letter.
✨ The rhyme trio kahāṉ / yahāṉ / wahāṉ (where / here / there) is your free gift: learn one, get three.
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