Getting around
بس
کہاں تک؟
Where to?
You hear this when the doors close or the next stop is called. It is written down too, so a missed word does not end the ride.
How the language is used
Urdu is the language of much public life. Government work uses English. Punjabi and Pashto are also present.
In this city
- Language
- Urdu
- Also heard
- English, Punjabi and Pashto
- A local word
- جی — Yes.
- Writing
- the Urdu script
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
The counter
دفتر
Good morning.
Good morning.
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
Food
دکان
ایک چائے.
One tea.
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
سڑک
السلام علیکم.
Hello.
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The language through the day
Urdu covers much of public life. You also hear English, Punjabi and Pashto.
Around F-6, Blue Area, Saidpur, this is the ordinary sound of the day.
A first day in Islamabad can run on four lines: “کہاں تک؟”, “Good morning.”, “ایک چائے.”, and “السلام علیکم.”. Each one is already a complete moment.
If you are new here
- Stops, prices, and shop signs are written in the Urdu script.
- آپ is the polite you. تم is closer.
- If a spoken line goes past you, read the screen or the board. In Islamabad, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: جی. It means Yes..
Places you can see
- Faisal Mosque — A tent-like mosque at the foot of the hills.
- Margalla Hills — A ridge and national park on the city's northern edge.
- Pakistan Monument — A petal-shaped monument on Shakarparian hill.
Food
Sector markets serve grills and dishes from several regions, and milky tea is the pause in the day.
Getting around
Wide avenues suit buses more than walking. Between sectors, you can use a taxi.
Daily life
Ministry files are often in English. Market talk is usually Urdu, with Punjabi and Pashto close by.
A few everyday phrases
Urdu
| Phrase | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| سلام | Salaam | Hello |
| شکریہ | Shukriya | Thank you |
| صبح بخیر | Subah bakhair | Good morning |
| میرا نام… ہے | Mera naam… hai | My name is… |
