Free Urdu Resources
Language learning can be daunting. We want to help you on your journey to communicating well in Urdu.
Choosing the right materials or resources make a huge difference when learning a foreign language, especially if you trying self-study. The good news is: There are some resources that can help you.
Free Urdu Resources Developed by Zubaan
Other Free Urdu Resources
Below are free Urdu resources, some of which we have reviewed, tested, and used in our Urdu language classes. If you find something especially helpful, please let us know! We try to update this list regularly.
Urdu Phrasebook – Wiki Voyage
A concise reference for Urdu letters, numbers, words, and phrases for a variety of situations.
Hangman Online Game
A fun way to practice the spelling of some basic vocabulary. You can choose a category (e.g. vegetables or cities) and
then practice both your spelling and basic vocabulary.
Free Listening Resources
Includes classical stories such as Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
UrduPod101
Short audio lessons for listening and review. Free trial available.
Audible Urdu Resources
Paid but sometimes free trials available.
Urdu Seekhiye
Learn the sound each letter makes in the Urdu alphabet, how to write it, and various words that begin with the letter.
Linguabridge Lucknow
StoryWeaver
BBC Urdu
For those who are not so interested in politics or current affairs, check out the “Science” Section for interesting articles. The website also includes videos, often with Urdu subtitles.
Deutsche Welle (DW) Urdu
Germany’s international broadcaster and one of the most successful and relevant international media outlets. They provide journalistic content in 32 languages, including Urdu.
PDF Books PK
Urdu Video List by Level (CEFR)
Urdu Dictionary Recommendations
Occasionally, we are asked for Urdu dictionary recommendations – see below:
URDU-ENGLISH
Oxford Urdu-English Dictionary: It is excellent but out-of-print and has been for some time. You may be able to find in a used bookstore in Pakistan or online.
New Millennium Kitabistan Composite Dictionary – B.A Qureshi: Large dictionary that you should be able to find in bookstores in Pakistan and online.
Glosbe: Online dictionary useful for looking up words quickly. Its strength is in providing example sentences from sources around the internet.
Rekhta Dictionary: Online dictionary focused on literature and poetry terms. Though it uses English-Urdu (and Hindi), it sometimes has Roman Urdu in its definitions, for example for the Word of the Day.
URDU-URDU
Feroz Ul Lughat – Ferozuddin: A print dictionary, but online access through Web Archives (see the link).
Urdu Lughat: Online and produced by the Urdu Dictionary Board in Pakistan.