Lesson 2Alphabet & ScriptBeginner10 min
Urdu Alphabet Lesson 2: Jeem, Chay, Bari Hay and Khay
جیم، چے، بڑی حے، خےThe four letters in this lesson share one hook-like shape. Again, the dots are the key. One of them, خ, makes a sound that does not exist in English.
The letters
جJeem /d͡ʒ/
جہازJahaaz (Aeroplane)
چChey /t͡ʃ/
چاندChaand (Moon)
حHey /h/
حلوہHalwa (Sweet Dish)
خKhay /x/
خطKhat (Letter/Mail)
Tell them apart
| Letter | What to look for | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| ج | 1 dot inside | j as in jam |
| چ | 3 dots inside | ch as in chair |
| ح | no dots | h as in hat |
| خ | 1 dot above | kh, a rough sound from the back of the throat, like 'loch' in Scottish |
Words to read
آجaajtoday
تاجtaajcrown
جبjabwhen (as in 'when I came')
چپchupquiet, silent
چاچاchaachauncle (father's younger brother)
حجhajjthe pilgrimage to Makkah
Tips
- To practise خ, say 'k' but let air scrape through the back of your throat.
- ح has no dots at all. If you see no dots on this shape, it is ح.
- Tell children 'Chup!' means 'Be quiet!'. Everyday words stick fastest.
Practice
Choose the right answer. You will see the correct one straight away.