Learn Urdu.
اردو
Learn Urdu with its Nastaliq script, rich literary tradition, and the Persianized vocabulary that makes it distinct from Hindi -- taught in a way that respects its cultural identity.
Start your Urdu courseWhy Urdu
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan and one of the scheduled languages of India, spoken by over 230 million people. It shares its grammar with Hindi but draws its literary vocabulary from Persian, Arabic, and Turkish, giving it a distinct character.
Urdu's literary tradition -- from the ghazals of Ghalib to modern prose -- is one of the richest in the world. For heritage speakers, or for anyone interested in South Asian culture, poetry, and history, Urdu offers a depth that transcends practical communication.
What makes Urdu challenging — and how Maia helps
Nastaliq script
Urdu is written in Nastaliq, a calligraphic form of the Arabic script that flows diagonally. Maia introduces the script with its distinctive letter forms and connecting rules.
Persianized vocabulary
While everyday Urdu and Hindi are mutually intelligible, formal Urdu draws heavily from Persian and Arabic. Maia teaches both registers and helps you navigate the spectrum.
Honorific complexity
Urdu has multiple levels of formality encoded in pronouns, verb forms, and vocabulary. Maia teaches these in social context so you know when to use tum vs. aap.
What your course includes
- •Lessons covering Nastaliq script through conversation
- •AI podcast episodes mixing Urdu and English
- •Script, vocabulary, and grammar exercises
- •Spaced repetition for every concept
- •Curriculum adapting to your goals and level
Sample lesson topics
- 1.The Urdu alphabet: Nastaliq letter forms and connections
- 2.Greetings: assalamu alaikum, shukriya, and everyday courtesy
- 3.Pronouns and formality: tum, aap, and when to use each
- 4.At the market: numbers, prices, and transactions
- 5.Present tense verbs and simple sentences
- 6.Telling time and making plans
Free to start. No credit card required.